Patent Publication Number: US-7588329-B2

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

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

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

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

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

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
   The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the present applicant&#39;s application entitled “A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability”, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below. 
   The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor for determining the light level associated with the captured image. This auto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance with the set light value so as to enhance portions of the image. 
   Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining the light conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjusts the dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with the detected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcam central processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information, as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP. This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor to manipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the auto exposure setting information  1  is utilised in conjunction with the stored image  2  to process the image by utilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory store for later printing out  4  on the output printer. 
   A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with the determined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting  1  indicates that the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixel colours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image colours stronger, deeper and richer. 
   Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditions were present when the image was taken, the image colours can be processed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring of the image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to a hue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values in accordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be output converted to the required output colour format of printing. 
   Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised. Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisite Artcard inserted into the reader. Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automatically applied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certain conditions. 
   Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulations applied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting. For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in a dark image and large suns inserted in bright images. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the Artcam prints the images onto media stored in a replaceable print roll  5 . In some preferred embodiments, the operation of the camera device is such that when a series of images is printed on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backing surface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched at the nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way, personalized postcards can be created. 
   It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system as illustrated  FIG. 2  only predetermined image sizes are possible as the synchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front image must be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memory portions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll  5  to store details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. This can be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or by storing each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory. 
   In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of print roll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plastic pieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print roll has a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplified construction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed is wrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. The ink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed so as to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents. Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with the rubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camera system. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot and the ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which provides and assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slot relative to the printhead within the printing or camera system. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3  there is illustrated a single point roll unit  5  in an assembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of the print roll.  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  illustrate left and right side exploded perspective views respectively. The print roll  5  is constructed around the internal core portion  6  which contains an internal ink supply. Outside of the core portion  6  is provided a former  7  around which is wrapped a paper or film supply  8 . Around the paper supply it is constructed two cover pieces  9 ,  10  which snap together around the print roll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The bottom cover piece  10  includes a slot  11  through which the output of the print media  12  for interconnection with the camera system. 
   Two pinch rollers  13 ,  14  are provided to pinch the paper against a drive pinch roller  15  so they together provide for a decurling of the paper around the roller  15 . The decurling acts to negate the strong curl that may be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print roll for an extended period of time. The rollers  13 ,  14  are provided to form a snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion  10  and the roller  15  which includes a cogged end  16  for driving, snap fits into the upper cover piece  9  so as to pinch the paper  12  firmly between. 
   The cover pieces  9 ,  10  includes an end protuberance or lip  17 . The end lip  17  is provided for accurate alignment of the exit hole of the paper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within the camera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of the exiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for full guidance of the paper to the printhead. 
   It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
   The present invention is best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs. 
   Ink Jet Technologies 
   The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable. 
   The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out. 
   The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles. 
   Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:
         low power (less than 10 Watts)   high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)   photographic quality output   low manufacturing cost   small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)   high speed (&lt;2 seconds per page).       

   All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below. 
   The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry. 
   Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding. 
   CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS 
   The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case: 
                                   Docket               No.   Reference   Title                  IJ01US   6,227,652   Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer       IJ02US   6,213,588   Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer       IJ03US   6,213,589   Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet       IJ04US   6,231,163   Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer       IJ05US   6,247,795   Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer       IJ06US   6,394,581   Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer       IJ07US   6,244,691   Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer       IJ08US   6,257,704   Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer       IJ09US   6,416,168   Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer       IJ10US   6,220,694   Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer       IJ11US   6,257,705   Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ12US   6,247,794   Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer       IJ13US   6,234,610   Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer       IJ14US   6,247,793   Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ15US   6,264,306   Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer       IJ16US   6,241,342   Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer       IJ17US   6,247,792   PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating               Pressure Ink Jet Printer       IJ18US   6,264,307   Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer       IJ19US   6,254,220   Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer       IJ20US   6,234,611   Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer       IJ21US   6,302,528   Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer       IJ22US   6,283,582   Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer       IJ23US   6,239,821   Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer       IJ24US   6,338,547   Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet               Printer       IJ25US   6,247,796   Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer       IJ26US   6,557,977   Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer       IJ27US   6,390,603   Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer       IJ28US   6,362,843   Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer       IJ29US   6,293,653   Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer       IJ30US   6,312,107   Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and               Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer       IJ31US   6,227,653   Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer       IJ32US   6,234,609   A High Young&#39;s Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ33US   6,238,040   Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet               printer       IJ34US   6,188,415   Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising               an external coiled spring       IJ35US   6,227,654   Trough Container Ink Jet Printer       IJ36US   6,209,989   Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet       IJ37US   6,247,791   Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator               Ink Jet       IJ38US   6,336,710   Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet       IJ39US   6,217,153   A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet               printing device       IJ40US   6,416,167   A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series               of thermal actuator units       IJ41US   6,243,113   A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a               tapered heater element       IJ42US   6,283,581   Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet       IJ43US   6,247,790   Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet       IJ44US   6,260,953   Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet               printer       IJ45US   6,267,469   Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer                    
Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets
 
   Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee. 
   The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types. 
   Actuator mechanism (18 types) 
   Basic operation mode (7 types) 
   Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) 
   Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types) 
   Actuator motion (19 types) 
   Nozzle refill method (4 types) 
   Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types) 
   Nozzle clearing method (9 types) 
   Nozzle plate construction (9 types) 
   Drop ejection direction (5 types) 
   Ink type (7 types) 
   The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above. 
   Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology. 
   Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry. 
   Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc. 
   The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables. 
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Actuator 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Mechanism 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Thermal 
               An electrothermal heater heats the 
               Large force generated 
               High power 
               Canon Bubblejet 
             
             
               bubble 
               ink to above boiling point, 
               Simple construction 
               Ink carrier limited to water 
               1979 Endo et al GB 
             
             
                 
               transferring significant heat to the 
               No moving parts 
               Low efficiency 
               patent 2,007,162 
             
             
                 
               aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates 
               Fast operation 
               High temperatures required 
               Xerox heater-in-pit 
             
             
                 
               and quickly forms, expelling the 
               Small chip area required for 
               High mechanical stress 
               1990 Hawkins et al 
             
             
                 
               ink. 
               actuator 
               Unusual materials required 
               U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               The efficiency of the process is 
                 
               Large drive transistors 
               4,899,181 Hewlett- 
             
             
                 
               low, with typically less than 
                 
               Cavitation causes actuator failure 
               Packard TIJ 1982 
             
             
                 
               0.05% of the electrical energy 
                 
               Kogation reduces bubble formation 
               Vaught et al U.S. 
             
             
                 
               being transformed into kinetic 
                 
               Large print heads are difficult to 
               Pat. No. 4,490,728 
             
             
                 
               energy of the drop. 
                 
               fabricate 
             
             
               Piezoelectric 
               A piezoelectric crystal such as 
               Low power consumption 
               Very large area required for actuator 
               Kyser et al U.S. Pat. 
             
             
                 
               lead lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Difficult to integrate with electronics 
               No. 3,946,398 
             
             
                 
               electrically activated, and either 
               Fast operation 
               High voltage drive transistors required 
               Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               expands, shears, or bends to apply 
               High efficiency 
               Full pagewidth print heads impractical 
               3,683,212 1973 
             
             
                 
               pressure to the ink, ejecting drops. 
                 
               due to actuator size 
               Stemme U.S. Pat. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Requires electrical poling in high field 
               No. 3,747,120 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               strengths during manufacture 
               Epson Stylus 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Tektronix IJ04 
             
             
               Electro- 
               An electric field is used to 
               Low power consumption 
               Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%) 
               Seiko Epson, Usui 
             
             
               strictive 
               activate electrostriction in relaxor 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Large area required for actuator due to 
               et all JP 253401/96 
             
             
                 
               materials such as lead lanthanum 
               Low thermal expansion 
               low strain 
               IJ04 
             
             
                 
               zirconate titanate (PLZT) or lead 
               Electric field strength 
               Response speed is marginal (~10 μs) 
             
             
                 
               magnesium niobate (PMN). 
               required (approx. 3.5 V/μm) 
               High voltage drive transistors required 
             
             
                 
                 
               can be generated 
               Full pagewidth print heads impractical 
             
             
                 
                 
               without difficulty 
               due to actuator size 
             
             
                 
                 
               Does not require electrical 
             
             
                 
                 
               poling 
             
             
               Ferroelectric 
               An electric field is used to induce 
               Low power consumption 
               Difficult to integrate with electronics 
               IJ04 
             
             
                 
               a phase transition between the 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Unusual materials such as PLZSnT are 
             
             
                 
               antiferroelectric (AFE) and 
               Fast operation (&lt;1 μs) 
               required 
             
             
                 
               ferroelectric (FE) phase. 
               Relatively high longitudinal 
               Actuators require a large area 
             
             
                 
               Perovskite materials such as tin 
               strain 
             
             
                 
               modified lead lanthanum 
               High efficiency 
             
             
                 
               zirconate titanate (PLZSnT) 
               Electric field strength of 
             
             
                 
               exhibit large strains of up to 1% 
               around 3 V/μm can be 
             
             
                 
               associated with the AFE to FE 
               readily provided 
             
             
                 
               phase transition. 
             
             
               Electrostatic 
               Conductive plates are separated 
               Low power consumption 
               Difficult to operate electrostatic 
               IJ02, IJ04 
             
             
               plates 
               by a compressible or fluid 
               Many ink types can be used 
               devices in an aqueous environment 
             
             
                 
               dielectric (usually air). Upon 
               Fast operation 
               The electrostatic actuator will 
             
             
                 
               application of a voltage, the plates 
                 
               normally need to be separated from 
             
             
                 
               attract each other and displace 
                 
               the ink 
             
             
                 
               ink, causing drop ejection. The 
                 
               Very large area required to achieve 
             
             
                 
               conductive plates may be in a 
                 
               high forces 
             
             
                 
               comb or honeycomb structure, or 
                 
               High voltage drive transistors may be 
             
             
                 
               stacked to increase the surface 
                 
               required 
             
             
                 
               area and therefore the force. 
                 
               Full pagewidth print heads are not 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               competitive due to actuator size 
             
             
               Electrostatic 
               A strong electric field is applied 
               Low current consumption 
               High voltage required 
               1989 Saito et al, 
             
             
               pull on ink 
               to the ink, whereupon electrostatic 
               Low temperature 
               May be damaged by sparks due to air 
               U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               attraction accelerates the ink 
                 
               breakdown 
               4,799,068 1989 
             
             
                 
               towards the print medium. 
                 
               Required field strength increases as 
               Miura et al, U.S. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               the drop size decreases 
               Pat. No. 4,810,954 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               High voltage drive transistors required 
               Tone-jet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Electrostatic field attracts dust 
             
             
               Permanent 
               An electromagnet directly attracts 
               Low power consumption 
               Complex fabrication 
               IJ07, IJ10 
             
             
               magnet 
               a permanent magnet, displacing 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Permanent magnetic material such as 
             
             
               electromagnetic 
               ink and causing drop ejection. 
               Fast operation 
               Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) 
             
             
                 
               Rare earth magnets with a field 
               High efficiency 
               required. 
             
             
                 
               strength around 1 Tesla can be 
               Easy extension from single 
               High local currents required 
             
             
                 
               used. Examples are: Samarium 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               Copper metalization should be used 
             
             
                 
               Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic 
               print heads 
               for long electromigration lifetime 
             
             
                 
               materials in the neodymium iron 
                 
               and low resistivity 
             
             
                 
               boron family (NdFeB, 
                 
               Pigmented inks are usually infeasible 
             
             
                 
               NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc) 
                 
               Operating temperature limited to the 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Curie temperature (around 540 K) 
             
             
               Soft magnetic 
               A solenoid induced a magnetic 
               Low power consumption 
               Complex fabrication 
               IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, 
             
             
               core electromagnetic 
               field in a soft magnetic core or 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Materials not usually present in a 
               IJ10 IJ12, IJ14, 
             
             
                 
               yoke fabricated from a ferrous 
               Fast operation 
               CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, 
               IJ15, IJ17 
             
             
                 
               material such as electroplated iron 
               High efficiency 
               or CoFe are required 
             
             
                 
               alloys such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, 
               Easy extension from single 
               High local currents required 
             
             
                 
               or NiFe alloys. Typically, the soft 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               Copper metalization should be used 
             
             
                 
               magnetic material is in two parts, 
               print heads 
               for long electromigration lifetime 
             
             
                 
               which are normally held apart by 
                 
               and low resistivity 
             
             
                 
               a spring. When the solenoid is 
                 
               Electroplating is required 
             
             
                 
               actuated, the two parts attract, 
                 
               High saturation flux density is 
             
             
                 
               displacing the ink. 
                 
               required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               with CoNiFe [1]) 
             
             
               Magnetic 
               The Lorenz force acting on a 
               Low power consumption 
               Force acts as a twisting motion 
               IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, 
             
             
               Lorenz force 
               current carrying wire in a 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Typically, only a quarter of the 
               IJ16 
             
             
                 
               magnetic field is utilized. 
               Fast operation 
               solenoid length provides force in a 
             
             
                 
               This allows the magnetic field to 
               High efficiency 
               useful direction 
             
             
                 
               be supplied externally to the print 
               Easy extension from single 
               High local currents required 
             
             
                 
               head, for example with rare earth 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               Copper metalization should be used 
             
             
                 
               permanent magnets. 
               print heads 
               for long electromigration lifetime 
             
             
                 
               Only the current carrying wire 
                 
               and low resistivity 
             
             
                 
               need be fabricated on the print- 
                 
               Pigmented inks are usually infeasible 
             
             
                 
               head, simplifying materials 
             
             
                 
               requirements. 
             
             
               Magnetostriction 
               The actuator uses the giant 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Force acts as a twisting motion 
               Fischenbeck, U.S. 
             
             
                 
               magnetostrictive effect of 
               Fast operation 
               Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D 
               Pat. No. 4,032,929 
             
             
                 
               materials such as Terfenol-D (an 
               Easy extension from single 
               are required 
               IJ25 
             
             
                 
               alloy of terbium, dysprosium and 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               High local currents required 
             
             
                 
               iron developed at the Naval 
               print heads 
               Copper metalization should be used 
             
             
                 
               Ordnance Laboratory, hence Ter- 
               High force is available 
               for long electromigration lifetime 
             
             
                 
               Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the 
                 
               and low resistivity 
             
             
                 
               actuator should be pre-stressed to 
                 
               Pre-stressing may be required 
             
             
                 
               approx. 8 MPa. 
             
             
               Surface 
               Ink under positive pressure is held 
               Low power consumption 
               Requires supplementary force to effect 
               Silverbrook, EP 
             
             
               tension 
               in a nozzle by surface tension. 
               Simple construction 
               drop separation 
               0771 658 A2 and 
             
             
               reduction 
               The surface tension of the ink is 
               No unusual materials 
               Requires special ink surfactants 
               related patent 
             
             
                 
               reduced below the bubble 
               required in fabrication 
               Speed may be limited by surfactant 
               applications 
             
             
                 
               threshold, causing the ink to 
               High efficiency 
               properties 
             
             
                 
               egress from the nozzle. 
               Easy extension from single 
             
             
                 
                 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
             
             
                 
                 
               print heads 
             
             
               Viscosity 
               The ink viscosity is locally 
               Simple construction 
               Requires supplementary force to effect 
               Silverbrook, EP 
             
             
               reduction 
               reduced to select which drops are 
               No unusual materials 
               drop separation 
               0771 658 A2 and 
             
             
                 
               to be ejected. A viscosity 
               required in fabrication 
               Requires special ink viscosity 
               related patent 
             
             
                 
               reduction can be achieved 
               Easy extension from single 
               properties 
               applications 
             
             
                 
               electrothermally with most inks, 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               High speed is difficult to achieve 
             
             
                 
               but special inks can be engineered 
               print heads 
               Requires oscillating ink pressure 
             
             
                 
               for a 100:1 viscosity reduction. 
                 
               A high temperature difference 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               (typically 80 degrees) is required 
             
             
               Acoustic 
               An acoustic wave is generated and 
               Can operate without a 
               Complex drive circuitry 
               1993 Hadimioglu et 
             
             
                 
               focussed upon the drop ejection 
               nozzle plate 
               Complex fabrication 
               al, EUP 550,192 
             
             
                 
               region. 
                 
               Low efficiency 
               1993 Elrod et al, 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Poor control of drop position 
               EUP 572,220 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Poor control of drop volume 
             
             
               Thermoelastic 
               An actuator which relies upon 
               Low power consumption 
               Efficient aqueous operation requires a 
               IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, 
             
             
               bend 
               differential thermal expansion 
               Many ink types can be used 
               thermal insulator on the hot side 
               IJ18 IJ19, IJ20, 
             
             
               actuator 
               upon Joule heating is used. 
               Simple planar fabrication 
               Corrosion prevention can be difficult 
               IJ21, IJ22 IJ23, 
             
             
                 
                 
               Small chip area required for 
               Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
               IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 
             
             
                 
                 
               each actuator 
               pigment particles may jam the bend 
               IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, 
             
             
                 
                 
               Fast operation 
               actuator 
               IJ32 IJ33, IJ34, 
             
             
                 
                 
               High efficiency 
                 
               IJ35, IJ36 IJ37, 
             
             
                 
                 
               CMOS compatible voltages 
                 
               IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 
             
             
                 
                 
               and currents 
                 
               IJ41 
             
             
                 
                 
               Standard MEMS processes 
             
             
                 
                 
               can be used 
             
             
                 
                 
               Easy extension from single 
             
             
                 
                 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
             
             
                 
                 
               print heads 
             
             
               High CTE 
               A material with a very high 
               High force can be generated 
               Requires special material (e.g. PTFE) 
               IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, 
             
             
               thermoelastic 
               coefficient of thermal expansion 
               PTFE is a candidate for low 
               Requires a PTFE deposition process, 
               IJ20 IJ21, IJ22, 
             
             
               actuator 
               (CTE) such as 
               dielectric constant 
               which is not yet standard in ULSI 
               IJ23, IJ24 IJ27, 
             
             
                 
               polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is 
               insulation in ULSI 
               fabs 
               IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 
             
             
                 
               used. As high CTE materials are 
               Very low power 
               PTFE deposition cannot be followed 
               IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, 
             
             
                 
               usually non-conductive, a heater 
               consumption 
               with high temperature (above 350° C.) 
               IJ44 
             
             
                 
               fabricated from a conductive 
               Many ink types can be used 
               processing 
             
             
                 
               material is incorporated. A 50 μm 
               Simple planar fabrication 
               Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
             
             
                 
               long PTFE bend actuator with 
               Small chip area required for 
               pigment particles may jam the bend 
             
             
                 
               polysilicon heater and 15 mW 
               each actuator 
               actuator 
             
             
                 
               power input can provide 180 μN 
               Fast operation 
             
             
                 
               force and 10 μm deflection. 
               High efficiency 
             
             
                 
               Actuator motions include: 
               CMOS compatible voltages 
             
             
                 
               1) Bend 
               and currents 
             
             
                 
               2) Push 
               Easy extension from single 
             
             
                 
               3) Buckle 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
             
             
                 
               4) Rotate 
               print heads 
             
             
               Conductive 
               A polymer with a high coefficient 
               High force can be generated 
               Requires special materials 
               IJ24 
             
             
               polymer 
               of thermal expansion (such as 
               Very low power 
               development (High CTE conductive 
             
             
               thermoelastic 
               PTFE) is doped with conducting 
               consumption 
               polymer) 
             
             
               actuator 
               substances to increase its 
               Many ink types can be used 
               Requires a PTFE deposition process, 
             
             
                 
               conductivity to about 3 orders of 
               Simple planar fabrication 
               which is not yet standard in ULSI 
             
             
                 
               magnitude below that of copper. 
               Small chip area required for 
               fabs 
             
             
                 
               The conducting polymer expands 
               each actuator 
               PTFE deposition cannot be followed 
             
             
                 
               when resistively heated. 
               Fast operation 
               with high temperature (above 350° C.) 
             
             
                 
               Examples of conducting dopants 
               High efficiency 
               processing 
             
             
                 
               include: 
               CMOS compatible voltages 
               Evaporation and CVD deposition 
             
             
                 
               1) Carbon nanotubes 
               and currents 
               techniques cannot be used 
             
             
                 
               2) Metal fibers 
               Easy extension from single 
               Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
             
             
                 
               3) Conductive polymers such as 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               pigment particles may jam the bend 
             
             
                 
               doped polythiophene 
               print heads 
               actuator 
             
             
                 
               4) Carbon granules 
             
             
               Shape 
               A shape memory alloy such as 
               High force is available 
               Fatigue limits maximum number of 
               IJ26 
             
             
               memory alloy 
               TiNi (also known as Nitinol - 
               (stresses of hundreds of 
               cycles 
             
             
                 
               Nickel Titanium alloy developed 
               MPa) 
               Low strain (1%) is required to extend 
             
             
                 
               at the Naval Ordnance 
               Large strain is available 
               fatigue resistance 
             
             
                 
               Laboratory) is thermally switched 
               (more than 3%) 
               Cycle rate limited by heat removal 
             
             
                 
               between its weak martensitic state 
               High corrosion resistance 
               Requires unusual materials (TiNi) 
             
             
                 
               and its high stiffness austenic 
               Simple construction 
               The latent heat of transformation must 
             
             
                 
               state. The shape of the actuator in 
               Easy extension from single 
               be provided 
             
             
                 
               its martensitic state is deformed 
               nozzles to pagewidth 
               High current operation 
             
             
                 
               relative to the austenic shape. The 
               print heads 
               Requires pre-stressing to distort the 
             
             
                 
               shape change causes ejection of a 
               Low voltage operation 
               martensitic state 
             
             
                 
               drop. 
             
             
               Linear 
               Linear magnetic actuators include 
               Linear Magnetic actuators 
               Requires unusual semiconductor 
               IJ12 
             
             
               Magnetic 
               the Linear Induction Actuator 
               can be constructed with 
               materials such as soft magnetic 
             
             
               Actuator 
               (LIA), Linear Permanent Magnet 
               high thrust, long travel, 
               alloys (e.g. CoNiFe [1]) 
             
             
                 
               Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA), 
               and high efficiency using 
               Some varieties also require permanent 
             
             
                 
               Linear Reluctance Synchronous 
               planar semiconductor 
               magnetic materials such as 
             
             
                 
               Actuator (LRSA), Linear 
               fabrication techniques 
               Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) 
             
             
                 
               Switched Reluctance Actuator 
               Long actuator travel is 
               Requires complex multi-phase drive 
             
             
                 
               (LSRA), and the Linear Stepper 
               available 
               circuitry 
             
             
                 
               Actuator (LSA). 
               Medium force is available 
               High current operation 
             
             
                 
                 
               Low voltage operation 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               BASIC OPERATION MODE 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Operational 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mode 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Actuator directly 
               This is the simplest mode of 
               Simple operation 
               Drop repetition rate is usually limited 
               Thermal inkjet 
             
             
               pushes ink 
               operation: the actuator directly 
               No external fields required 
               to less than 10 KHz. However, this 
               Piezoelectric inkjet 
             
             
                 
               supplies sufficient kinetic energy 
               Satellite drops can be 
               is not fundamental to the method, 
               IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 
             
             
                 
               to expel the drop. The drop must 
               avoided if drop velocity is 
               but is related to the refill method 
               IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 
             
             
                 
               have a sufficient velocity to 
               less than 4 m/s 
               normally used 
               IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 
             
             
                 
               overcome the surface tension. 
               Can be efficient, depending 
               All of the drop kinetic energy must be 
               IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 
             
             
                 
                 
               upon the actuator used 
               provided by the actuator 
               IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Satellite drops usually form if drop 
               IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s 
               IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 
             
             
               Proximity 
               The drops to be printed are 
               Very simple print head 
               Requires close proximity between the 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
                 
               selected by some manner (e.g. 
               fabrication can be used 
               print head and the print media or 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               thermally induced surface tension 
               The drop selection means 
               transfer roller 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               reduction of pressurized ink). 
               does not need to provide 
               May require two print heads printing 
             
             
                 
               Selected drops are separated from 
               the energy required to 
               alternate rows of the image 
             
             
                 
               the ink in the nozzle by contact 
               separate the drop from the 
               Monolithic color print heads are 
             
             
                 
               with the print medium or a 
               nozzle 
               difficult 
             
             
                 
               transfer roller. 
             
             
               Electrostatic pull on 
               The drops to be printed are 
               Very simple print head 
               Requires very high electrostatic field 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               ink 
               selected by some manner (e.g. 
               fabrication can be used 
               Electrostatic field for small nozzle 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               thermally induced surface tension 
               The drop selection means 
               sizes is above air breakdown 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               reduction of pressurized ink). 
               does not need to provide 
               Electrostatic field may attract dust 
               Tone-Jet 
             
             
                 
               Selected drops are separated from 
               the energy required to 
             
             
                 
               the ink in the nozzle by a strong 
               separate the drop from the 
             
             
                 
               electric field. 
               nozzle 
             
             
               Magnetic pull 
               The drops to be printed are 
               Very simple print head 
               Requires magnetic ink 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               on ink 
               selected by some manner (e.g. 
               fabrication can be used 
               Ink colors other than black are 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               thermally induced surface tension 
               The drop selection means 
               difficult 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               reduction of pressurized ink). 
               does not need to provide 
               Requires very high magnetic fields 
             
             
                 
               Selected drops are separated from 
               the energy required to 
             
             
                 
               the ink in the nozzle by a strong 
               separate the drop from the 
             
             
                 
               magnetic field acting on the 
               nozzle 
             
             
                 
               magnetic ink. 
             
             
               Shutter 
               The actuator moves a shutter to 
               High speed (&gt;50 KHz) 
               Moving parts are required 
               IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 
             
             
                 
               block ink flow to the nozzle. The 
               operation can be achieved 
               Requires ink pressure modulator 
             
             
                 
               ink pressure is pulsed at a 
               due to reduced refill time 
               Friction and wear must be considered 
             
             
                 
               multiple of the drop ejection 
               Drop timing can be very 
               Stiction is possible 
             
             
                 
               frequency. 
               accurate 
             
             
                 
                 
               The actuator energy can be 
             
             
                 
                 
               very low 
             
             
               Shuttered 
               The actuator moves a shutter to 
               Actuators with small travel 
               Moving parts are required 
               IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 
             
             
               grill 
               block ink flow through a grill to 
               can be used 
               Requires ink pressure modulator 
             
             
                 
               the nozzle. The shutter movement 
               Actuators with small force 
               Friction and wear must be considered 
             
             
                 
               need only be equal to the width of 
               can be used 
               Stiction is possible 
             
             
                 
               the grill holes. 
               High speed (&gt;50 KHz) 
             
             
                 
                 
               operation can be achieved 
             
             
               Pulsed 
               A pulsed magnetic field attracts 
               Extremely low energy 
               Requires an external pulsed magnetic 
               IJ10 
             
             
               magnetic pull 
               an ‘ink pusher’ at the drop 
               operation is possible 
               field 
             
             
               on ink pusher 
               ejection frequency. An actuator 
               No heat dissipation 
               Requires special materials for both the 
             
             
                 
               controls a catch, which prevents 
               problems 
               actuator and the ink pusher 
             
             
                 
               the ink pusher from moving when 
                 
               Complex construction 
             
             
                 
               a drop is not to be ejected. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Auxiliary 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Mechanism 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               None 
               The actuator directly fires the ink 
               Simplicity of construction 
               Drop ejection energy must be supplied 
               Most inkjets, 
             
             
                 
               drop, and there is no external field 
               Simplicity of operation 
               by individual nozzle actuator 
               including 
             
             
                 
               or other mechanism required. 
               Small physical size 
                 
               piezoelectric and 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               thermal bubble. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ23-IJ45 
             
             
               Oscillating ink 
               The ink pressure oscillates, 
               Oscillating ink pressure can 
               Requires external ink pressure 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               pressure 
               providing much of the drop 
               provide a refill pulse, 
               oscillator 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
               (including 
               ejection energy. The actuator 
               allowing higher operating 
               Ink pressure phase and amplitude must 
               patent applications 
             
             
               acoustic 
               selects which drops are to be fired 
               speed 
               be carefully controlled 
               IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
             
             
               stimulation) 
               by selectively blocking or 
               The actuators may operate 
               Acoustic reflections in the ink 
               IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
             
             
                 
               enabling nozzles. The ink pressure 
               with much lower energy 
               chamber must be designed for 
             
             
                 
               oscillation may be achieved by 
               Acoustic lenses can be used 
             
             
                 
               vibrating the print head, or 
               to focus the sound on the 
             
             
                 
               preferably by an actuator in the 
               nozzles 
             
             
                 
               ink supply. 
             
             
               Media 
               The print head is placed in close 
               Low power 
               Precision assembly required 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               proximity 
               proximity to the print medium. 
               High accuracy 
               Paper fibers may cause problems 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               Selected drops protrude from the 
               Simple print head 
               Cannot print on rough substrates 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               print head further than unselected 
               construction 
             
             
                 
               drops, and contact the print 
             
             
                 
               medium. The drop soaks into the 
             
             
                 
               medium fast enough to cause drop 
             
             
                 
               separation. 
             
             
               Transfer 
               Drops are printed to a transfer 
               High accuracy 
               Bulky 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               roller 
               roller instead of straight to the 
               Wide range of print 
               Expensive 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               print medium. A transfer roller 
               substrates can be used 
               Complex construction 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               can also be used for proximity 
               Ink can be dried on the 
                 
               Tektronix hot melt 
             
             
                 
               drop separation. 
               transfer roller 
                 
               piezoelectric inkjet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Any of the IJ series 
             
             
               Electrostatic 
               An electric field is used to 
               Low power 
               Field strength required for separation 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
                 
               accelerate selected drops towards 
               Simple print head 
               of small drops is near or above air 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               the print medium. 
               construction 
               breakdown 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Tone-Jet 
             
             
               Direct 
               A magnetic field is used to 
               Low power 
               Requires magnetic ink 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               magnetic 
               accelerate selected drops of 
               Simple print head 
               Requires strong magnetic field 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
               field 
               magnetic ink towards the print 
               construction 
                 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               medium. 
             
             
               Cross 
               The print head is placed in a 
               Does not require magnetic 
               Requires external magnet 
               IJ06, IJ16 
             
             
               magnetic 
               constant magnetic field. The 
               materials to be integrated 
               Current densities may be high, 
             
             
               field 
               Lorenz force in a current carrying 
               in the print head 
               resulting in electromigration 
             
             
                 
               wire is used to move the actuator. 
               manufacturing process 
               problems 
             
             
               Pulsed magnetic 
               A pulsed magnetic field is used to 
               Very low power operation is 
               Complex print head construction 
               IJ10 
             
             
               field 
               cyclically attract a paddle, which 
               possible 
               Magnetic materials required in print 
             
             
                 
               pushes on the ink. A small 
               Small print head size 
               head 
             
             
                 
               actuator moves a catch, which 
             
             
                 
               selectively prevents the paddle 
             
             
                 
               from moving. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Actuator 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               amplification 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               None 
               No actuator mechanical 
               Operational simplicity 
               Many actuator mechanisms have 
               Thermal Bubble Inkjet 
             
             
                 
               amplification is used. The actuator 
                 
               insufficient travel, or insufficient 
               IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 
             
             
                 
               directly drives the drop ejection 
                 
               force, to efficiently drive the drop 
               IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 
             
             
                 
               process. 
                 
               ejection process 
             
             
               Differential 
               An actuator material expands 
               Provides greater travel in a 
               High stresses are involved 
               Piezoelectric 
             
             
               expansion 
               more on one side than on the 
               reduced print head area 
               Care must be taken that the materials 
               IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 
             
             
               bend actuator 
               other. The expansion may be 
               The bend actuator converts 
               do not delaminate 
               IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, 
             
             
                 
               thermal, piezoelectric, 
               a high force low travel 
               Residual bend resulting from high 
               IJ43, IJ44 
             
             
                 
               magnetostrictive, or other 
               actuator mechanism to 
               temperature or high stress during 
             
             
                 
               mechanism. 
               high travel, lower force 
               formation 
             
             
                 
                 
               mechanism. 
             
             
               Transient 
               A trilayer bend actuator where the 
               Very good temperature 
               High stresses are involved 
               IJ40, IJ41 
             
             
               bend actuator 
               two outside layers are identical. 
               stability 
               Care must be taken that the materials 
             
             
                 
               This cancels bend due to ambient 
               High speed, as a new drop 
               do not delaminate 
             
             
                 
               temperature and residual stress. 
               can be fired before heat 
             
             
                 
               The actuator only responds to 
               dissipates 
             
             
                 
               transient heating of one side or the 
               Cancels residual stress of 
             
             
                 
               other. 
               formation 
             
             
               Actuator 
               A series of thin actuators are 
               Increased travel 
               Increased fabrication complexity 
               Some piezoelectric 
             
             
               stack 
               stacked. This can be appropriate 
               Reduced drive voltage 
               Increased possibility of short circuits 
               ink jets 
             
             
                 
               where actuators require high 
                 
               due to pinholes 
               IJ04 
             
             
                 
               electric field strength, such as 
             
             
                 
               electrostatic and piezoelectric 
             
             
                 
               actuators. 
             
             
               Multiple 
               Multiple smaller actuators are 
               Increases the force available 
               Actuator forces may not add linearly, 
               IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 
             
             
               actuators 
               used simultaneously to move the 
               from an actuator 
               reducing efficiency 
               IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 
             
             
                 
               ink. Each actuator need provide 
               Multiple actuators can be 
             
             
                 
               only a portion of the force 
               positioned to control ink 
             
             
                 
               required. 
               flow accurately 
             
             
               Linear Spring 
               A linear spring is used to 
               Matches low travel actuator 
               Requires print head area for the spring 
               IJ15 
             
             
                 
               transform a motion with small 
               with higher travel 
             
             
                 
               travel and high force into a longer 
               requirements 
             
             
                 
               travel, lower force motion. 
               Non-contact method of 
             
             
                 
                 
               motion transformation 
             
             
               Reverse 
               The actuator loads a spring. When 
               Better coupling to the ink 
               Fabrication complexity 
               IJ05, IJ11 
             
             
               spring 
               the actuator is turned off, the 
                 
               High stress in the spring 
             
             
                 
               spring releases. This can reverse 
             
             
                 
               the force/distance curve of the 
             
             
                 
               actuator to make it compatible 
             
             
                 
               with the force/time requirements 
             
             
                 
               of the drop ejection. 
             
             
               Coiled 
               A bend actuator is coiled to 
               Increases travel 
               Generally restricted to planar 
               IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 
             
             
               actuator 
               provide greater travel in a reduced 
               Reduces chip area 
               implementations due to extreme 
             
             
                 
               chip area. 
               Planar implementations are 
               fabrication difficulty in other 
             
             
                 
                 
               relatively easy to 
               orientations. 
             
             
                 
                 
               fabricate. 
             
             
               Flexure bend 
               A bend actuator has a small 
               Simple means of increasing 
               Care must be taken not to exceed the 
               IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 
             
             
               actuator 
               region near the fixture point, 
               travel of a bend actuator 
               elastic limit in the flexure area 
             
             
                 
               which flexes much more readily 
                 
               Stress distribution is very uneven 
             
             
                 
               than the remainder of the actuator. 
                 
               Difficult to accurately model with 
             
             
                 
               The actuator flexing is effectively 
                 
               finite element analysis 
             
             
                 
               converted from an even coiling to 
             
             
                 
               an angular bend, resulting in 
             
             
                 
               greater travel of the actuator tip. 
             
             
               Gears 
               Gears can be used to increase 
               Low force, low travel 
               Moving parts are required 
               IJ13 
             
             
                 
               travel at the expense of duration. 
               actuators can be used 
               Several actuator cycles are required 
             
             
                 
               Circular gears, rack and pinion, 
               Can be fabricated using 
               More complex drive electronics 
             
             
                 
               ratchets, and other gearing 
               standard surface MEMS 
               Complex construction 
             
             
                 
               methods can be used. 
               processes 
               Friction, friction, and wear are 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               possible 
             
             
               Catch 
               The actuator controls a small 
               Very low actuator energy 
               Complex construction 
               IJ10 
             
             
                 
               catch. The catch either enables or 
               Very small actuator size 
               Requires external force 
             
             
                 
               disables movement of an ink 
                 
               Unsuitable for pigmented inks 
             
             
                 
               pusher that is controlled in a bulk 
             
             
                 
               manner. 
             
             
               Buckle plate 
               A buckle plate can be used to 
               Very fast movement 
               Must stay within elastic limits of the 
               S. Hirata et al, “An 
             
             
                 
               change a slow actuator into a fast 
               achievable 
               materials for long device life 
               Ink-jet Head . . . ”, 
             
             
                 
               motion. It can also convert a high 
                 
               High stresses involved 
               Proc. IEEE MEMS, 
             
             
                 
               force, low travel actuator into a 
                 
               Generally high power requirement 
               February 1996, 
             
             
                 
               high travel, medium force motion. 
                 
                 
               pp 418-423. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ18, IJ27 
             
             
               Tapered 
               A tapered magnetic pole can 
               Linearizes the magnetic 
               Complex construction 
               IJ14 
             
             
               magnetic 
               increase travel at the expense of 
               force/distance curve 
             
             
               pole 
               force. 
             
             
               Lever 
               A lever and fulcrum is used to 
               Matches low travel actuator 
               High stress around the fulcrum 
               IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 
             
             
                 
               transform a motion with small 
               with higher travel 
             
             
                 
               travel and high force into a 
               requirements 
             
             
                 
               motion with longer travel and 
               Fulcrum area has no linear 
             
             
                 
               lower force. The lever can also 
               movement, and can be 
             
             
                 
               reverse the direction of travel. 
               used for a fluid seal 
             
             
               Rotary 
               The actuator is connected to a 
               High mechanical advantage 
               Complex construction 
               IJ28 
             
             
               impeller 
               rotary impeller. A small angular 
               The ratio of force to travel 
               Unsuitable for pigmented inks 
             
             
                 
               deflection of the actuator results 
               of the actuator can be 
             
             
                 
               in a rotation of the impeller vanes, 
               matched to the nozzle 
             
             
                 
               which push the ink against 
               requirements by varying 
             
             
                 
               stationary vanes and out of the 
               the number of impeller 
             
             
                 
               nozzle. 
               vanes 
             
             
               Acoustic lens 
               A refractive or diffractive (e.g. 
               No moving parts 
               Large area required 
               1993 Hadimioglu et 
             
             
                 
               zone plate) acoustic lens is used to 
                 
               Only relevant for acoustic ink jets 
               al, EUP 550,192 
             
             
                 
               concentrate sound waves. 
                 
                 
               1993 Elrod et al, EUP 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               572,220 
             
             
               Sharp 
               A sharp point is used to 
               Simple construction 
               Difficult to fabricate using standard 
               Tone-jet 
             
             
               conductive 
               concentrate an electrostatic field. 
                 
               VLSI processes for a surface 
             
             
               point 
                 
                 
               ejecting ink-jet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               ACTUATOR MOTION 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Actuator 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               motion 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Volume 
               The volume of the actuator 
               Simple construction in the 
               High energy is typically required to 
               Hewlett-Packard 
             
             
               expansion 
               changes, pushing the ink in all 
               case of thermal ink jet 
               achieve volume expansion. This 
               Thermal Inkjet 
             
             
                 
               directions. 
                 
               leads to thermal stress, cavitation, 
               Canon Bubblejet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               and kogation in thermal ink jet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               implementations 
             
             
               Linear, 
               The actuator moves in a direction 
               Efficient coupling to ink 
               High fabrication complexity may be 
               IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 
             
             
               normal to 
               normal to the print head surface. 
               drops ejected normal to 
               required to achieve perpendicular 
               IJ11, IJ14 
             
             
               chip surface 
               The nozzle is typically in the line 
               the surface 
               motion 
             
             
                 
               of movement. 
             
             
               Linear, 
               The actuator moves parallel to the 
               Suitable for planar 
               Fabrication complexity 
               IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, 
             
             
               parallel to 
               print head surface. Drop ejection 
               fabrication 
               Friction 
               IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 
             
             
               chip surface 
               may still be normal to the surface. 
                 
               Stiction 
             
             
               Membrane 
               An actuator with a high force but 
               The effective area of the 
               Fabrication complexity 
               1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
               push 
               small area is used to push a stiff 
               actuator becomes the 
               Actuator size 
               4,459,601 
             
             
                 
               membrane that is in contact with 
               membrane area 
               Difficulty of integration in a VLSI 
             
             
                 
               the ink. 
                 
               process 
             
             
               Rotary 
               The actuator causes the rotation of 
               Rotary levers may be used 
               Device complexity 
               IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 
             
             
                 
               some element, such a grill or 
               to increase travel 
               May have friction at a pivot point 
             
             
                 
               impeller 
               Small chip area 
             
             
                 
                 
               requirements 
             
             
               Bend 
               The actuator bends when 
               A very small change in 
               Requires the actuator to be made from 
               1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               energized. This may be due to 
               dimensions can be 
               at least two distinct layers, or to 
               3,946,398 
             
             
                 
               differential thermal expansion, 
               converted to a large 
               have a thermal difference across the 
               1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               piezoelectric expansion, 
               motion. 
               actuator 
               3,747,120 
             
             
                 
               magnetostriction, or other form of 
                 
                 
               IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 
             
             
                 
               relative dimensional change. 
                 
                 
               IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ35 
             
             
               Swivel 
               The actuator swivels around a 
               Allows operation where the 
               Inefficient coupling to the ink motion 
               IJ06 
             
             
                 
               central pivot. This motion is 
               net linear force on the 
             
             
                 
               suitable where there are opposite 
               paddle is zero 
             
             
                 
               forces applied to opposite sides of 
               Small chip area 
             
             
                 
               the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force. 
               requirements 
             
             
               Straighten 
               The actuator is normally bent, and 
               Can be used with shape 
               Requires careful balance of stresses to 
               IJ26, IJ32 
             
             
                 
               straightens when energized. 
               memory alloys where the 
               ensure that the quiescent bend is 
             
             
                 
                 
               austenic phase is planar 
               accurate 
             
             
               Double bend 
               The actuator bends in one 
               One actuator can be used to 
               Difficult to make the drops ejected by 
               IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 
             
             
                 
               direction when one element is 
               power two nozzles. 
               both bend directions identical. 
             
             
                 
               energized, and bends the other 
               Reduced chip size. 
               A small efficiency loss compared to 
             
             
                 
               way when another element is 
               Not sensitive to ambient 
               equivalent single bend actuators. 
             
             
                 
               energized. 
               temperature 
             
             
               Shear 
               Energizing the actuator causes a 
               Can increase the effective 
               Not readily applicable to other 
               1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
               shear motion in the actuator 
               travel of piezoelectric 
               actuator mechanisms 
               4,584,590 
             
             
                 
               material. 
               actuators 
             
             
               Radial 
               The actuator squeezes an ink 
               Relatively easy to fabricate 
               High force required 
               1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
               constriction 
               reservoir, forcing ink from a 
               single nozzles from glass 
               Inefficient 
               3,683,212 
             
             
                 
               constricted nozzle. 
               tubing as macroscopic 
               Difficult to integrate with VLSI 
             
             
                 
                 
               structures 
               processes 
             
             
               Coil/uncoil 
               A coiled actuator uncoils or coils 
               Easy to fabricate as a planar 
               Difficult to fabricate for non-planar 
               IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 
             
             
                 
               more tightly. The motion of the 
               VLSI process 
               devices 
             
             
                 
               free end of the actuator ejects the 
               Small area required, 
               Poor out-of-plane stiffness 
             
             
                 
               ink. 
               therefore low cost 
             
             
               Bow 
               The actuator bows (or buckles) in 
               Can increase the speed of 
               Maximum travel is constrained 
               IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 
             
             
                 
               the middle when energized. 
               travel 
               High force required 
             
             
                 
                 
               Mechanically rigid 
             
             
               Push-Pull 
               Two actuators control a shutter. 
               The structure is pinned at 
               Not readily suitable for inkjets which 
               IJ18 
             
             
                 
               One actuator pulls the shutter, and 
               both ends, so has a high 
               directly push the ink 
             
             
                 
               the other pushes it. 
               out-of-plane rigidity 
             
             
               Curl inwards 
               A set of actuators curl inwards to 
               Good fluid flow to the 
               Design complexity 
               IJ20, IJ42 
             
             
                 
               reduce the volume of ink that they 
               region behind the actuator 
             
             
                 
               enclose. 
               increases efficiency 
             
             
               Curl 
               A set of actuators curl outwards, 
               Relatively simple 
               Relatively large chip area 
               IJ43 
             
             
               outwards 
               pressurizing ink in a chamber 
               construction 
             
             
                 
               surrounding the actuators, and 
             
             
                 
               expelling ink from a nozzle in the 
             
             
                 
               chamber. 
             
             
               Iris 
               Multiple vanes enclose a volume 
               High efficiency 
               High fabrication complexity 
               IJ22 
             
             
                 
               of ink. These simultaneously 
               Small chip area 
               Not suitable for pigmented inks 
             
             
                 
               rotate, reducing the volume 
             
             
                 
               between the vanes. 
             
             
               Acoustic 
               The actuator vibrates at a high 
               The actuator can be 
               Large area required for efficient 
               1993 Hadimioglu et 
             
             
               vibration 
               frequency. 
               physically distant from 
               operation at useful frequencies 
               al, EUP 550,192 
             
             
                 
                 
               the ink 
               Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 
               1993 Elrod et al, EUP 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Complex drive circuitry 
               572,220 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Poor control of drop volume and 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               position 
             
             
               None 
               In various ink jet designs the 
               No moving parts 
               Various other tradeoffs are required to 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
                 
               actuator does not move. 
                 
               eliminate moving parts 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Tone-jet 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               NOZZLE REFILL METHOD 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Nozzle refill 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               method 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Surface tension 
               After the actuator is energized, it 
               Fabrication simplicity 
               Low speed 
               Thermal inkjet 
             
             
                 
               typically returns rapidly to its 
               Operational simplicity 
               Surface tension force relatively small 
               Piezoelectric inkjet 
             
             
                 
               normal position. This rapid return 
                 
               compared to actuator force 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 
             
             
                 
               sucks in air through the nozzle 
                 
               Long refill time usually dominates the 
               IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 
             
             
                 
               opening. The ink surface tension 
                 
               total repetition rate 
             
             
                 
               at the nozzle then exerts a small 
             
             
                 
               force restoring the meniscus to a 
             
             
                 
               minimum area. 
             
             
               Shuttered oscillating 
               Ink to the nozzle chamber is 
               High speed 
               Requires common ink pressure 
               IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
             
             
               ink pressure 
               provided at a pressure that 
               Low actuator energy, as the 
               oscillator 
               IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
             
             
                 
               oscillates at twice the drop 
               actuator need only open 
               May not be suitable for pigmented 
             
             
                 
               ejection frequency. When a drop 
               or close the shutter, 
               inks 
             
             
                 
               is to be ejected, the shutter is 
               instead of ejecting the ink 
             
             
                 
               opened for 3 half cycles: drop 
               drop 
             
             
                 
               ejection, actuator return, and 
             
             
                 
               refill. 
             
             
               Refill 
               After the main actuator has 
               High speed, as the nozzle is 
               Requires two independent actuators 
               IJ09 
             
             
               actuator 
               ejected a drop a second (refill) 
               actively refilled 
               per nozzle 
             
             
                 
               actuator is energized. The refill 
             
             
                 
               actuator pushes ink into the nozzle 
             
             
                 
               chamber. The refill actuator 
             
             
                 
               returns slowly, to prevent its 
             
             
                 
               return from emptying the chamber 
             
             
                 
               again. 
             
             
               Positive ink 
               The ink is held a slight positive 
               High refill rate, therefore a 
               Surface spill must be prevented 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               pressure 
               pressure. After the ink drop is 
               high drop repetition rate 
               Highly hydrophobic print head 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               ejected, the nozzle chamber fills 
               is possible 
               surfaces are required 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               quickly as surface tension and ink 
                 
                 
               Alternative for: 
             
             
                 
               pressure both operate to refill the 
                 
                 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 
             
             
                 
               nozzle. 
                 
                 
               IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Inlet back-flow 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               restriction method 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Long inlet 
               The ink inlet channel to the nozzle 
               Design simplicity 
               Restricts refill rate 
               Thermal inkjet 
             
             
               channel 
               chamber is made long and 
               Operational simplicity 
               May result in a relatively large chip 
               Piezoelectric inkjet 
             
             
                 
               relatively narrow, relying on 
               Reduces crosstalk 
               area 
               IJ42, IJ43 
             
             
                 
               viscous drag to reduce inlet back- 
                 
               Only partially effective 
             
             
                 
               flow. 
             
             
               Positive ink pressure 
               The ink is under a positive 
               Drop selection and 
               Requires a method (such as a nozzle 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
                 
               pressure, so that in the quiescent 
               separation forces can be 
               rim or effective hydrophobizing, or 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               state some of the ink drop already 
               reduced 
               both) to prevent flooding of the 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               protrudes from the nozzle. 
               Fast refill time 
               ejection surface of the print head. 
               Possible operation of 
             
             
                 
               This reduces the pressure in the 
                 
                 
               the following: 
             
             
                 
               nozzle chamber which is required 
                 
                 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 
             
             
                 
               to eject a certain volume of ink. 
                 
                 
               IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, 
             
             
                 
               The reduction in chamber 
                 
                 
               IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 
             
             
                 
               pressure results in a reduction in 
                 
                 
               IJ44 
             
             
                 
               ink pushed out through the inlet. 
             
             
               Baffle 
               One or more baffles are placed in 
               The refill rate is not as 
               Design complexity 
               HP Thermal Ink Jet 
             
             
                 
               the inlet ink flow. When the 
               restricted as the long inlet 
               May increase fabrication complexity 
               Tektronix 
             
             
                 
               actuator is energized, the rapid ink 
               method. 
               (e.g. Tektronix hot melt 
               piezoelectric ink jet 
             
             
                 
               movement creates eddies which 
               Reduces crosstalk 
               Piezoelectric print heads). 
             
             
                 
               restrict the flow through the inlet. 
             
             
                 
               The slower refill process is 
             
             
                 
               unrestricted, and does not result in 
             
             
                 
               eddies. 
             
             
               Flexible flap 
               In this method recently disclosed 
               Significantly reduces back- 
               Not applicable to most inkjet 
               Canon 
             
             
               restricts inlet 
               by Canon, the expanding actuator 
               flow for edge-shooter 
               configurations 
             
             
                 
               (bubble) pushes on a flexible flap 
               thermal ink jet devices 
               Increased fabrication complexity 
             
             
                 
               that restricts the inlet. 
                 
               Inelastic deformation of polymer flap 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               results in creep over extended use 
             
             
               Inlet filter 
               A filter is located between the ink 
               Additional advantage of ink 
               Restricts refill rate 
               IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27 
             
             
                 
               inlet and the nozzle chamber. The 
               filtration 
               May result in complex construction 
               IJ29, IJ30 
             
             
                 
               filter has a multitude of small 
               Ink filter may be fabricated 
             
             
                 
               holes or slots, restricting ink flow. 
               with no additional 
             
             
                 
               The filter also removes particles 
               process steps 
             
             
                 
               which may block the nozzle. 
             
             
               Small inlet 
               The ink inlet channel to the nozzle 
               Design simplicity 
               Restricts refill rate 
               IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 
             
             
               compared to 
               chamber has a substantially 
                 
               May result in a relatively large chip 
             
             
               nozzle 
               smaller cross section than that of 
                 
               area 
             
             
                 
               the nozzle, resulting in easier ink 
                 
               Only partially effective 
             
             
                 
               egress out of the nozzle than out 
             
             
                 
               of the inlet. 
             
             
               Inlet shutter 
               A secondary actuator controls the 
               Increases speed of the ink- 
               Requires separate refill actuator and 
               IJ09 
             
             
                 
               position of a shutter, closing off 
               jet print head operation 
               drive circuit 
             
             
                 
               the ink inlet when the main 
             
             
                 
               actuator is energized. 
             
             
               The inlet is 
               The method avoids the problem of 
               Back-flow problem is 
               Requires careful design to minimize 
               IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 
             
             
               located 
               inlet back-flow by arranging the 
               eliminated 
               the negative pressure behind the 
               IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 
             
             
               behind the 
               ink-pushing surface of the 
                 
               paddle 
               IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 
             
             
               ink-pushing 
               actuator between the inlet and the 
                 
                 
               IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 
             
             
               surface 
               nozzle. 
                 
                 
               IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ40, IJ41 
             
             
               Part of the 
               The actuator and a wall of the ink 
               Significant reductions in 
               Small increase in fabrication 
               IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 
             
             
               actuator 
               chamber are arranged so that the 
               back-flow can be 
               complexity 
             
             
               moves to 
               motion of the actuator closes off 
               achieved 
             
             
               shut off the 
               the inlet. 
               Compact designs possible 
             
             
               inlet 
             
             
               Nozzle 
               In some configurations of ink jet, 
               Ink back-flow problem is 
               None related to ink back-flow on 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               actuator does 
               there is no expansion or 
               eliminated 
               actuation 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
               not result in ink back- 
               movement of an actuator which 
                 
                 
               patent applications 
             
             
               flow 
               may cause ink back-flow through 
                 
                 
               Valve-jet 
             
             
                 
               the inlet. 
                 
                 
               Tone-jet 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Nozzle Clearing 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               method 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Normal 
               All of the nozzles are fired 
               No added complexity on the 
               May not be sufficient to displace dried 
               Most ink jet systems 
             
             
               nozzle firing 
               periodically, before the ink has a 
               print head 
               ink 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 
             
             
                 
               chance to dry. When not in use 
                 
                 
               IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 
             
             
                 
               the nozzles are sealed (capped) 
                 
                 
               IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 
             
             
                 
               against air. 
             
             
                 
               The nozzle firing is usually 
             
             
                 
               performed during a special 
             
             
                 
               clearing cycle, after first moving 
             
             
                 
               the print head to a cleaning 
             
             
                 
               station. 
             
             
               Extra power 
               In systems which heat the ink, but 
               Can be highly effective if 
               Requires higher drive voltage for 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               to ink heater 
               do not boil it under normal 
               the heater is adjacent to 
               clearing 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               situations, nozzle clearing can be 
               the nozzle 
               May require larger drive transistors 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               achieved by over-powering the 
             
             
                 
               heater and boiling ink at the 
             
             
                 
               nozzle. 
             
             
               Rapid 
               The actuator is fired in rapid 
               Does not require extra drive 
               Effectiveness depends substantially 
               May be used with: 
             
             
               succession 
               succession. In some 
               circuits on the print head 
               upon the configuration of the inkjet 
               IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 
             
             
               of actuator 
               configurations, this may cause 
               Can be readily controlled 
               nozzle 
               IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 
             
             
               pulses 
               heat build-up at the nozzle which 
               and initiated by digital 
                 
               IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 
             
             
                 
               boils the ink, clearing the nozzle. 
               logic 
                 
               IJ36-IJ45 
             
             
                 
               In other situations, it may cause 
             
             
                 
               sufficient vibrations to dislodge 
             
             
                 
               clogged nozzles. 
             
             
               Extra power 
               Where an actuator is not normally 
               A simple solution where 
               Not suitable where there is a hard limit 
               May be used with: 
             
             
               to ink 
               driven to the limit of its motion, 
               applicable 
               to actuator movement 
               IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 
             
             
               pushing 
               nozzle clearing may be assisted by 
                 
                 
               IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 
             
             
               actuator 
               providing an enhanced drive 
                 
                 
               IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
             
             
                 
               signal to the actuator. 
                 
                 
               IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 
             
             
               Acoustic 
               An ultrasonic wave is applied to 
               A high nozzle clearing 
               High implementation cost if system 
               IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
             
             
               resonance 
               the ink chamber. This wave is of 
               capability can be 
               does not already include an acoustic 
               IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
             
             
                 
               an appropriate amplitude and 
               achieved 
               actuator 
             
             
                 
               frequency to cause sufficient force 
               May be implemented at very 
             
             
                 
               at the nozzle to clear blockages, 
               low cost in systems which 
             
             
                 
               This is easiest to achieve if the 
               already include acoustic 
             
             
                 
               ultrasonic wave is at a resonant 
               actuators 
             
             
                 
               frequency of the ink cavity. 
             
             
               Nozzle 
               A microfabricated plate is pushed 
               Can clear severely clogged 
               Accurate mechanical alignment is 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               clearing plate 
               against the nozzles. The plate has 
               nozzles 
               required 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
                 
               a post for every nozzle. The array 
                 
               Moving parts are required 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
               of posts 
                 
               There is risk of damage to the nozzles 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Accurate fabrication is required 
             
             
               Ink pressure 
               The pressure of the ink is 
               May be effective where 
               Requires pressure pump or other 
               May be used with all 
             
             
               pulse 
               temporarily increased so that ink 
               other methods cannot be 
               pressure actuator 
               IJ series ink jets 
             
             
                 
               streams from all of the nozzles. 
               used 
               Expensive 
             
             
                 
               This may be used in conjunction 
                 
               Wasteful of ink 
             
             
                 
               with actuator energizing. 
             
             
               Print head 
               A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across 
               Effective for planar print 
               Difficult to use if print head surface is 
               Many ink jet systems 
             
             
               wiper 
               the print head surface. The blade 
               head surfaces 
               non-planar or very fragile 
             
             
                 
               is usually fabricated from a 
               Low cost 
               Requires mechanical parts 
             
             
                 
               flexible polymer, e.g. rubber or 
                 
               Blade can wear out in high volume 
             
             
                 
               synthetic elastomer. 
                 
               print systems 
             
             
               Separate ink 
               A separate heater is provided at 
               Can be effective where 
               Fabrication complexity 
               Can be used with 
             
             
               boiling heater 
               the nozzle although the normal 
               other nozzle clearing 
                 
               many IJ series ink 
             
             
                 
               drop e-ection mechanism does 
               methods cannot be used 
                 
               jets 
             
             
                 
               not require it. The heaters do not 
               Can be implemented at no 
             
             
                 
               require individual drive circuits, 
               additional cost in some 
             
             
                 
               as many nozzles can be cleared 
               inkjet configurations 
             
             
                 
               simultaneously, and no imaging is 
             
             
                 
               required. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Nozzle plate 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               construction 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Electroformed 
               A nozzle plate is separately 
               Fabrication simplicity 
               High temperatures and pressures are 
               Hewlett Packard 
             
             
               nickel 
               fabricated from electroformed 
                 
               required to bond nozzle plate 
               Thermal Inkjet 
             
             
                 
               nickel, and bonded to the print 
                 
               Minimum thickness constraints 
             
             
                 
               head chip. 
                 
               Differential thermal expansion 
             
             
               Laser ablated 
               Individual nozzle holes are 
               No masks required 
               Each hole must be individually formed 
               Canon Bubblejet 
             
             
               or drilled 
               ablated by an intense UV laser in 
               Can be quite fast 
               Special equipment required 
               1988 Sercel et al., 
             
             
               polymer 
               a nozzle plate, which is typically a 
               Some control over nozzle 
               Slow where there are many thousands 
               SPIE, Vol. 998 
             
             
                 
               polymer such as polyimide or 
               profile is possible 
               of nozzles per print head 
               Excimer Beam 
             
             
                 
               polysulphone 
               Equipment required is 
               May produce thin burrs at exit holes 
               Applications, pp. 
             
             
                 
                 
               relatively low cost 
                 
               76-83 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               1993 Watanabe et al., 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 
             
             
               Silicon 
               A separate nozzle plate is 
               High accuracy is 
               Two part construction 
               K. Bean, IEEE 
             
             
               micromachined 
               micromachined from single 
               attainable 
               High cost 
               Transactions on 
             
             
                 
               crystal silicon, and bonded to the 
                 
               Requires precision alignment 
               Electron Devices, 
             
             
                 
               print head wafer. 
                 
               Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive 
               Vol. ED-25, No. 10, 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               1978, pp 1185-1195 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Xerox 1990 Hawkins 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               et al., U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               4,899,181 
             
             
               Glass 
               Fine glass capillaries are drawn 
               No expensive equipment 
               Very small nozzle sizes are difficult to 
               1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
               capillaries 
               from glass tubing. This method 
               required 
               form 
               3,683,212 
             
             
                 
               has been used for making 
               Simple to make single 
               Not suited for mass production 
             
             
                 
               individual nozzles, but is difficult 
               nozzles 
             
             
                 
               to use for bulk manufacturing of 
             
             
                 
               print heads with thousands of 
             
             
                 
               nozzles. 
             
             
               Monolithic, 
               The nozzle plate is deposited as a 
               High accuracy (&lt;1 μm) 
               Requires sacrificial layer under the 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               surface 
               layer using standard VLSI 
               Monolithic 
               nozzle plate to form the nozzle 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
               micromachined 
               deposition techniques. Nozzles 
               Low cost 
               chamber 
               patent applications 
             
             
               using VLSI 
               are etched in the nozzle plate 
               Existing processes can be 
               Surface may be fragile to the touch 
               IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 
             
             
               lithographic 
               using VLSI lithography and 
               used 
                 
               IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 
             
             
               processes 
               etching. 
                 
                 
               IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 
             
             
               Monolithic, 
               The nozzle plate is a buried etch 
               High accuracy (&lt;1 μm) 
               Requires long etch times 
               IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 
             
             
               etched 
               stop in the wafer. Nozzle 
               Monolithic 
               Requires a support wafer 
               IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 
             
             
               through 
               chambers are etched in the front 
               Low cost 
                 
               IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 
             
             
               substrate 
               of the wafer, and the wafer is 
               No differential expansion 
                 
               IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 
             
             
                 
               thinned from the back side. 
             
             
                 
               Nozzles are then etched in the 
             
             
                 
               etch stop layer. 
             
             
               No nozzle 
               Various methods have been tried 
               No nozzles to become 
               Difficult to control drop position 
               Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et 
             
             
               plate 
               to eliminate the nozzles entirely, 
               clogged 
               accurately 
               al U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 
             
             
                 
               to prevent nozzle clogging. These 
                 
               Crosstalk problems 
               1993 Hadimioglu et al 
             
             
                 
               include thermal bubble 
                 
                 
               EUP 550,192 
             
             
                 
               mechanisms and acoustic lens 
                 
                 
               1993 Elrod et al EUP 
             
             
                 
               mechanisms 
                 
                 
               572,220 
             
             
               Trough 
               Each drop ejector has a trough 
               Reduced manufacturing 
               Drop firing direction is sensitive to 
               IJ35 
             
             
                 
               through which a paddle moves. 
               complexity 
               wicking. 
             
             
                 
               There is no nozzle plate. 
               Monolithic 
             
             
               Nozzle slit 
               The elimination of nozzle holes 
               No nozzles to become 
               Difficult to control drop position 
               1989 Saito et al U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
               instead of 
               and replacement by a slit 
               clogged 
               accurately 
               4,799,068 
             
             
               individual 
               encompassing many actuator 
                 
               Crosstalk problems 
             
             
               nozzles 
               positions reduces nozzle clogging, 
             
             
                 
               but increases crosstalk due to ink 
             
             
                 
               surface waves 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
          
             
                 
             
             
               DROP EJECTION DIRECTION 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Ejection direction 
               Description 
               Advantages 
               Disadvantages 
               Examples 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Edge 
               Ink flow is along the surface of 
               Simple construction 
               Nozzles limited to edge 
               Canon Bubblejet 1979 
             
             
               (‘edge 
               the chip, and ink drops are ejected 
               No silicon etching required 
               High resolution is difficult 
               Endo et al GB 
             
             
               shooter’) 
               from the chip edge. 
               Good heat sinking via 
               Fast color printing requires one print 
               patent 2,007,162 
             
             
                 
                 
               substrate 
               head per color 
               Xerox heater-in-pit 
             
             
                 
                 
               Mechanically strong 
                 
               1990 Hawkins et al 
             
             
                 
                 
               Ease of chip handing 
                 
               U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               Tone-jet 
             
             
               Surface 
               Ink flow is along the surface of 
               No bulk silicon etching 
               Maximum ink flow is severely 
               Hewlett-Packard TIJ 
             
             
               (‘roof 
               the chip, and ink drops are ejected 
               required 
               restricted 
               1982 Vaught et al 
             
             
               shooter’) 
               from the chip surface, normal to 
               Silicon can make an 
                 
               U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 
             
             
                 
               the plane of the chip. 
               effective heat sink 
                 
               IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 
             
             
                 
                 
               Mechanical strength 
                 
               IJ22 
             
             
               Through 
               Ink flow is through the chip, and 
               High ink flow 
               Requires bulk silicon etching 
               Silverbrook, EP 0771 
             
             
               chip, forward 
               ink drops are ejected from the 
               Suitable for pagewidth print 
                 
               658 A2 and related 
             
             
               (‘up shooter’) 
               front surface of the chip. 
               High nozzle packing density 
                 
               patent applications 
             
             
                 
                 
               therefore low 
                 
               IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 
             
             
                 
                 
               manufacturing cost 
                 
               IJ27-IJ45 
             
             
               Through 
               Ink flow is through the chip, and 
               High ink flow 
               Requires wafer thinning 
               IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 
             
             
               chip, reverse 
               ink drops are ejected from the rear 
               Suitable for pagewidth print 
               Requires special handling during 
               IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 
             
             
               (‘down 
               surface of the chip. 
               High nozzle packing density 
               manufacture 
               IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 
             
             
               shooter’) 
                 
               therefore low 
                 
               IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 
             
             
                 
                 
               manufacturing cost 
                 
               IJ26 
             
             
               Through 
               Ink flow is through the actuator, 
               Suitable for piezoelectric 
               Pagewidth print heads require several 
               Epson Stylus 
             
             
               actuator 
               which is not fabricated as part of 
               print heads 
               thousand connections to drive 
               Tektronix hot melt 
             
             
                 
               the same substrate as the drive 
                 
               circuits 
               piezoelectric ink 
             
             
                 
               transistors. 
                 
               Cannot be manufactured in standard 
               jets 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CMOS fabs 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Complex assembly required 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
                          INK TYPE                                 Ink type   Description   Advantages   Disadvantages   Examples               Aqueous, dye   Water based ink which typically   Environmentally friendly   Slow drying   Most existing inkjets           contains: water, dye, surfactant,   No odor   Corrosive   All IJ series ink jets           humectant, and biocide.       Bleeds on paper   Silverbrook, EP 0771           Modern ink dyes have high water-       May strikethrough   658 A2 and related           fastness, light fastness       Cockles paper   patent applications       Aqueous,   Water based ink which typically   Environmentally friendly   Slow drying   IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26       pigment   contains: water, pigment,   No odor   Corrosive   IJ27, IJ30           surfactant, humectant, and   Reduced bleed   Pigment may clog nozzles   Silverbrook, EP 0771           biocide.   Reduced wicking   Pigment may clog actuator   658 A2 and related           Pigments have an advantage in   Reduced strikethrough   mechanisms   patent applications           reduced bleed, wicking and       Cockles paper   Piezoelectric ink-jets           strikethrough.           Thermal ink jets (with                       significant                       restrictions)       Methyl Ethyl   MEK is a highly volatile solvent   Very fast drying   Odorous   All IJ series ink jets       Ketone (MEK)   used for industrial printing on   Prints on various substrates   Flammable           difficult surfaces such as   such as metals and           aluminum cans.   plastics       Alcohol   Alcohol based inks can be used   Fast drying   Slight odor   All IJ series ink jets       (ethanol, 2-   where the printer must operate at   Operates at sub-freezing   Flammable       butanol, and   temperatures below the freezing   temperatures       others)   point of water. An example of this   Reduced paper cockle           is in-camera consumer   Low cost           photographic printing.       Phase   The ink is solid at room   No drying time-ink   High viscosity   Tektronix hot melt       change   temperature, and is melted in the   instantly freezes on the   Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel   piezoelectric ink       (hot melt)   print head before jetting. Hot melt   print medium   Printed pages may ‘block’   jets           inks are usually wax based, with a   Almost any print medium   Ink temperature may be above the   1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No.           melting point around 80° C. After   can be used   curie point of permanent magnets   4,820,346           jetting the ink freezes almost   No paper cockle occurs   Ink heaters consume power   All IJ series ink jets           instantly upon contacting the print   No wicking occurs   Long warm-up time           medium or a transfer roller.   No bleed occurs               No strikethrough occurs       Oil   Oil based inks are extensively   High solubility medium for   High viscosity: this is a significant   All IJ series ink jets           used in offset printing. They have   some dyes   limitation for use in inkjets, which           advantages in improved   Does not cockle paper   usually require a low viscosity.           characteristics on paper   Does not wick through   Some short chain and multi-           (especially no wicking or cockle).   paper   branched oils have a sufficiently           Oil soluble dies and pigments are       low viscosity.           required.       Slow drying       Microemulsion   A microemulsion is a stable, self   Stops ink bleed   Viscosity higher than water   All IJ series ink jets           forming emulsion of oil, water,   High dye solubility   Cost is slightly higher than water           and surfactant. The characteristic   Water, oil, and amphiphilic   based ink           drop size is less than 100 nm, and   soluble dies can be used   High surfactant concentration required           is determined by the preferred   Can stabilize pigment   (around 5%)           curvature of the surfactant.   suspensions                    
Ink Jet Printing
 
   A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian                   Pro-           U.S. Patent/Patent       visional           Application and       Number   Filing Date   Title   Filing Date                  PO8066   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,227,652               and Apparatus (IJ01)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8072   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,213,588               and Apparatus (IJ02)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8040   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,213,589               and Apparatus (IJ03)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8071   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,231,163               and Apparatus (IJ04)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8047   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,795               and Apparatus (IJ05)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8035   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,394,581               and Apparatus (IJ06)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8044   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,244,691               and Apparatus (IJ07)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8063   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,257,704               and Apparatus (IJ08)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8057   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,416,168               and Apparatus (IJ09)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8056   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,220,694               and Apparatus (IJ10)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8069   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,257,705               and Apparatus (IJ11)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8049   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,794               and Apparatus (IJ12)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8036   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,234,610               and Apparatus (IJ13)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8048   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,793               and Apparatus (IJ14)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8070   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,264,306               and Apparatus (IJ15)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8067   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,241,342               and Apparatus (IJ16)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8001   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,792               and Apparatus (IJ17)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8038   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,264,307               and Apparatus (IJ18)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8033   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,254,220               and Apparatus (IJ19)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8002   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,234,611               and Apparatus (IJ20)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8068   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,302,528               and Apparatus (IJ21)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8062   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,283,582               and Apparatus (IJ22)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8034   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,239,821               and Apparatus (IJ23)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8039   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,338,547               and Apparatus (IJ24)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8041   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,796               and Apparatus (IJ25)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8004   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   09/113,122               and Apparatus (IJ26)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8037   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,390,603               and Apparatus (IJ27)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8043   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,362,843               and Apparatus (IJ28)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8042   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,293,653               and Apparatus (IJ29)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8064   15 Jul. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,312,107               and Apparatus (IJ30)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO9389   23 Sep. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,227,653               and Apparatus (IJ31)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO9391   23 Sep. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,234,609               and Apparatus (IJ32)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0888   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,238,040               and Apparatus (IJ33)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0891   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,188,415               and Apparatus (IJ34)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0890   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,227,654               and Apparatus (IJ35)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0873   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,209,989               and Apparatus (IJ36)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0993   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,247,791               and Apparatus (IJ37)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0890   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation Method   6,336,710               and Apparatus (IJ38)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP1398   19 Jan. 1998   An Image Creation   6,217,153               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IJ39)       PP2592   25 Mar. 1998   An Image Creation   6,416,167               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IJ40)       PP2593   25 Mar. 1998   Image Creation Method   6,243,113               and Apparatus (IJ41)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP3991   9 Jun. 1998   Image Creation Method   6,283,581               and Apparatus (IJ42)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP3987   9 Jun. 1998   Image Creation Method   6,247,790               and Apparatus (IJ43)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP3985   9 Jun. 1998   Image Creation Method   6,260,953               and Apparatus (IJ44)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP3983   9 Jun. 1998   Image Creation Method   6,267,469               and Apparatus (IJ45)   (Jul. 10, 1998)                    
Ink Jet Manufacturing
 
   Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian                   Pro-           U.S. Patent/Patent       visional   Filing       Application and       Number   Date   Title   Filing Date                  PO7935   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,224,780               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM01)       PO7936   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,235,212               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM02)       PO7937   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,280,643               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM03)       PO8061   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,284,147               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM04)       PO8054   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,214,244               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM05)       PO8065   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,071,750               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM06)       PO8055   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,267,905               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM07)       PO8053   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,251,298               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM08)       PO8078   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,258,285               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM09)       PO7933   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,225,138               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM10)       PO7950   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,241,904               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM11)       PO7949   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,299,786               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM12)       PO8060   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   09/113,124               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM13)       PO8059   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,231,773               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM14)       PO8073   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,190,931               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM15)       PO8076   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,248,249               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM16)       PO8075   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,290,862               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM17)       PO8079   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,241,906               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM18)       PO8050   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   09/113,116               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM19)       PO8052   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,241,905               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM20)       PO7948   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,451,216               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM21)       PO7951   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,231,772               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM22)       PO8074   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,274,056               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM23)       PO7941   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,290,861               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM24)       PO8077   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,248,248               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM25)       PO8058   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,306,671               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM26)       PO8051   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,331,258               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM27)       PO8045   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,110,754               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM28)       PO7952   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,294,101               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM29)       PO8046   15 Jul. 1997   A Method of   6,416,679               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM30)       PO8503   11 Aug. 1997   A Method of   6,264,849               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM30a)       PO9390   23 Sep. 1997   A Method of   6,254,793               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM31)       PO9392   23 Sep. 1997   A Method of   6,235,211               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM32)       PP0889   12 Dec. 1997   A Method of   6,235,211               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM35)       PP0887   12 Dec. 1997   A Method of   6,264,850               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM36)       PP0882   12 Dec. 1997   A Method of   6,258,284               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM37)       PP0874   12 Dec. 1997   A Method of   6,258,284               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM38)       PP1396   19 Jan. 1998   A Method of   6,228,668               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM39)       PP2591   25 Mar. 1998   A Method of   6,180,427               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM41)       PP3989   9 Jun. 1998   A Method of   6,171,875               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM40)       PP3990   9 Jun. 1998   A Method of   6,267,904               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM42)       PP3986   9 Jun. 1998   A Method of   6,245,247               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM43)       PP3984   9 Jun. 1998   A Method of   6,245,247               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM44)       PP3982   9 Jun. 1998   A Method of   6,231,148               Manufacture of an Image   (Jul. 10, 1998)               Creation Apparatus               (IJM45)                    
Fluid Supply
 
   Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian           U.S. Patent/Patent       Provisional   Filing       Application       Number   Date   Title   and Filing Date                  PO8003   15 Jul. 1997   Supply Method and   6,350,023               Apparatus (F1)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8005   15 Jul. 1997   Supply Method and   6,318,849               Apparatus (F2)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO9404   23 Sep. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,101               (F3)   (Jul. 10, 1998)                    
MEMS Technology
 
   Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian           U.S. Patent/Patent       Provisional           Application       Number   Filing Date   Title   and Filing Date                  PO7943   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS01)           PO8006   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS02)   6,087,638                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8007   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS03)   09/113,093                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8008   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS04)   6,340,222                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8010   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS05)   6,041,600                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO8011   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS06)   6,299,300                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO7947   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS07)   6,067,797                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO7945   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS08)   09/113,081                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO7944   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS09)   6,286,935                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO7946   15 Jul. 1997   A device (MEMS10)   6,044,646                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PO9393   23 Sep. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,065               (MEMS11)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0875   12 Dec. 1997   A Device (MEMS12)   09/113,078                   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0894   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,075               (MEMS13)   (Jul. 10, 1998)                    
IR Technologies
 
   Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian           U.S. Patent/Patent       Provisional           Application and       Number   Filing Date   Title   Filing Date                  PP0895   12 Dec. 1997   An Image Creation   6,231,148               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IR01)       PP0870   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,106               (IR02)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0869   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   6,293,658               (IR04)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0887   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation   09/113,104               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IR05)       PP0885   12 Dec. 1997   An Image Production   6,238,033               System (IR06)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0884   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation   6,312,070               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IR10)       PP0886   12 Dec. 1997   Image Creation   6,238,111               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IR12)       PP0871   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,086               (IR13)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0876   12 Dec. 1997   An Image Processing   09/113,094               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (IR14)       PP0877   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   6,378,970               (IR16)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0878   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   6,196,739               (IR17)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0879   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   09/112,774               (IR18)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0883   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   6,270,182               (IR19)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0880   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   6,152,619               (IR20)   (Jul. 10, 1998)       PP0881   12 Dec. 1997   A Device and Method   09/113,092               (IR21)   (Jul. 10, 1998)                    
DotCard Technologies
 
   Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
                                       Australian           U.S. Patent/Patent       Provisional           Application       Number   Filing Date   Title   and Filing Date                  PP2370   16 Mar. 1998   Data Processing   09/112,781               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (Dot01)       PP2371   16 Mar. 1998   Data Processing   09/113,052               Method and Apparatus   (Jul. 10, 1998)               (Dot02)                    
Artcam Technologies
 
   Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Australian 
                 
                 
               U.S. Patent/Patent 
             
             
               Provisional 
                 
                 
               Application and 
             
             
               Number 
               Filing Date 
               Title 
               Filing Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               PO7991 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/113,060 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART01) 
             
             
               PO7988 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,476,863 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART02) 
             
             
               PO7993 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/113,073 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART03) 
             
             
               PO9395 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,322,181 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART04) 
             
             
               PO8017 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,747 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART06) 
             
             
               PO8014 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               6,227,648 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART07) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO8025 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,750 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART08) 
             
             
               PO8032 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,746 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART09) 
             
             
               PO7999 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,743 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART10) 
             
             
               PO7998 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,742 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART11) 
             
             
               PO8031 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,741 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART12) 
             
             
               PO8030 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               6,196,541 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART13) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO7997 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               6,195,150 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART15) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO7979 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               6,362,868 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART16) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO8015 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               09/112,738 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART17) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO7978 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Device 
               09/113,067 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART18) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
               PO7982 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,431,669 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART19) 
             
             
               PO7989 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,362,869 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART20) 
             
             
               PO8019 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Media Processing 
               6,472,052 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART21) 
             
             
               PO7980 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,356,715 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART22) 
             
             
               PO8018 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,777 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART24) 
             
             
               PO7938 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/113,224 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART25) 
             
             
               PO8016 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,366,693 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART26) 
             
             
               PO8024 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,329,990 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART27) 
             
             
               PO7940 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,072 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART28) 
             
             
               PO7939 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/112,785 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART29) 
             
             
               PO8501 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,137,500 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART30) 
             
             
               PO8500 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,796 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART31) 
             
             
               PO7987 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,071 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART32) 
             
             
               PO8022 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,398,328 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART33) 
             
             
               PO8497 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/113,090 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART34) 
             
             
               PO8020 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,431,704 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART38) 
             
             
               PO8023 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,222 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART39) 
             
             
               PO8504 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,786 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART42) 
             
             
               PO8000 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,415,054 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART43) 
             
             
               PO7977 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/112,782 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART44) 
             
             
               PO7934 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,056 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART45) 
             
             
               PO7990 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,059 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART46) 
             
             
               PO8499 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,486,886 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART47) 
             
             
               PO8502 
               11 Aug. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,381,361 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART48) 
             
             
               PO7981 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,317,192 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART50) 
             
             
               PO7986 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,057 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART51) 
             
             
               PO7983 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,054 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART52) 
             
             
               PO8026 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,752 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART53) 
             
             
               PO8027 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,759 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART54) 
             
             
               PO8028 
               15 Jul. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               09/112,757 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART56) 
             
             
               PO9394 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Image Processing 
               6,357,135 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART57) 
             
             
               PO9396 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/113,107 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART58) 
             
             
               PO9397 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,271,931 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART59) 
             
             
               PO9398 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,353,772 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART60) 
             
             
               PO9399 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,106,147 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART61) 
             
             
               PO9400 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/112,790 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART62) 
             
             
               PO9401 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,304,291 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART63) 
             
             
               PO9402 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               09/112,788 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART64) 
             
             
               PO9403 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,305,770 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART65) 
             
             
               PO9405 
               23 Sep. 1997 
               Data Processing 
               6,289,262 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART66) 
             
             
               PP0959 
               16 Dec. 1997 
               A Data Processing 
               6,315,200 
             
             
                 
                 
               Method and Apparatus 
               (Jul. 10, 1998) 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART68) 
             
             
               PP1397 
               19 Jan. 1998 
               A Media Device 
               6,217,165 
             
             
                 
                 
               (ART69) 
               (Jul. 10, 1998)