# Patent

## Title
Method for manipulating and printing captured images

## Abstract

A method for conveniently applying various effects to a captured digital image is disclosed. A digital camera to carry out the method includes a reader to image manipulation instructions printed on a card and an image printer for printing manipulated images. The method involves reading the image manipulation instructions from the card and manipulating a pre-captured image on the basis of the instructions. Complex manipulations can be readily carried out by inserting a sequence of the cards in a particular order to apply a desired effect to the captured image. Once the desired image manipulations have been applied the manipulated image is printed out.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/666,495 filed on Sep. 22, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,324,142, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,790 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,008.
The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference. For the purposes of location and identification, U.S. patents/patent applications identified by their U.S. patent/patent application serial numbers are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patents/patent applications claim the right of priority.













US PATENT/PATENT



CROSS-REFERENCED
APPLICATION


AUSTRALIAN
(CLAIMING RIGHT OF


PROVISIONAL
PRIORITY FROM


PATENT
AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL
DOCKET


APPLICATION NO.
APPLICATION)
NO.







PO7991
6,750,901
ART01US


PO8505
6,476,863
ART02US


PO7988
6,788,336
ART03US


PO9395
6,322,181
ART04US


PO8017
6,597,817
ART06US


PO8014
6,227,648
ART07US


PO8025
6,727,948
ART08US


PO8032
6,690,419
ART09US


PO7999
6,727,951
ART10US


PO8030
6,196,541
ART13US


PO7997
6,195,150
ART15US


PO7979
6,362,868
ART16US


PO7978
6,831,681
ART18US


PO7982
6,431,669
ART19US


PO7989
6,362,869
ART20US


PO8019
6,472,052
ART21US


PO7980
6,356,715
ART22US


PO8018
6,894,694
ART24US


PO7938
6,636,216
ART25US


PO8016
6,366,693
ART26US


PO8024
6,329,990
ART27US


PO7939
6,459,495
ART29US


PO8501
6,137,500
ART30US


PO8500
6,690,416
ART31US


PO7987
7,050,143
ART32US


PO8022
6,398,328
ART33US


PO8497
7,110,024
ART34US


PO8020
6,431,704
ART38US


PO8504
6,879,341
ART42US


PO8000
6,415,054
ART43US


PO7934
6,665,454
ART45US


PO7990
6,542,645
ART46US


PO8499
6,486,886
ART47US


PO8502
6,381,361
ART48US


PO7981
6,317,192
ART50US


PO7986
6,850,274
ART51US


PO7983
09/113,054 
ART52US


PO8026
6,646,757
ART53US


PO8028
6,624,848
ART56US


PO9394
6,357,135
ART57US


PO9397
6,271,931
ART59US


PO9398
6,353,772
ART60US


PO9399
6,106,147
ART61US


PO9400
6,665,008
ART62US


PO9401
6,304,291
ART63US


PO9403
6,305,770
ART65US


PO9405
6,289,262
ART66US


PP0959
6,315,200
ART68US


PP1397
6,217,165
ART69US


PP2370
6,786,420
DOT01US


PO8003
6,350,023
Fluid01US


PO8005
6,318,849
Fluid02US


PO8066
6,227,652
IJ01US


PO8072
6,213,588
IJ02US


PO8040
6,213,589
IJ03US


PO8071
6,231,163
IJ04US


PO8047
6,247,795
IJ05US


PO8035
6,394,581
IJ06US


PO8044
6,244,691
IJ07US


PO8063
6,257,704
IJ08US


PO8057
6,416,168
IJ09US


PO8056
6,220,694
IJ10US


PO8069
6,257,705
IJ11US


PO8049
6,247,794
IJ12US


PO8036
6,234,610
IJ13US


PO8048
6,247,793
IJ14US


PO8070
6,264,306
IJ15US


PO8067
6,241,342
IJ16US


PO8001
6,247,792
IJ17US


PO8038
6,264,307
IJ18US


PO8033
6,254,220
IJ19US


PO8002
6,234,611
IJ20US


PO8068
6,302,528
IJ21US


PO8062
6,283.582
IJ22US


PO8034
6,239,821
IJ23US


PO8039
6,338,547
IJ24US


PO8041
6,247,796
IJ25US


PO8004
6,557,977
IJ26US


PO8037
6,390,603
IJ27US


PO8043
6,362,843
IJ28US


PO8042
6,293,653
IJ29US


PO8064
6,312,107
IJ30US


PO9389
6,227,653
IJ31US


PO9391
6,234,609
IJ32US


PP0888
6,238,040
IJ33US


PP0891
6,188,415
IJ34US


PP0890
6,227,654
IJ35US


PP0873
6,209,989
IJ36US


PP0993
6,247,791
IJ37US


PP0890
6,336,710
IJ38US


PP1398
6,217,153
IJ39US


PP2592
6,416,167
IJ40US


PP2593
6,243,113
IJ41US


PP3991
6,283,581
IJ42US


PP3987
6,247,790
IJ43US


PP3985
6,260,953
IJ44US


PP3983
6,267,469
IJ45US


PO7935
6,224,780
IJM01US


PO7936
6,235,212
IJM02US


PO7937
6,280,643
IJM03US


PO8061
6,284,147
IJM04US


PO8054
6,214,244
IJM05US


PO8065
6,071,750
IJM06US


PO8055
6,267,905
IJM07US


PO8053
6,251,298
IJM08US


PO8078
6,258,285
IJM09US


PO7933
6,225,138
IJM10US


PO7950
6,241,904
IJM11US


PO7949
6,299,786
IJM12US


PO8060
6,866,789
IJM13US


PO8059
6,231,773
IJM14US


PO8073
6,190,931
IJM15US


PO8076
6,248,249
IJM16US


PO8075
6,290,862
1JM17US


PO8079
6,241,906
IJM18US


PO8050
6,565,762
IJM19US


PO8052
6,241,905
IJM20US


PO7948
6,451,216
IJM21US


PO7951
6,231,772
IJM22US


PO8074
6,274,056
IJM23US


PO7941
6,290,861
IJM24US


PO8077
6,248,248
IJM25US


P08058
6,306,671
IJM26US


PO8051
6,331,258
IJM27US


PO8045
6,111,754
IJM28US


PO7952
6,294,101
IJM29US


PO8046
6,416,679
IJM30US


PO9390
6,264,849
IJM31US


PO9392
6,254,793
IJM32US


PP0889
6,235,211
IJM35US


PP0887
6,491,833
IJM36US


PP0882
6,264,850
IJM37US


PP0874
6,258,284
IJM38US


PP1396
6,312,615
IJM39US


PP3989
6,228,668
IJM40US


PP2591
6,180,427
IJM41US


PP3990
6,171,875
IJM42US


PP3986
6,267,904
IJM43US


PP3984
6,245,247
IJM44US


PP3982
6,315,914
IJM45US


PP0895
6,231,148
IR01US


PP0869
6,293,658
IR04US


PP0887
6,614,560
IR05US


PP0885
6,238,033
IR06US


PP0884
6,312,070
IR10US


PP0886
6,238,111
IR12US


PP0877
6,378,970
IR16US


PP0878
6,196,739
IR17US


PP0883
6,270,182
IR19US


PP0880
6,152,619
IR20US


PO8006
6,087,638
MEMS02US


PO8007
6,340,222
MEMS03US


PO8010
6,041,600
MEMS05US


PO8011
6,299,300
MEMS06US


PO7947
6,067,797
MEMS07US


PO7944
6,286,935
MEMS09US


PO7946
6,044,646
MEMS10US


PP0894
6,382,769
MEMS13US











STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the operation of a digital camera device for the production of useful effects. In particular, the present invention relates to the utilisation of special cards, hereinafter called “Meta-Artcards” which are adapted to be inserted into a camera device so as to produce new and unusual effects. In particular, there is provided an Artcard for the Control of the operation of a camera device.
BACKGROUND OF TEE INVENTION
In Australian provisional patent specification PO7991 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed 15 Jul. 1997 and Australian provisional patent specification PO8505 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed 11 Aug. 1997, filed by the present applicant in addition to a number of associated applications filed simultaneously therewith, there is disclosed a camera system able to print out images on demand through the utilisation of an internal print head and print roll having a print media film in addition to an internal ink supply for utilisation by said camera system.
The aforementioned specifications further disclose the utilisation of a series of cards, hereinafter known as “Artcards” which are adapted to be inserted into the camera device so as to produce significant visual effects to any images captured utilising the camera device. The effects are further designed to be printed out on demand utilising the integral internal print head of the camera device.
It would be advantageous to have a system which allowed for the effective servicing and diagnosis of faults which may occur in the aforementioned camera systems. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an alternative form for control of the camera which utilises the forgoing Artcard technologies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a series of meta cards which are adapted to uniquely control the operation of a camera device system such as that disclosed in the aforementioned patent specifications.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera system comprising an image sensor for sensing an image; storage means for storing the sensed image and associated system structures; data input means for the insertion of an image modification data module for modification of the sensed image; processor means interconnected to the image sensor, the storage means and the data input means for the control of the camera system in addition to the manipulation of the sensed image; printer means for printing out the sensed image on demand on print media supplied to the printer means; and a method of providing a camera control data module adapted to cause the processor means to modify the manner in which the digital camera system operates upon the insertion of further image modification data modules.
Preferably, the image modification data module comprises a card having the data encoded on the surface thereof and the data encoding is in the form of printing and the data input means includes an optical scanner for scanning a surface of the card. The modification of operation can include applying each image modification in turn of a series of inserted image modification modules to the same image in a cumulative manner.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic of the operation of an Artcam system;
FIG. 2 illustrates a first example modified operation of a Artcam system;
FIG. 3 illustrates a repetition card which modifies the operation of that Artcam device;
FIG. 4 illustrates a Artcard test card for modification of the operation of an Artcam device; and
FIG. 5 illustrates the output test results of an Artcam device.



DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PO7991 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed 15 Jul., 1997 with a large number of associated applications in addition to Australian Provisional patent Application No. PO 8505 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed 11th Aug., 1997, again with a number of associated applications.
The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.
The basics of the aforementioned Artcam arrangement are indicated in schematic form 1 in FIG. 1. The arrangement includes a CCD sensor 2 for sensing an image or scene. Additionally, an Artcard reader sensor 3 is provided for sensing the reading of an Artcard 8 upon which is encoded image manipulation algorithms for manipulation for the sensed image. Both the CCD sensor 2 and Artcard reader 3 are interconnected to an Artcard central processing unit (ACP) 4 which provides complex computational power for manipulation of the sensed image. Additionally, a memory unit 5 is provided for the storage of images, sensed data, programs etc. Interconnected to the ACP 4 is a print head 6 for the printing out of final photos 7 on print media supplied from an internal print roll.
In the preferred embodiments, a unique series of Artcards 8 are provided for insertion into Artcard reader 3 for the unique modified control of the Artcam central processor 4. A first example is as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and provides for the utilisation of multiple Artcards so as to provide overlapping or multiplicative image effects. A suitable replicative Artcard is as illustrated 10 in FIG. 3 which contains on one surface thereof instructions on how to operate the camera device so as to cause the effects to be combined. The Artcard 10 contains, on the second surface thereof, instructions for the operation of the Artcam device so as to cause the combining effect. Turning to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an example of the operation of the repetition card so as to produce combined effects. The Artcam system win have a sensed or stored image 12 of a particular scene. The first step is to insert a repetition card 13 which contains a code to modify the operation of the Artcam system so as to enter a repetition mode. Next, a first Artcard 14 is inserted in the Artcard reader which results in a first effect 15 being applied to the image in accordance with the instructions on the Artcard 14. Next, the repetition card is again inserted 16 followed by a second Artcard 17 which, produces a second effect 18 which can, for example, be the placement of a text message on the image 18. Next, the repetition card is again inserted 19 before a third Artcard 20 is inserted so as to provide a further effect in the image 21. The process of FIG. 2 can be iteratively continued in accordance with requirements so as to produce a desired output image. In this way, the apparatus of the aforementioned patent specification can be utilised with an increased flexibility for the production of combined effects from single effect Artcards. Further, the user interface provided is simple and effective for the production of combined effects. Of course, many modifications can be provided. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the repetition card may only be inserted once and then a series of Artcards is inserted subsequent to the repetition card being inserted with the system resilient after printout.
Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an alternative Artcard 30 which is provided for internal testing of the Artcam system. Each Artcam system can be provided with a number of internal test routines which are stored in the internal ROM of the Artcam system. The test can be accessed by specialised function calls in the interpretive language provided within the Artcam central processor. The routines can be Artcam device specific and can, for example, include:

    
    
        the printing out of test patterns to determine the operational state of the print head;
        the printing out of test patterns which result in the operational manipulation of the print head (for example, printing all black) so as to clean nozzles and to set up nozzle arrangements which result in improved operation of the print head;
        test patterns can be printed for later analysis so as to show the effectiveness of the operation of the print head;
        Turning to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an example test output 35 which can include various informative internal data 36 in addition to the printing out of test patterns 37. The test patterns 37 can later be examined by means of automated or manual methods to determine any problems which may exist with the camera system. The preferred embodiment can be implemented through the utilisation of hard wired software routines programmed in the Artcam device and stored in ROM memory.
    
    


Of course, many refinements can be envisaged in that the routines can be updated and changed from model to model and the number of tests is virtually unlimited. In this way, the operation of the camera device can be modified in accordance with the inserted card.
It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The pot embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
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 ink jet 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 ink jet 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 ink jet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200 nozzles.
Ideally, the ink jet 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 ink jet technologies have been created. The target feature include:

    
    
        low power (less than 10 Watts)
        high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)
        photograhic 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 ink jet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-five different ink jet 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 preset Assignee as set out in the list under the heading Cross References to Related Applications.
The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desk and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems
For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photograhic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallest print head designed is covered in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/112,764, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.
Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.
Tables of Drop-on-Demand Ink Jets
The present invention is useful in the field of digital printing, in particular, ink jet printing. A number of patent applications in this field were flied simultaneously and incorporated by cross reference.
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 ink jet 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 cleaning 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 ink jet 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. Forty-five such inkjet types were filed simultaneously to the present application.
Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from these forty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the forty-five examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available ink jet 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 simultaneously filed patent applications by the present applicant are listed by USSN numbers. In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.
Suitable applications for the inkjet technologies 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)












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Thermal
An electrothermal
Large force
High power
Canon Bubblejet 1979


bubble
heater heats the ink
generated
Ink carrier limited
Endo et al GB patent



to above boiling
Simple
to water
2,007,162



point, transferring
construction
Low efficiency
Xerox heater-in-pit



significant heat to
No moving
High temperatures
1990 Hawkins et al



the aqueous ink. A
parts
required
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181



bubble nucleates
Fast operation
High mechanical
Hewlett-Packard TIJ



and quickly forms,
Small chip area
stress
1982 Vaught et al U.S.



expelling the ink.
required for
Unusual materials
Pat. No. 4,490,728



The efficiency of the
actuator
required



process is low, with

Large drive



typically less than

transistors



0.05% of the

Cavitation causes



electrical energy

actuator failure



being transformed

Kogation reduces



into kinetic energy

bubble formation



of the drop.

Large print heads





are difficult to





fabricate


Piezo-
A piezoelectric
Low power
Very large area
Kyser et al U.S. Pat.


electric
crystal such as lead
consumption
required for
No. 3,946,398



lanthanum zirconate
Many ink types
actuator
Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.



(PZT) is electrically
can be used
Difficult to
3,683,212



activated, and either
Fast operation
integrate with
1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.



expands, shears, or
High efficiency
electronics
3,747,120



bends to apply

High voltage drive
Epson Stylus



pressure to the ink,

transistors
Tektronix



ejecting drops.

required
USSN 09/112,803





Full pagewidth





print heads





impractical due to





actuator size





Requires electrical





poling in high





field strengths





during





manufacture


Electro-
An electric field is
Low power
Low maximum
Seiko Epson, Usui et all


strictive
used to activate
consumption
strain (approx.
JP 253401/96



electrostriction in
Many ink types
0.01%)
USSN 09/112,803



relaxor materials
can be used
Large area



such as lead
Low thermal
required for



lanthanum zirconate
expansion
actuator due to



titanate (PLZT) or
Electric field
low strain



lead magnesium
strength
Response speed is



niobate (PMN).
required
marginal (~10 μs)




(approx. 3.5
High voltage drive




V/μm) can be
transistors




generated
required




without
Full pagewidth




difficulty
print heads




Does not
impractical due to




require
actuator size




electrical poling


Ferro-
An electric field is
Low power
Difficult to
USSN 09/112,803


electric
used to induce a
consumption
integrate with



phase transition
Many ink types
electronics



between the
can be used
Unusual materials



antiferroelectric
Fast operation
such as PLZSnT



(AFE) and
(<1 μs)
are required



ferroelectric (FE)
Relatively high
Actuators require



phase. Perovskite
longitudinal
a large area



materials such as tin
strain



modified lead
High efficiency



lanthanum zirconate
Electric field



titanate (PLZSnT)
strength of



exhibit large strains
around 3 V/μm



of up to 1%
can be readily



associated with the
provided



AFE to FE phase



transition.


Electro-
Conductive plates
Low power
Difficult to
USSN 09/112,787;


static
are separated by a
consumption
operate
09/112,803


plates
compressible or
Many ink types
electrostatic



fluid dielectric
can be used
devices in an



(usually air). Upon
Fast operation
aqueous



application of a

environment



voltage, the plates

The electrostatic



attract each other

actuator will



and displace ink,

normally need to



causing drop

be separated from



ejection. The

the ink



conductive plates

Very large area



may be in a comb or

required to



honeycomb

achieve high



structure, or stacked

forces



to increase the

High voltage drive



surface area and

transistors may be



therefore the force.

required





Full pagewidth





print heads are not





competitive due to





actuator size


Electro-
A strong electric
Low current
High voltage
1989 Saito et al, U.S.


static pull
field is applied to
consumption
required
Pat. No. 4,799,068


on ink
the ink, whereupon
Low
May be damaged
1989 Miura et al, U.S.



electrostatic
temperature
by sparks due to
Pat. No. 4,810,954



attraction

air breakdown
Tone-jet



accelerates the ink

Required field



towards the print

strength increases



medium.

as the drop size





decreases





High voltage drive





transistors





required





Electrostatic field





attracts dust


Permanent
An electromagnet
Low power
Complex
USSN 09/113,084;


magnet
directly attracts a
consumption
fabrication
09/112,779


electro-
permanent magnet,
Many ink types
Permanent


magnetic
displacing ink and
can be used
magnetic material



causing drop
Fast operation
such as



ejection. Rare earth
High efficiency
Neodymium Iron



magnets with a field
Easy extension
Boron (NdFeB)



strength around 1
from single
required.



Tesla can be used.
nozzles to
High local



Examples are:
pagewidth print
currents required



Samarium Cobalt
heads
Copper



(SaCo) and

metalization



magnetic materials

should be used for



in the neodymium

long



iron boron family

electromigration



(NdFeB,

lifetime and low



NdDyFeBNb,

resistivity



NdDyFeB, etc)

Pigmented inks





are usually





infeasible





Operating





temperature





limited to the





Curie temperature





(around 540 K)


Soft
A solenoid induced
Low power
Complex
USSN 09/112,751;


magnetic
a magnetic field in a
consumption
fabrication
09/113,097; 09/113,066;


core
soft magnetic core
Many ink types
Materials not
09/112,779; 09/113,061;


electro-
or yoke fabricated
can be used
usually present in
09/112,816; 09/112,772;


magnetic
from a ferrous
Fast operation
a CMOS fab such
09/112,815



material such as
High efficiency
as NiFe, CoNiFe,



electroplated iron
Easy extension
or CoFe are



alloys such as
from single
required



CoNiFe [1], CoFe,
nozzles to
High local



or NiFe alloys.
pagewidth print
currents required



Typically, the soft
heads
Copper



magnetic material is

metalization



in two parts, which

should be used for



are normally held

long



apart by a spring.

electromigration



When the solenoid

lifetime and low



is actuated, the two

resistivity



parts attract,

Electroplating is



displacing the ink.

required





High saturation





flux density is





required (2.0–2.1





T is achievable





with CoNiFe [1])


Lorenz
The Lorenz force
Low power
Force acts as a
USSN 09/113,099;


force
acting on a current
consumption
twisting motion
09/113,077; 09/112,818;



carrying wire in a
Many ink types
Typically, only a
09/112,819



magnetic field is
can be used
quarter of the



utilized.
Fast operation
solenoid length



This allows the
High efficiency
provides force in a



magnetic field to be
Easy extension
useful direction



supplied externally
from single
High local



to the print head, for
nozzles to
currents required



example with rare
pagewidth print
Copper



earth permanent
heads
metalization



magnets.

should be used for



Only the current

long



carrying wire need

electromigration



be fabricated on the

lifetime and low



print-head,

resistivity



simplifying

Pigmented inks



materials

are usually



requirements.

infeasible


Magneto-
The actuator uses
Many ink types
Force acts as a
Fischenbeck, U.S.


striction
the giant
can be used
twisting motion
Pat. No. 4,032,929



magnetostrictive
Fast operation
Unusual materials
USSN 09/113,121



effect of materials
Easy extension
such as Terfenol-



such as Terfenol-D
from single
D are required



(an alloy of terbium,
nozzles to
High local



dysprosium and iron
pagewidth print
currents required



developed at the
heads
Copper



Naval Ordnance
High force is
metalization



Laboratory, hence
available
should be used for



Ter-Fe-NOL). For

long



best efficiency, the

electromigration



actuator should be

lifetime and low



pre-stressed to

resistivity



approx. 8 MPa.

Pre-stressing may





be required


Surface
Ink under positive
Low power
Requires
Silverbrook, EP 0771


tension
pressure is held in a
consumption
supplementary
658 A2 and related


reduction
nozzle by surface
Simple
force to effect
patent applications



tension. The surface
construction
drop separation



tension of the ink is
No unusual
Requires special



reduced below the
materials
ink surfactants



bubble threshold,
required in
Speed may be



causing the ink to
fabrication
limited by



egress from the
High efficiency
surfactant



nozzle.
Easy extension
properties




from single




nozzles to




pagewidth print




heads


Viscosity
The ink viscosity is
Simple
Requires
Silverbrook, EP 0771


reduction
locally reduced to
construction
supplementary
658 A2 and related



select which drops
No unusual
force to effect
patent applications



are to be ejected. A
materials
drop separation



viscosity reduction
required in
Requires special



can be achieved
fabrication
ink viscosity



electrothermally
Easy extension
properties



with most inks, but
from single
High speed is



special inks can be
nozzles to
difficult to achieve



engineered for a
pagewidth print
Requires



100:1 viscosity
heads
oscillating ink



reduction.

pressure





A high





temperature





difference





(typically 80





degrees) is





required


Acoustic
An acoustic wave is
Can operate
Complex drive
1993 Hadimioglu et al,



generated and
without a nozzle
circuitry
EUP 550,192



focussed upon the
plate
Complex
1993 Elrod et al, EUP



drop ejection region.

fabrication
572,220





Low efficiency





Poor control of





drop position





Poor control of





drop volume


Thermo-
An actuator which
Low power
Efficient aqueous
USSN 09/112,802;


elastic
relies upon
consumption
operation requires
09/112,778; 09/112,815;


bend
differential thermal
Many ink types
a thermal insulator
09/113,096; 09/113,068;


actuator
expansion upon
can be used
on the hot side
09/113,095; 09/112,808;



Joule heating is
Simple planar
Corrosion
09/112,809; 09/112,780;



used.
fabrication
prevention can be
09/113,083; 09/112,793;




Small chip area
difficult
09/112,794; 09/113,128;




required for
Pigmented inks
09/113,127; 09/112,756;




each actuator
may be infeasible,
09/112,755; 09/112,754;




Fast operation
as pigment
09/112,811; 09/112,812;




High efficiency
particles may jam
09/112,813; 09/112,814;




CMOS
the bend actuator
09/112,764; 09/112,765;




compatible

09/112,767; 09/112,768




voltages and




currents




Standard




MEMS




processes can




be used




Easy extension




from single




nozzles to




pagewidth print




heads


High CTE
A material with a
High force can
Requires special
USSN 09/112,778;


thermo-
very high coefficient
be generated
material (e.g.
09/112,815; 09/113,096;


elastic
of thermal
Three methods
PTFE)
09/113,095; 09/112,808;


actuator
expansion (CTE)
of PTFE
Requires a PTFE
09/112,809; 09/112,780;



such as
deposition are
deposition
09/113,083; 09/112,793;



polytetrafluoroethylene
under
process, which is
09/112,794; 09/113,128;



(PTFE) is used.
development:
not yet standard in
09/113,127; 09/112,756;



As high CTE
chemical vapor
ULSI fabs
09/112,807; 09/112,806;



materials are usually
deposition
PTFE deposition
09/112,820



non-conductive, a
(CVD), spin
cannot be



heater fabricated
coating, and
followed with



from a conductive
evaporation
high temperature



material is
PTFE is a
(above 350° C.)



incorporated. A 50
candidate for
processing



μm long PTFE bend
low dielectric
Pigmented inks



actuator with
constant
may be infeasible,



polysilicon heater
insulation in
as pigment



and 15 mW power
ULSI
particles may jam



input can provide
Very low power
the bend actuator



180 μN force and 10
consumption



μm deflection.
Many ink types



Actuator motions
can be used



include:
Simple planar



Bend
fabrication



Push
Small chip area



Buckle
required for



Rotate
each actuator




Fast operation




High efficiency




CMOS




compatible




voltages and




currents




Easy extension




from single




nozzles to




pagewidth print




heads


Conduc-
A polymer with a
High force can
Requires special
USSN 09/113,083


tive
high coefficient of
be generated
materials


polymer
thermal expansion
Very low power
development


thermo-
(such as PTFE) is
consumption
(High CTE


elastic
doped with
Many ink types
conductive


actuator
conducting
can be used
polymer)



substances to
Simple planar
Requires a PTFE



increase its
fabrication
deposition



conductivity to
Small chip area
process, which is



about 3 orders of
required for
not yet standard in



magnitude below
each actuator
ULSI fabs



that of copper. The
Fast operation
PTFE deposition



conducting polymer
High efficiency
cannot be



expands when
CMOS
followed with



resistively heated.
compatible
high temperature



Examples of
voltages and
(above 350° C.)



conducting dopants
currents
processing



include:
Easy extension
Evaporation and



Carbon nanotubes
from single
CVD deposition



Metal fibers
nozzles to
techniques cannot



Conductive
pagewidth print
be used



polymers such as
heads
Pigmented inks



doped

may be infeasible,



polythiophene

as pigment



Carbon granules

particles may jam





the bend actuator


Shape
A shape memory
High force is
Fatigue limits
USSN 09/113,122


memory
alloy such as TiNi
available
maximum number


alloy
(also known as
(stresses of
of cycles



Nitinol - Nickel
hundreds of
Low strain (1%) is



Titanium alloy
MPa)
required to extend



developed at the
Large strain is
fatigue resistance



Naval Ordnance
available (more
Cycle rate limited



Laboratory) is
than 3%)
by heat removal



thermally switched
High corrosion
Requires unusual



between its weak
resistance
materials (TiNi)



martensitic state and
Simple
The latent heat of



its high stiffness
construction
transformation



austenic state. The
Easy extension
must be provided



shape of the actuator
from single
High current



in its martensitic
nozzles to
operation



state is deformed
pagewidth print
Requires pre-



relative to the
heads
stressing to distort



austenic shape. The
Low voltage
the martensitic



shape change causes
operation
state



ejection of a drop.


Linear
Linear magnetic
Linear Magnetic
Requires unusual
USSN 09/113,061


Magnetic
actuators include the
actuators can be
semiconductor


Actuator
Linear Induction
constructed with
materials such as



Actuator (LIA),
high thrust, long
soft magnetic



Linear Permanent
travel, and high
alloys (e.g.



Magnet
efficiency using
CoNiFe)



Synchronous
planar
Some varieties



Actuator (LPMSA),
semiconductor
also require



Linear Reluctance
fabrication
permanent



Synchronous
techniques
magnetic



Actuator (LRSA),
Long actuator
materials such as



Linear Switched
travel is
Neodymium iron



Reluctance Actuator
available
boron (NdFeB)



(LSRA), and the
Medium force is
Requires complex



Linear Stepper
available
multi-phase drive



Actuator (LSA).
Low voltage
circuitry




operation
High current





operation



















BASIC OPERATION MODE












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Actuator
This is the simplest
Simple
Drop repetition
Thermal ink jet


directly
mode of operation:
operation
rate is usually
Piezoelectric ink jet


pushes ink
the actuator directly
No external
limited to around
USSN 09/112,751;



supplies sufficient
fields required
10 kHz.
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



kinetic energy to
Satellite drops
However, this is
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



expel the drop. The
can be avoided
not fundamental
09/113,099; 09/113,084;



drop must have a
if drop velocity
to the method,
09/112,778; 09/113,077;



sufficient velocity to
is less than 4
but is related to
09/113,061; 09/112,816;



overcome the
m/s
the refill method
09/112,819; 09/113,095;



surface tension.
Can be efficient,
normally used
09/112,809; 09/112,780;




depending upon
All of the drop
09/113,083; 09/113,121;




the actuator
kinetic energy
09/113,122; 09/112,793;




used
must be provided
09/112,794; 09/113,128;





by the actuator
09/113,127; 09/112,756;





Satellite drops
09/112,755; 09/112,754;





usually form if
09/112,811; 09/112,812;





drop velocity is
09/112,813; 09/112,814;





greater than 4.5
09/112,764; 09/112,765;





m/s
09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820


Proximity
The drops to be
Very simple
Requires close
Silverbrook, EP 0771



printed are selected
print head
proximity
658 A2 and related



by some manner
fabrication can
between the print
patent applications



(e.g. thermally
be used
head and the



induced surface
The drop
print media or



tension reduction of
selection means
transfer roller



pressurized ink).
does not need to
May require two



Selected drops are
provide the
print heads



separated from the
energy required
printing alternate



ink in the nozzle by
to separate the
rows of the



contact with the
drop from the
image



print medium or a
nozzle
Monolithic color



transfer roller.

print heads are





difficult


Electro-
The drops to be
Very simple
Requires very
Silverbrook, EP 0771


static pull
printed are selected
print head
high electrostatic
658 A2 and related


on ink
by some manner
fabrication can
field
patent applications



(e.g. thermally
be used
Electrostatic field
Tone-Jet



induced surface
The drop
for small nozzle



tension reduction of
selection means
sizes is above air



pressurized ink).
does not need to
breakdown



Selected drops are
provide the
Electrostatic field



separated from the
energy required
may attract dust



ink in the nozzle by
to separate the



a strong electric
drop from the



field.
nozzle


Magnetic
The drops to be
Very simple
Requires
Silverbrook, EP 0771


pull on ink
printed are selected
print head
magnetic ink
658 A2 and related



by some manner
fabrication can
Ink colors other
patent applications



(e.g. thermally
be used
than black are



induced surface
The drop
difficult



tension reduction of
selection means
Requires very



pressurized ink).
does not need to
high magnetic



Selected drops are
provide the
fields



separated from the
energy required



ink in the nozzle by
to separate the



a strong magnetic
drop from the



field acting on the
nozzle



magnetic ink.


Shutter
The actuator moves
High speed
Moving parts are
USSN 09/112,818;



a shutter to block
(>50 kHz)
required
09/112,815; 09/112,808



ink flow to the
operation can be
Requires ink



nozzle. The ink
achieved due to
pressure



pressure is pulsed at
reduced refill
modulator



a multiple of the
time
Friction and wear



drop ejection
Drop timing can
must be



frequency.
be very accurate
considered




The actuator
Stiction is




energy can be
possible




very low


Shuttered
The actuator moves
Actuators with
Moving parts are
USSN 09/113,066;


grill
a shutter to block
small travel can
required
09/112,772; 09/113,096;



ink flow through a
be used
Requires ink
09/113,068



grill to the nozzle.
Actuators with
pressure



The shutter
small force can
modulator



movement need
be used
Friction and wear



only be equal to the
High speed
must be



width of the grill
(>50 kHz)
considered



holes.
operation can be
Stiction is




achieved
possible


Pulsed
A pulsed magnetic
Extremely low
Requires an
USSN 09/112,779


magnetic
field attracts an ‘ink
energy
external pulsed


pull on ink
pusher’ at the drop
operation is
magnetic field


pusher
ejection frequency.
possible
Requires special



An actuator controls
No heat
materials for both



a catch, which
dissipation
the actuator and



prevents the ink
problems
the ink pusher



pusher from moving

Complex



when a drop is not

construction



to be ejected.



















AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES)












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















None
The actuator directly
Simplicity of
Drop ejection
Most ink jets, including



fires the ink drop,
construction
energy must be
piezoelectric and thermal



and there is no
Simplicity of
supplied by
bubble.



external field or
operation
individual nozzle
USSN 09/112,751;



other mechanism
Small physical
actuator
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



required.
size

09/112,803; 09/113,097;






09/113,084; 09/113,078;






09/113,077; 09/113,061;






09/112,816; 09/113,095;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820


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


ink
oscillates, providing
pressure can
ink pressure
658 A2 and related


pressure
much of the drop
provide a refill
oscillator
patent applications


(including
ejection energy. The
pulse, allowing
Ink pressure
USSN 09/113,066;


acoustic
actuator selects
higher operating
phase and
09/112,818; 09/112,772;


stimu-
which drops are to
speed
amplitude must
09/112,815; 09/113,096;


lation)
be fired by
The actuators
be carefully
09/113,068; 09/112,808



selectively blocking
may operate
controlled



or enabling nozzles.
with much
Acoustic



The ink pressure
lower energy
reflections in the



oscillation may be
Acoustic lenses
ink chamber



achieved by
can be used to
must be designed



vibrating the print
focus the sound
for



head, or preferably
on the nozzles



by an actuator in the



ink supply.


Media
The print head is
Low power
Precision
Silverbrook, EP 0771


proximity
placed in close
High accuracy
assembly
658 A2 and related



proximity to the
Simple print
required
patent applications



print medium.
head
Paper fibers may



Selected drops
construction
cause problems



protrude from the

Cannot print on



print head further

rough substrates



than unselected



drops, and contact



the print medium.



The drop soaks into



the medium fast



enough to cause



drop separation.


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


roller
a transfer roller
Wide range of
Expensive
658 A2 and related



instead of straight to
print substrates
Complex
patent applications



the print medium. A
can be used
construction
Tektronix hot melt



transfer roller can
Ink can be dried

piezoelectric ink jet



also be used for
on the transfer

Any of USSN



proximity drop
roller

09/112,751; 09/112,787;



separation.


09/112,802; 09/112,803;






09/113,097; 09/113,099;






09/113,084; 09/113,066;






09/112,778; 09/112,779;






09/113,077; 09/113,061;






09/112,818; 09/112,816;






09/112,772; 09/112,819;






09/112,815; 09/113,096;






09/113,068; 09/113,095;






09/112,808; 09/112,809;






09/112,780; 09/113,083;






09/113,121; 09/113,122;






09/112,793; 09/112,794;






09/113,128; 09/113,127;






09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,812; 09/112,813;






09/112,814; 09/112,764;






09/112,765; 09/112,767;






09/112,768; 09/112,807;






09/112,806; 09/112,820;






09/112,821


Electro-
An electric field is
Low power
Field strength
Silverbrook, EP 0771


static
used to accelerate
Simple print
required for
658 A2 and related



selected drops
head
separation of
patent applications



towards the print
construction
small drops is
Tone-Jet



medium.

near or above air





breakdown


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


magnetic
used to accelerate
Simple print
magnetic ink
658 A2 and related


field
selected drops of
head
Requires strong
patent applications



magnetic ink
construction
magnetic field



towards the print



medium.


Cross
The print head is
Does not
Requires external
USSN 09/113,099;


magnetic
placed in a constant
require
magnet
09/112,819


field
magnetic field. The
magnetic
Current densities



Lorenz force in a
materials to be
may be high,



current carrying
integrated in the
resulting in



wire is used to move
print head
electromigration



the actuator.
manufacturing
problems




process


Pulsed
A pulsed magnetic
Very low power
Complex print
USSN 09/112,779


magnetic
field is used to
operation is
head construction


field
cyclically attract a
possible
Magnetic



paddle, which
Small print head
materials



pushes on the ink. A
size
required in print



small actuator

head



moves a catch,



which selectively



prevents the paddle



from moving.



















ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















None
No actuator
Operational
Many actuator
Thermal Bubble InkJet



mechanical
simplicity
mechanisms
USSN 09/112,751;



amplification is

have
09/112,787; 09/113,099;



used. The actuator

insufficient
09/113,084; 09/112,819;



directly drives the

travel, or
09/113,121; 09/113,122



drop ejection

insufficient



process.

force, to





efficiently drive





the drop





ejection process


Differential
An actuator material
Provides greater
High stresses
Piezoelectric


expansion
expands more on
travel in a
are involved
USSN 09/112,802;


bend
one side than on the
reduced print
Care must be
09/112,778; 09/112,815;


actuator
other. The
head area
taken that the
09/113,096; 09/113,068;



expansion may be

materials do not
09/113,095; 09/112,808;



thermal,

delaminate
09/112,809; 09/112,780;



piezoelectric,

Residual bend
09/113,083; 09/112,793;



magnetostrictive, or

resulting from
09/113,128; 09/113,127;



other mechanism.

high
09/112,756; 09/112,755;



The bend actuator

temperature or
09/112,754; 09/112,811;



converts a high

high stress
09/112,812; 09/112,813;



force low travel

during
09/112,814; 09/112,764;



actuator mechanism

formation
09/112,765; 09/112,767;



to high travel, lower


09/112,768; 09/112,807;



force mechanism.


09/112,806; 09/112,820


Transient
A trilayer bend
Very good
High stresses
USSN 09/112,767;


bend
actuator where the
temperature
are involved
09/112,768


actuator
two outside layers
stability
Care must be



are identical. This
High speed, as a
taken that the



cancels bend due to
new drop can be
materials do not



ambient temperature
fired before heat
delaminate



and residual stress.
dissipates



The actuator only
Cancels residual



responds to transient
stress of



heating of one side
formation



or the other.


Reverse
The actuator loads a
Better coupling
Fabrication
USSN 09/113,097;


spring
spring. When the
to the ink
complexity
09/113,077



actuator is turned

High stress in



off, the spring

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.


Actuator
A series of thin
Increased travel
Increased
Some piezoelectric ink


stack
actuators are
Reduced drive
fabrication
jets



stacked. This can be
voltage
complexity
USSN 09/112,803



appropriate where

Increased



actuators require

possibility of



high electric field

short circuits



strength, such as

due to pinholes



electrostatic and



piezoelectric



actuators.


Multiple
Multiple smaller
Increases the
Actuator forces
USSN 09/113,061;


actuators
actuators are used
force available
may not add
09/112,818; 09/113,096;



simultaneously to
from an actuator
linearly,
09/113,095; 09/112,809;



move the ink. Each
Multiple
reducing
09/112,794; 09/112,807;



actuator need
actuators can be
efficiency
09/112,806



provide only a
positioned to



portion of the force
control ink flow



required.
accurately


Linear
A linear spring is
Matches low
Requires print
USSN 09/112,772


Spring
used to transform a
travel actuator
head area for



motion with small
with higher
the spring



travel and high force
travel



into a longer travel,
requirements



lower force motion.
Non-contact




method of




motion




transformation


Coiled
A bend actuator is
Increases travel
Generally
USSN 09/112,815;


actuator
coiled to provide
Reduces chip
restricted to
09/112,808; 09/112,811;



greater travel in a
area
planar
09/112,812



reduced chip area.
Planar
implementations




implementations
due to extreme




are relatively
fabrication




easy to
difficulty in




fabricate.
other





orientations.


Flexure
A bend actuator has
Simple means
Care must be
USSN 09/112,779;


bend
a small region near
of increasing
taken not to
09/113,068; 09/112,754


actuator
the fixture point,
travel of a bend
exceed the



which flexes much
actuator
elastic limit in



more readily than

the flexure area



the remainder of the

Stress



actuator. The

distribution is



actuator flexing is

very uneven



effectively

Difficult to



converted from an

accurately



even coiling to an

model with



angular bend,

finite element



resulting in greater

analysis



travel of the actuator



tip.


Catch
The actuator
Very low
Complex
USSN 09/112,779



controls a small
actuator energy
construction



catch. The catch
Very small
Requires



either enables or
actuator size
external force



disables movement

Unsuitable for



of an ink pusher that

pigmented inks



is controlled in a



bulk manner.


Gears
Gears can be used to
Low force, low
Moving parts
USSN 09/112,818



increase travel at the
travel actuators
are required



expense of duration.
can be used
Several actuator



Circular gears, rack
Can be
cycles are



and pinion, ratchets,
fabricated using
required



and other gearing
standard surface
More complex



methods can be
MEMS
drive electronics



used.
processes
Complex





construction





Friction,





friction, and





wear are





possible


Buckle
A buckle plate can
Very fast
Must stay
S. Hirata et al, “An Ink-jet


plate
be used to change a
movement
within elastic
Head Using Diaphragm



slow actuator into a
achievable
limits of the
Microactuator”, Proc.



fast motion. It can

materials for
IEEE MEMS, Feb. 1996,



also convert a high

long device life
pp 418–423.



force, low travel

High stresses
USSN 09/113,096;



actuator into a high

involved
09/112,793



travel, medium force

Generally high



motion.

power





requirement


Tapered
A tapered magnetic
Linearizes the
Complex
USSN 09/112,816


magnetic
pole can increase
magnetic
construction


pole
travel at the expense
force/distance



of force.
curve


Lever
A lever and fulcrum
Matches low
High stress
USSN 09/112,755;



is used to transform
travel actuator
around the
09/112,813; 09/112,814



a motion with small
with higher
fulcrum



travel and high force
travel



into a motion with
requirements



longer travel and
Fulcrum area



lower force. The
has no linear



lever can also
movement, and



reverse the direction
can be used for



of travel.
a fluid seal


Rotary
The actuator is
High
Complex
USSN 09/112,794


impeller
connected to a
mechanical
construction



rotary impeller. A
advantage
Unsuitable for



small angular
The ratio of
pigmented inks



deflection of the
force to travel



actuator results in a
of the actuator



rotation of the
can be matched



impeller vanes,
to the nozzle



which push the ink
requirements by



against stationary
varying the



vanes and out of the
number of



nozzle.
impeller vanes


Acoustic
A refractive or
No moving
Large area
1993 Hadimioglu et al,


lens
diffractive (e.g. zone
parts
required
EUP 550,192



plate) acoustic lens

Only relevant
1993 Elrod et al, EUP



is used to

for acoustic ink
572,220



concentrate sound

jets



waves.


Sharp
A sharp point is
Simple
Difficult to
Tone-jet


conductive
used to concentrate
construction
fabricate using


point
an electrostatic field.

standard VLSI





processes for a





surface ejecting





ink-jet





Only relevant





for electrostatic





ink jets



















ACTUATOR MOTION












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Volume
The volume of the
Simple
High energy is
Hewlett-Packard Thermal


expansion
actuator changes,
construction in
typically
InkJet



pushing the ink in
the case of
required to
Canon Bubblejet



all directions.
thermal ink jet
achieve volume





expansion. This





leads to thermal





stress,





cavitation, and





kogation in





thermal ink jet





implementations


Linear,
The actuator moves
Efficient
High fabrication
USSN 09/112,751;


normal to
in a direction normal
coupling to ink
complexity may
09/112,787; 09/112,803;


chip
to the print head
drops ejected
be required to
09/113,084; 09/113,077;


surface
surface. The nozzle
normal to the
achieve
09/112,816



is typically in the
surface
perpendicular



line of movement.

motion


Parallel to
The actuator moves
Suitable for
Fabrication
USSN 09/113,061;


chip
parallel to the print
planar
complexity
09/112,818; 09/112,772;


surface
head surface. Drop
fabrication
Friction
09/112,754; 09/112,811;



ejection may still be

Stiction
09/112,812; 09/112,813



normal to the



surface.


Membrane
An actuator with a
The effective
Fabrication
1982 Howkins U.S. Pat.


push
high force but small
area of the
complexity
No. 4,459,601



area is used to push
actuator
Actuator size



a stiff membrane
becomes the
Difficulty of



that is in contact
membrane area
integration in a



with the ink.

VLSI process


Rotary
The actuator causes
Rotary levers
Device
USSN 09/113,097;



the rotation of some
may be used to
complexity
09/113,066; 09/112,818;



element, such a grill
increase travel
May have
09/112,794



or impeller
Small chip area
friction at a




requirements
pivot point


Bend
The actuator bends
A very small
Requires the
1970 Kyser et al U.S.



when energized.
change in
actuator to be
Pat. No. 3,946,398



This may be due to
dimensions can
made from at
1973 Stemme U.S. Pat.



differential thermal
be converted to
least two
No. 3,747,120



expansion,
a large motion.
distinct layers,
09/112,802; 09/112,778;



piezoelectric

or to have a
09/112,779; 09/113,068;



expansion,

thermal
09/112,780; 09/113,083;



magnetostriction, or

difference
09/113,121; 09/113,128;



other form of

across the
09/113,127; 09/112,756;



relative dimensional

actuator
09/112,754; 09/112,811;



change.


09/112,812


Swivel
The actuator swivels
Allows
Inefficient
USSN 09/113,099



around a central
operation where
coupling to the



pivot. This motion is
the net linear
ink motion



suitable where there
force on the



are opposite forces
paddle is zero



applied to opposite
Small chip area



sides of the paddle,
requirements



e.g. Lorenz force.


Straighten
The actuator is
Can be used
Requires careful
USSN 09/113,122;



normally bent, and
with shape
balance of
09/112,755



straightens when
memory alloys
stresses to



energized.
where the
ensure that the




austenic phase
quiescent bend




is planar
is accurate


Double
The actuator bends
One actuator
Difficult to
USSN 09/112,813;


bend
in one direction
can be used to
make the drops
09/112,814; 09/112,764



when one element is
power two
ejected by both



energized, and
nozzles.
bend directions



bends the other way
Reduced chip
identical.



when another
size.
A small



element is
Not sensitive to
efficiency loss



energized.
ambient
compared to




temperature
equivalent





single bend





actuators.


Shear
Energizing the
Can increase the
Not readily
1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat.



actuator causes a
effective travel
applicable to
No. 4,584,590



shear motion in the
of piezoelectric
other actuator



actuator material.
actuators
mechanisms


Radial
The actuator
Relatively easy
High force
1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat.


con-
squeezes an ink
to fabricate
required
No. 3,683,212


striction
reservoir, forcing
single nozzles
Inefficient



ink from a
from glass
Difficult to



constricted nozzle.
tubing as
integrate with




macroscopic
VLSI processes




structures


Coil/
A coiled actuator
Easy to
Difficult to
USSN 09/112,815;


uncoil
uncoils or coils
fabricate as a
fabricate for
09/112,808; 09/112,811;



more tightly. The
planar VLSI
non-planar
09/112,812



motion of the free
process
devices



end of the actuator
Small area
Poor out-of-



ejects the ink.
required,
plane stiffness




therefore low




cost


Bow
The actuator bows
Can increase the
Maximum
USSN 09/112,819;



(or buckles) in the
speed of travel
travel is
09/113,096; 09/112,793



middle when
Mechanically
constrained



energized.
rigid
High force





required


Push-Pull
Two actuators
The structure is
Not readily
USSN 09/113,096



control a shutter.
pinned at both
suitable for ink



One actuator pulls
ends, so has a
jets which



the shutter, and the
high out-of-
directly push



other pushes it.
plane rigidity
the ink


Curl
A set of actuators
Good fluid flow
Design
USSN 09/113,095;


inwards
curl inwards to
to the region
complexity
09/112,807



reduce the volume
behind the



of ink that they
actuator



enclose.
increases




efficiency


Curl
A set of actuators
Relatively
Relatively large
USSN 09/112,806


outwards
curl outwards,
simple
chip area



pressurizing ink in a
construction



chamber



surrounding the



actuators, and



expelling ink from a



nozzle in the



chamber.


Iris
Multiple vanes
High efficiency
High fabrication
USSN 09/112,809



enclose a volume of
Small chip area
complexity



ink. These

Not suitable for



simultaneously

pigmented inks



rotate, reducing the



volume between the



vanes.


Acoustic
The actuator
The actuator
Large area
1993 Hadimioglu et al,


vibration
vibrates at a high
can be
required for
EUP 550,192



frequency.
physically
efficient
1993 Elrod et al, EUP




distant from the
operation at
572,220




ink
useful





frequencies





Acoustic





coupling and





crosstalk





Complex drive





circuitry





Poor control of





drop volume





and position


None
In various ink jet
No moving
Various other
Silverbrook, EP 0771 658



designs the actuator
parts
tradeoffs are
A2 and related patent



does not move.

required to
applications





eliminate
Tone-jet





moving parts



















NOZZLE REFILL METHOD












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Surface
This is the normal
Fabrication
Low speed
Thermal ink jet


tension
way that ink jets
simplicity
Surface tension
Piezoelectric ink jet



are refilled.
Operational
force relatively
USSN-09/112,751;



After the actuator
simplicity
small compared to
09/113,084; 09/112,779;



is energized, it

actuator force
09/112,816; 09/112,819;



typically returns

Long refill time
09/113,095; 09/112,809;



rapidly to its normal

usually dominates
09/112,780; 09/113,083;



position. This rapid

the total repetition
09/113,121; 09/113,122;



return sucks in air

rate
09/112,793; 09/112,794;



through the nozzle


09/113,128; 09/113,127;



opening. The ink


09/112,756; 09/112,755;



surface tension at the


09/112,754; 09/112,811;



nozzle then exerts a


09/112,812; 09/112,813;



small force restoring


09/112,814; 09/112,764;



the meniscus to a


09/112,765; 09/112,767;



minimum area. This


09/112,768; 09/112,807;



force refills the


09/112,806; 09/112,820;



nozzle.


09/112,821


Shuttered
Ink to the nozzle
High speed
Requires common
USSN 09/113,066;


oscillating
chamber is provided at
Low actuator
ink pressure
09/112,818; 09/112,772;


ink pressure
a pressure that
energy, as the
oscillator
09/112,815; 09/113,096;



oscillates at twice
actuator need only
May not be
09/113,068; 09/112,808



the drop ejection
open or close the
suitable for



frequency. When a
shutter, instead of
pigmented inks



drop is to be ejected,
ejecting the ink drop



the shutter is opened



for 3 half cycles: drop



ejection, actuator



return, and refill. The



shutter is then closed



to prevent the nozzle



chamber emptying during



the next negative



pressure cycle.


Refill
After the main
High speed, as
Requires two
USSN 09/112,778


actuator
actuator has ejected a
the nozzle is
independent



drop a second (refill)
actively refilled
actuators per



actuator is energized.

nozzle



The refill actuator



pushes ink into the



nozzle chamber. The



refill actuator returns



slowly, to prevent its



return from emptying



the chamber again.


Positive ink
The ink is held a
High refill rate,
Surface spill
Silverbrook, EP


pressure
slight positive
therefore a high
must be
0771 658 A2 and



pressure. After
drop repetition
prevented
related patent



the ink drop is
rate is possible
Highly
applications



ejected, the nozzle

hydrophobic
Alternative for: USSN



chamber fills quickly

print head
09/112,751; 09/112,787;



as surface tension

surfaces are
09/112,802; 09/112,803;



and ink pressure

required
09/113,097; 09/113,099;



both operate to


09/113,084; 09/112,779;



refill the nozzle.


09/113,077; 09/113,061;






09/112,818; 09/112,816;






09/112,819; 09/113,095;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128,






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821



















METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Long inlet
The ink inlet
Design simplicity
Restricts refill
Thermal ink jet


channel
channel to the
Operational
rate
Piezoelectric ink jet



nozzle chamber
simplicity
May result in a
USSN 09/112,807;



is made long and
Reduces
relatively large
09/112,806



relatively narrow,
crosstalk
chip area



relying on viscous

Only partially



drag to reduce

effective



inlet back-flow.


Positive ink
The ink is under a
Drop selection
Requires a method
Silverbrook, EP


pressure
positive pressure,
and separation
(such as a nozzle
0771 658 A2 and



so that in the
forces can be
rim or effective
related patent



quiescent state
reduced
hydrophobizing,
applications



some of the ink
Fast refill time
or both) to prevent
Possible operation



drop already protrudes

flooding of the
of the following:



from the nozzle.

ejection surface of
USSN 09/112,751;



This reduces the

the print head.
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



pressure in the


09/112,803; 09/113,097;



nozzle chamber


09/113,099; 09/113,084;



which is required


09/112,778; 09/112,779;



to eject a certain


09/113,077; 09/113,061;



volume of ink.


09/112,816; 09/112,819;



The reduction in


09/113,095; 09/112,809;



chamber pressure


09/112,780; 09/113,083;



results in a reduction


09/113,121; 09/113,122;



in ink pushed out


09/112,793; 09/112,794;



through the inlet.


09/113,128; 09/113,127;






09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;


Baffle
One or more baffles
The refill rate is
Design
HP Thermal Ink Jet



are placed in the
not as restricted
complexity
Tektronix



inlet ink flow.
as the long inlet
May increase
piezoelectric ink jet



When the actuator
method.
fabrication



is energized, the
Reduces crosstalk
complexity (e.g.



rapid ink movement

Tektronix hot melt



creates eddies which

Piezoelectric



restrict the flow

print heads).



through the inlet.



The slower refill



process is unrestricted,



and does not result



in eddies.


Flexible flap
In this method recently
Significantly
Not applicable to
Canon


restricts
disclosed by Canon,
reduces back-flow
most ink jet


inlet
the expanding actuator
for edge-shooter
configurations



(bubble) pushes on a
thermal ink jet
Increased



flexible flap that
devices
fabrication



restricts the inlet.

complexity





Inelastic





deformation of





polymer flap results





in creep over





extended use


Inlet filter
A filter is located
Additional
Restricts refill rate
USSN 09/112,803;



between the ink inlet
advantage of
May result in complex
09/113,061; 09/113,083;



and the nozzle
ink filtration
construction
09/112,793; 09/113,128;



chamber. The filter
Ink filter may be

09/113,127



has a multitude of
fabricated with no



small holes or slots,
additional process



restricting ink flow.
steps



The filter also removes



particles which may



block the nozzle.


Small inlet
The ink inlet channel
Design simplicity
Restricts refill rate
USSN 09/112,787;


compared
to the nozzle chamber

May result in a
09/112,814; 09/112,820


to nozzle
has a substantially

relatively large



smaller cross section

chip area



than that of the

Only partially



nozzle, resulting

effective



in easier ink egress



out of the nozzle



than out of the inlet.


Inlet shutter
A secondary actuator
Increases speed
Requires separate
USSN 09/112,778



controls the position
of the ink-jet
refill actuator and



of a shutter, closing
print head
drive circuit



off the ink inlet when
operation



the main actuator is



energized.


The inlet is
The method avoids the
Back-flow
Requires careful
USSN 09/112,751;


located
problem of inlet back-
problem is
design to minimize
09/112,802; 09/113,097;


behind the
flow by arranging
eliminated
the negative
09/113,099; 09/113,084;


ink-pushing
the ink-pushing

pressure behind
09/112,779; 09/113,077;


surface
surface of the

the paddle
09/112,816; 09/112,819;



actuator between


09/112,809; 09/112,780;



the inlet and the


09/113,121; 09/112,794;



nozzle.


09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,812; 09/112,813;






09/112,765; 09/112,767;






09/112,768


Part of the
The actuator and a
Significant
Small increase
USSN 09/113,084;


actuator
wall of the ink
reductions in
in fabrication
09/113,095; 09/113,122;


moves to
chamber are arranged
back-flow can
complexity
09/112,764


shut off
so that the motion of
be achieved


the inlet
the actuator closes
Compact designs



off the inlet.
possible


Nozzle
In some configurations
Ink back-flow
None related to
Silverbrook, EP


actuator
of ink jet, there is
problem is
ink back-flow
0771 658 A2 and


does not
no expansion or
eliminated
on actuation
related patent


result in ink
movement of an


applications


back-flow
actuator which may


Valve-jet



cause ink back-flow


Tone-jet



through the inlet.



















NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Normal
All of the nozzles are
No added
May not be
Most ink jet


nozzle firing
fired periodically,
complexity on
sufficient to
systems



before the ink has a
the print head
displace dried
USSN 09/112,751;



chance to dry. When

ink
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



not in use the nozzles


09/112,803; 09/113,097;



are sealed (capped)


09/113,099; 09/113,084;



against air.


09/112,778; 09/112,779;



The nozzle firing is


09/113,077; 09/113,061;



usually performed


09/112,816; 09/112,819;



during a special


09/113,095; 09/112,809;



clearing cycle, after


09/112,780; 09/113,083;



first moving the print


09/113,121; 09/113,122;



head to a cleaning


09/112,793; 09/112,794;



station.


09/113,128; 09/113,127;






09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Extra power
In systems which heat
Can be highly
Requires higher
Silverbrook, EP


to ink heater
the ink, but do not
effective if the
drive voltage
0771 658 A2 and



boil it under normal
heater is adjacent
for clearing
related patent



situations, nozzle
to the nozzle
May require
applications



clearing can be

larger drive



achieved by over-

transistors



powering the heater



and boiling ink at



the nozzle.


Rapid
The actuator is fired
Does not require
Effectiveness
May be used with:


succession
in rapid succession.
extra drive circuits
depends substantially
USSN 09/112,751;


of actuator
In some configurations,
on the print head
upon the configuration
09/112,787; 09/112,802;


pulses
this may cause heat
Can be readily
of the ink jet nozzle
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



build-up at the nozzle
controlled and

09/113,099; 09/113,084;



which boils the ink,
initiated by

09/112,778; 09/112,779;



clearing the nozzle. In
digital logic

09/113,077; 09/112,816;



other situations, it


09/112,819; 09/113,095;



may cause sufficient


09/112,809; 09/112,780;



vibrations to dislodge


09/113,083; 09/113,121;



clogged nozzles.


09/112,793; 09/112,794;






09/113,128; 09/113,127;






09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Extra
Where an actuator is
A simple solution
Not suitable where
May be used with: USSN


power to
not normally driven to
where applicable
there is a hard limit
09/112,802; 09/112,778;


ink pushing
the limit of its motion,

to actuator movement
09/112,819; 09/113,095;


actuator
nozzle clearing may be


09/112,780; 09/113,083;



assisted by providing


09/113,121; 09/112,793;



an enhanced drive


09/113,128; 09/113,127;



signal to the actuator.


09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,765; 09/112,767;






09/112,768; 09/112,807;






09/112,806; 09/112,820;






09/112,821


Acoustic
An ultrasonic wave is
A high nozzle
High implementation
USSN 09/113,066;


resonance
applied to the ink
clearing capability
cost if system
09/112,818; 09/112,772;



chamber. This wave
can be achieved
does not already
09/112,815; 09/113,096;



is of an appropriate
May be implemented
include an acoustic
09/113,068; 09/112,808



amplitude and
at very low cost in
actuator



frequency to cause
systems which already



sufficient force at the
include acoustic



nozzle to clear
actuators



blockages. This is



easiest to achieve if



the ultrasonic wave is



at a resonant



frequency of the



ink cavity.


Nozzle
A microfabricated
Can clear severely
Accurate mechanical
Silverbrook, EP


clearing
plate is pushed
clogged nozzles
alignment is required
0771 658 A2 and


plate
against the nozzles.

Moving parts are
related patent



The plate has a post

required
applications



for every nozzle.

There is risk of



A post moves through

damage to the



each nozzle, displacing

nozzles



dried ink.

Accurate fabrication





is required


Ink
The pressure of the
May be effective
Requires pressure
May be used with


pressure
ink is temporarily
where other
pump or other
ink jets covered by


pulse
increased so that ink
methods cannot be
pressure actuator
USSN 09/112,751;



streams from all of
used
Expensive
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



the nozzles. This

Wasteful of ink
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



may be used in


09/113,099; 09/113,084;



conjunction with


09/113,066; 09/112,778;



actuator energizing.


09/112,779; 09/113,077;






09/113,061; 09/112,818;






09/112,816; 09/112,772;






09/112,819; 09/112,815;






09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Print head
A flexible ‘blade’ is
Effective for
Difficult to use
Many ink jet systems


wiper
wiped across the print
planar print
if print head surface



head surface. The
head surfaces
is non-planar or



blade is usually
Low cost
very fragile



fabricated from a

Requires mechanical



flexible polymer, e.g.

parts



rubber or synthetic

Blade can wear



elastomer.

out in high volume





print systems


Separate
A separate heater is
Can be effective
Fabrication
Can be used with many


ink boiling
provided at the nozzle
where other nozzle
complexity
ink jets covered by USSN


heater
although the normal
clearing methods

09/112,751; 09/112,787;



drop e-ection mechanism
cannot be used

09/112,802; 09/112,803;



does not require it. The
Can be implemented

09/113,097; 09/113,099;



heaters do not require
at no additional cost

09/113,084; 09/113,066;



individual drive
in some inkjet

09/112,778; 09/112,779;



circuits, as many
configurations

09/113,077; 09/113,061;



nozzles can be cleared


09/112,818; 09/112,816;



simultaneously, and no


09/112,772; 09/112,819;



imaging is required.


09/112,815; 09/113,096;






09/113,068; 09/113,095;






09/112,808; 09/112,809;






09/112,780; 09/113,083;






09/113,121; 09/113,122;






09/112,793; 09/112,794;






09/113,128; 09/113,127;






09/112,756; 09/112,755;






09/112,754; 09/112,811;






09/112,812; 09/112,813;






09/112,814; 09/112,764;






09/112,765; 09/112,767;






09/112,768; 09/112,807;






09/112,806; 09/112,820;






09/112,821



















NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Electro-
A nozzle plate is
Fabrication
High temperatures
Hewlett Packard


formed
separately fabricated
simplicity
and pressures are
Thermal Ink jet


nickel
from electroformed

required to bond



nickel, and bonded to

nozzle plate



the print head chip.

Minimum thickness





constraints





Differential thermal





expansion


Laser
Individual nozzle
No masks required
Each hole must
Canon Bubblejet


ablated or
holes are ablated by
Can be quite fast
be individually
1988 Sercel et


drilled
an intense UV laser
Some control
formed
al., SPIE, Vol. 998


polymer
in a nozzle plate,
over nozzle profile
Special equipment
Excimer Beam



which is typically a
is possible
required
Applications, pp.



polymer such as
Equipment required
Slow where there
76–83



polyimide or
is relatively low cost
are many thousands
1993 Watanabe



polysulphone

of nozzles per
et al., U.S. Pat. No.





print head
5,208,604





May produce thin





burrs at exit holes


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


micro-
plate is micromachined
attainable
construction
Transactions on


machined
from single crystal

High cost
Electron Devices,



silicon, and bonded to

Requires
Vol. ED-25, No. 10,



the print head wafer.

precision alignment
1978, pp 1185–1195





Nozzles may be
Xerox 1990





clogged by adhesive
Hawkins et al.,






U.S. Pat. No.






4,899,181


Glass
Fine glass capillaries
No expensive
Very small
1970 Zoltan


capillaries
are drawn from glass
equipment required
nozzle sizes are
U.S. Pat. No.



tubing. This method
Simple to make
difficult to form
3,683,212



has been used for
single nozzles
Not suited for



making individual

mass production



nozzles, but is



difficult to use for



bulk manufacturing of



print heads with



thousands of nozzles.


Monolithic,
The nozzle plate is
High accuracy
Requires sacrificial
Silverbrook, EP


surface
deposited as a layer
(<1 μm)
layer under the
0771 658 A2 and


micro-
using standard VLSI
Monolithic
nozzle plate to
related patent


machined
deposition techniques.
Low cost
form the nozzle
applications


using VLSI
Nozzles are etched in
Existing
chamber
USSN 09/112,751;


litho-
the nozzle plate using
processes can
Surface may be
09/112,787; 09/112,803;


graphic
VLSI lithography
be used
fragile to the
09/113,077; 09/113,061;


processes
and etching.

touch
09/112,815; 09/113,096;






09/113,095; 09/112,809;






09/113,083; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,813;






09/112,814; 09/112,764;






09/112,765; 09/112,767;






09/112,768; 09/112,807;






09/112,806; 09/112,820


Monolithic,
The nozzle plate is a
High accuracy
Requires long
USSN 09/112,802;


etched
buried etch stop in
(<1 μm)
etch times
09/113,097; 09/113,099;


through
the wafer. Nozzle
Monolithic
Requires a support
09/113,084; 09/113,066;


substrate
chambers are etched in
Low cost
wafer
09/112,778; 09/112,779;



the front of the wafer,
No differential

09/112,818; 09/112,816;



and the wafer is
expansion

09/112,772; 09/112,819;



thinned from the back


09/113,068; 09/112,808;



side. Nozzles are then


09/112,780; 09/113,121;



etched in the etch


09/113,122



stop layer.


No nozzle
Various methods have
No nozzles to
Difficult to control
Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et al


plate
been tried to eliminate
become clogged
drop position
U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413



the nozzles entirely,

accurately
1993 Hadimioglu



to prevent nozzle

Crosstalk problems
et al EUP 550,192



clogging. These


1993 Elrod et al



include thermal bubble


EUP 572,220



mechanisms and



acoustic lens



mechanisms


Trough
Each drop ejector has
Reduced
Drop firing
USSN 09/112,812



a trough through
manufacturing
direction is



which a paddle moves.
complexity
sensitive



There is no nozzle
Monolithic
to wicking.



plate.


Nozzle slit
The elimination of
No nozzles to
Difficult to control
1989 Saito et al


instead of
nozzle holes and
become clogged
drop position
U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068


individual
replacement by a slit

accurately


nozzles
encompassing many

Crosstalk problems



actuator positions



reduces nozzle



clogging, but increases



crosstalk due to ink



surface waves



















DROP EJECTION DIRECTION












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples















Edge
Ink flow is along
Simple construction
Nozzles limited
Canon Bubblejet


(‘edge
the surface of the
No silicon etching
to edge
1979 Endo et al GB


shooter’)
chip, and ink drops
required
High resolution
patent 2,007,162



are ejected from the
Good heat sinking
is difficult
Xerox heater-in-pit



chip edge.
via substrate
Fast color
1990 Hawkins et al




Mechanically strong
printing requires
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181




Ease of chip handing
one print head
Tone-jet





per color


Surface
Ink flow is along the
No bulk silicon
Maximum ink flow
Hewlett-Packard


(‘roof
surface of the chip,
etching required
is severely
TIJ 1982 Vaught et al


shooter’)
and ink drops are
Silicon can make
restricted
U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728



ejected from the chip
an effective heat

USSN 09/112,787,



surface, normal to the
sink

09/113,077; 09/113,061;



plane of the chip.
Mechanical strength

09/113,095; 09/112,809


Through
Ink flow is through
High ink flow
Requires bulk
Silverbrook, EP


chip,
the chip, and ink
Suitable for
silicon etching
0771 658 A2 and


forward
drops are ejected
pagewidth print

related patent


(‘up
from the front
heads

applications


shooter’)
surface of the chip.
High nozzle

USSN 09/112,803;




packing density

09/112,815; 09/113,096;




therefore low

09/113,083; 09/112,793;




manufacturing cost

09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Through
Ink flow is through
High ink flow
Requires wafer
USSN 09/112,751;


chip,
the chip, and ink
Suitable for
thinning
09/112,802; 09/113,097;


reverse
drops are ejected
pagewidth print
Requires special
09/113,099; 09/113,084;


(‘down
from the rear
heads
handling during
09/113,066; 09/112,778;


shooter’)
surface of the chip.
High nozzle
manufacture
09/112,779; 09/112,818;




packing density

09/112,816; 09/112,772;




therefore low

09/112,819; 09/113,068;




manufacturing cost

09/112,808; 09/112,780;






09/113,121; 09/113,122


Through
Ink flow is through
Suitable for
Pagewidth print
Epson Stylus


actuator
the actuator, which
piezoelectric
heads require
Tektronix hot melt



is not fabricated as
print heads
several thousand
piezoelectric ink jets



part of the same

connections to



substrate as the

drive circuits



drive transistors.

Cannot be





manufactured in





standard CMOS





fabs





Complex assembly





required



















INK TYPE












Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Aqueous,
Water based ink
Environmentally
Slow drying
Most existing ink jets


dye
which typically
friendly
Corrosive
USSN 09/112,751;



contains: water,
No odor
Bleeds on paper
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



dye, surfactant,

May strikethrough
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



humectant, and

Cockles paper
09/113,099; 09/113,084;



biocide.


09/113,066; 09/112,778;



Modern ink dyes have


09/112,779; 09/113,077;



high water-fastness,


09/113,061; 09/112,818;



light fastness


09/112,816; 09/112,772;






09/112,819; 09/112,815;






09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821






Silverbrook, EP 0771 658






A2 and related patent






applications


Aqueous,
Water based ink
Environmentally
Slow drying
USSN 09/112,787;


pigment
which typically
friendly
Corrosive
09/112,803; 09/112,808;



contains: water,
No odor
Pigment may clog
09/113,122; 09/112,793;



pigment, surfactant,
Reduced bleed
nozzles
09/113,127



humectant, and
Reduced wicking
Pigment may clog
Silverbrook, EP 0771



biocide.
Reduced
actuator mechanisms
658 A2 and related patent



Pigments have an
strikethrough
Cockles paper
applications



advantage in reduced


Piezoelectric ink-jets



bleed, wicking and


Thermal ink jets



strikethrough.


(with significant






restrictions)


Methyl
MEK is a highly
Very fast drying
Odorous
USSN 09/112,751;


Ethyl
volatile solvent used
Prints on various
Flammable
09/112,787; 09/112,802;


Ketone
for industrial
substrates such as

09/112,803; 09/113,097;


(MEK)
printing on diffi-
metals and plastics

09/113,099; 09/113,084;



cult surfaces such


09/113,066; 09/112,778;



as aluminum cans.


09/112,779; 09/113,077;






09/113,061; 09/112,818;






09/112,816; 09/112,772;






09/112,819; 09/112,815;






09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Alcohol
Alcohol based inks
Fast drying
Slight odor
USSN 09/112,751;


(ethanol, 2-
can be used where
Operates at sub-
Flammable
09/112,787; 09/112,802;


butanol,
the printer must
freezing

09/112,803; 09/113,097;


and others)
operate at temperatures
temperatures

09/113,099; 09/113,084;



below the freezing
Reduced paper

09/113,066; 09/112,778;



point of water. An
cockle

09/112,779; 09/113,077;



example of this
Low cost

09/113,061; 09/112,818;



is in-camera


09/112,816; 09/112,772;



consumer photo-


09/112,819; 09/112,815;



graphic printing.


09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


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


change
room temperature, and
ink instantly
Printed ink
piezoelectric ink jets


(hot melt)
is melted in the print
freezes on the
typically has a
1989 Nowak



head before jetting.
print medium
‘waxy’ feel
U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,346



Hot melt inks are
Almost any print
Printed pages
USSN 09/112,751;



usually wax based,
medium can be used
may ‘block’
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



with a melting point
No paper cockle
Ink temperature
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



around 80° C. After
occurs
may be above the
09/113,099; 09/113,084;



jetting the ink freezes
No wicking
curie point of
09/113,066; 09/112,778;



almost instantly upon
occurs
permanent magnets
09/112,779; 09/113,077;



contacting the print
No bleed occurs
Ink heaters consume
09/113,061; 09/112,818;



medium or a transfer
No strikethrough
power
09/112,816; 09/112,772;



roller.
occurs
Long warm-up time
09/112,819; 09/112,815;






09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Oil
Oil based inks are
High solubility
High viscosity:
USSN 09/112,751;



extensively used in
medium for some
this is a signi-
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



offset printing.
dyes
ficant limitation
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



They have advantages
Does not cockle
for use in inkjets,
09/113,099; 09/113,084;



in improved
paper
which usually require
09/113,066; 09/112,778;



characteristics on
Does not wick
a low viscosity. Some
09/112,779; 09/113,077;



paper (especially
through paper
short chain and
09/113,061; 09/112,818;



no wicking or cockle).

multi-branched oils
09/112,816; 09/112,772;



Oil soluble dies and

have a sufficiently
09/112,819; 09/112,815;



pigments are required.

low viscosity.
09/113,096; 09/113,068;





Slow drying
09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821


Micro-
A microemulsion is a
Stops ink bleed
Viscosity higher
USSN 09/112,751;


emulsion
stable, self forming
High dye
than water
09/112,787; 09/112,802;



emulsion of oil, water,
solubility
Cost is slightly
09/112,803; 09/113,097;



and surfactant. The
Water, oil, and
higher than water
09/113,099; 09/113,084;



characteristic drop
amphiphilic
based ink
09/113,066; 09/112,778;



size is less than
soluble dies
High surfactant
09/112,779; 09/113,077;



100 nm, and is
can be used
concentration
09/113,061; 09/112,818;



determined by the
Can stabilize
required (around
09/112,816; 09/112,772;



preferred curvature
pigment
5%)
09/112,819; 09/112,815;



of the surfactant.
suspensions

09/113,096; 09/113,068;






09/113,095; 09/112,808;






09/112,809; 09/112,780;






09/113,083; 09/113,121;






09/113,122; 09/112,793;






09/112,794; 09/113,128;






09/113,127; 09/112,756;






09/112,755; 09/112,754;






09/112,811; 09/112,812;






09/112,813; 09/112,814;






09/112,764; 09/112,765;






09/112,767; 09/112,768;






09/112,807; 09/112,806;






09/112,820; 09/112,821

## Claims

1. A method of operating a digital camera of a type including a reader to read instructions in printed form from printed media and an image printer for printing images, the method including:
storing a captured image in a memory internal to the digital camera;
reading first image manipulation instructions from a surface of a first printed media, the first image manipulation instructions being an image manipulation algorithm;
creating a captured manipulated image from the captured image on the basis of the algorithm represented by the first image manipulation instructions;
reading second image manipulation instructions from a surface of a second printed media, the second image manipulation instructions being instructions for instructing the digital camera to combine the first image manipulation instructions with further image manipulation instructions;
reading the further image manipulation instructions from a surface of a third print media, the further image manipulation instructions being a further image manipulation algorithm;
modifying the captured manipulated image in accordance with the further image manipulation algorithm to obtain a modified captured manipulated image; and
printing the modified captured manipulated image with the image printer.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the memory includes a number of test routines for the digital camera.

3. A method according to claim 2, including initiating one or more of the number of test routines in response to instructions borne upon a printed media inserted into the card reader.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the number of test routines includes printing out a test pattern with the image printer.

5. A method according to claim 4 including monitoring print quality of the image printer by comparing test patterns printed out at different times.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reading image manipulation instructions from a surface of the printed media comprises a step of scanning the printed media with an optical scanner.