Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20070046754?dq=%22peter+l+basel%22+%22lsi+logic%22
Timestamp: 2014-09-30 22:33:49
Document Index: 29522260

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART01', 'ART02', 'ART03', 'ART04', 'ART06', 'ART07', 'ART08', 'ART09', 'ART10', 'ART11', 'ART12', 'ART13', 'ART15', 'ART16', 'ART17', 'ART18', 'ART19', 'ART20', 'ART21', 'ART22', 'ART24', 'ART25', 'ART26', 'ART27', 'ART28', 'ART29', 'ART30', 'ART31', 'ART32', 'ART33', 'ART34', 'ART38', 'ART39', 'ART42', 'ART43', 'ART44', 'ART45', 'ART46', 'ART47', 'ART48', 'ART50', 'ART51', 'ART52', 'ART53', 'ART54', 'ART56', 'ART57', 'ART58', 'ART59', 'ART60', 'ART61', 'ART62', 'ART63', 'ART64', 'ART65', 'ART66', 'ART68', 'ART69']

Patent US20070046754 - Inkjet cartridge with ink reservoir core and releasable housing - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA print roll unit includes an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core. The chambers are isolated to store respective inks. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound...http://www.google.com/patents/US20070046754?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070046754 - Inkjet cartridge with ink reservoir core and releasable housingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20070046754 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/592,181Publication dateMar 1, 2007Filing dateNov 3, 2006Priority dateJul 15, 1997Also published asUS7246897, US7404633, US20040196472Publication number11592181, 592181, US 2007/0046754 A1, US 2007/046754 A1, US 20070046754 A1, US 20070046754A1, US 2007046754 A1, US 2007046754A1, US-A1-20070046754, US-A1-2007046754, US2007/0046754A1, US2007/046754A1, US20070046754 A1, US20070046754A1, US2007046754 A1, US2007046754A1InventorsKia SilverbrookOriginal AssigneeSilverbrook Research Pty LtdExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (2), Classifications (77), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInkjet cartridge with ink reservoir core and releasable housingUS 20070046754 A1Abstract A print roll unit includes an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core. The chambers are isolated to store respective inks. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A housing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media. Images(6) Claims(9)
1. A print roll unit that comprises an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core, the chambers being isolated to store respective inks; a roll of print media including a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former; and a housing including a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media. 2. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of the core defines a plurality of serpentine breathing channels each in fluid communication with a respective ink chamber to facilitate the egress of ink from the ink chambers. 3. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the core further includes sealing tape which covers the breathing channels. 4. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core includes an elongate molded part defining the ink chambers, and a rubber sealing cap which can be engaged with an end of the molded part to seal the ink chambers. 5. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core defines a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs which can engage with the inside of the tubular former. 6. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded covers define complementary formations to enable the molded covers to be snap fitted together. 7. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the molded covers defines an elongate slot through which the print media can exit the print roll unit. 8. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a plurality of pinch rollers which are each rotationally mounted to the housing and are arranged to de-curl the print media as it is unwound from the roll. 9. A camera including a print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, and a printer in fluid communication with the core and configured to print captured images on the print media with ink stored in the ink chambers.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a Continuation of Ser. No. 10/831,243 filed Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part of 09/112,743 filed 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 personalized 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 for rotatably supporting the roll; and, a drive roller assembly for feeding the print media to the printhead, the drive roller assembly comprising 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, the casing has a rotatable core for supporting the media roll 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 a particularly preferred form, the core has an ink supply for the printhead, and an ink outlet in one of the ends of the core for fluid communication with the printhead. 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. 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.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the present applicant's application entitled �A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability�, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below. The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an �Artcam� type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images. In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor for determining the light level associated with the captured image. This auto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance with the set light value so as to enhance portions of the image. Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining the light conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjusts the dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with the detected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcam central processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information, as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP. This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor to manipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects. Turning now to FIG. 1, the auto exposure setting information 1 is utilised in conjunction with the stored image 2 to process the image by utilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory store for later printing out 4 on the output printer. A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with the determined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting 1 indicates that the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixel colours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image colours stronger, deeper and richer. Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditions were present when the image was taken, the image colours can be processed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring of the image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to a hue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values in accordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be output converted to the required output colour format of printing. Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised. Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisite Artcard inserted into the reader. Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automatically applied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certain conditions. Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulations applied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting. For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in a dark image and large suns inserted in bright images. Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the Artcam prints the images onto media stored in a replaceable print roll 5. In some preferred embodiments, the operation of the camera device is such that when a series of images is printed on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backing surface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched at the nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way, personalized postcards can be created. It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system as illustrated FIG. 2 only predetermined image sizes are possible as the synchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front image must be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memory portions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll 5 to store details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. This can be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or by storing each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory. In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of print roll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plastic pieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print roll has a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplified construction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed is wrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. The ink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed so as to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents. Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with the rubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camera system. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot and the ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which provides and assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slot relative to the printhead within the printing or camera system. Turning to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a single point roll unit 5 in an assembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of the print roll. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate left and right side exploded perspective views respectively. The print roll 5 is constructed around the internal core portion 6 which contains an internal ink supply. Outside of the core portion 6 is provided a former 7 around which is wrapped a paper or film supply 8. Around the paper supply it is constructed two cover pieces 9, 10 which snap together around the print roll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottom cover piece 10 includes a slot 11 through which the output of the print media 12 for interconnection with the camera system. Two pinch rollers 13, 14 are provided to pinch the paper against a drive pinch roller 15 so they together provide for a decurling of the paper around the roller 15. The decurling acts to negate the strong curl that may be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print roll for an extended period of time. The rollers 13, 14 are provided to form a snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion 10 and the roller 15 which includes a cogged end 16 for driving, snap fits into the upper cover piece 9 so as to pinch the paper 12 firmly between. The cover pieces 9, 10 includes an end protuberance or lip 17. The end lip 17 is provided for accurate alignment of the exit hole of the paper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within the camera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of the exiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for full guidance of the paper to the printhead. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The present invention is best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs. Ink Jet Technologies The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable. The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out. The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles. Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include: low power (less than 10 Watts) high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more) photographic quality output low manufacturing cost small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section) high speed (<2 seconds per page). All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below. The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry. Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding. Cross-Referenced Applications The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case: Docket No. Reference Title IJ01US IJ01 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer IJ02US IJ02 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US IJ03 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US IJ04 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05US IJ05 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer IJ06US IJ06 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US IJ07 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US IJ08 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US IJ09 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer IJ10US IJ10 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US IJ11 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US IJ12 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US IJ13 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer IJ14US IJ14 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ15US IJ15 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer IJ16US IJ16 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ17US IJ17 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ18US IJ18 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ19US IJ19 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US IJ20 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US IJ21 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer IJ22US IJ22 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US IJ23 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US IJ24 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US IJ25 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer IJ26US IJ26 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US IJ27 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US IJ28 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer IJ29US IJ29 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ30US IJ30 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer IJ31US IJ31 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer IJ32US IJ32 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ33US IJ33 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer IJ34US IJ34 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring IJ35US IJ35 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer IJ36US IJ36 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US IJ37 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US IJ38 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US IJ39 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US IJ40 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units IJ41US IJ41 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element IJ42US IJ42 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ43US IJ43 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44US IJ44 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US IJ45 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee. The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types. Actuator mechanism (18 types) Basic operation mode (7 types) Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types) Actuator motion (19 types) Nozzle refill method (4 types) Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types) Nozzle clearing method (9 types) Nozzle plate construction (9 types) Drop ejection direction (5 types) Ink type (7 types) The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above. Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 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 bubble An electrothermal heater heats the ink to Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet 1979 above boiling point, transferring Simple construction Ink carrier limited to water Endo et al GB patent significant heat to the aqueous ink. A No moving parts Low efficiency 2,007,162 bubble nucleates and quickly forms, Fast operation High temperatures required Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 expelling the ink. Small chip area required for High mechanical stress Hawkins et al U.S. Pat. No. The efficiency of the process is low, with actuator Unusual materials required 4,899,181 typically less than 0.05% of the electrical Large drive transistors Hewlett-Packard TIJ 1982 energy being transformed into kinetic Cavitation causes actuator failure Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No. energy of the drop. Kogation reduces bubble formation 4,490,728 Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric crystal such as lead Low power consumption Very large area required for actuator Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is electrically Many ink types can be used Difficult to integrate with electronics Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 activated, and either expands, shears, or Fast operation High voltage drive transistors required 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. bends to apply pressure to the ink, High efficiency Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to 3,747,120 ejecting drops. actuator size Epson Stylus Requires electrical poling in high field Tektronix strengths during manufacture IJ04 Electro-strictive An electric field is used to activate Low power consumption Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%) Seiko Epson, Usui et all JP electrostriction in relaxor materials such Many ink types can be used Large area required for actuator due to low 253401/96 as lead lanthanum zirconate titanate Low thermal expansion strain IJ04 (PLZT) or lead magnesium niobate Electric field strength required Response speed is marginal (�10 μs) (PMN). (approx. 3.5 V/μm) can be High voltage drive transistors required generated without difficulty Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to Does not require electrical poling actuator size Ferroelectric An electric field is used to induce a Low power consumption Difficult to integrate with electronics IJ04 phase transition between the Many ink types can be used Unusual materials such as PLZSnT are antiferroelectric (AFE) and ferroelectric Fast operation (<1 μs) required (FE) phase. Perovskite materials such as Relatively high longitudinal strain Actuators require a large area tin modified lead lanthanum zirconate High efficiency titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of Electric field strength of around 3 V/μm up to 1% associated with the AFE to FE can be readily provided phase transition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated by a Low power consumption Difficult to operate electrostatic devices in an IJ02, IJ04 plates compressible or fluid dielectric (usually Many ink types can be used aqueous environment air). Upon application of a voltage, the Fast operation The electrostatic actuator will normally need plates attract each other and displace ink, to be separated from the ink causing drop ejection. The conductive Very large area required to achieve high plates may be in a comb or honeycomb forces structure, or stacked to increase the High voltage drive transistors may be required surface area and therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strong electric field is applied to the Low current consumption High voltage required 1989 Saito et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 pull on ink ink, whereupon electrostatic attraction Low temperature May be damaged by sparks due to air 1989 Miura et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 accelerates the ink towards the print breakdown medium. Required field strength increases as the drop size decreases Tone-jet High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet directly attracts a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet electromagnetic permanent magnet, displacing ink and Many ink types can be used Permanent magnetic material such as causing drop ejection. Rare earth Fast operation Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) required. magnets with a field strength around 1 High efficiency High local currents required Tesla can be used. Examples are: Easy extension from single Copper metalization should be used for long Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic nozzles to pagewidth print electromigration lifetime and low materials in the neodymium iron boron heads resistivity family (NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, Pigmented inks are usually infeasible NdDyFeB, etc) Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft magnetic A solenoid induced a magnetic field in a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 core electromagnetic soft magnetic core or yoke fabricated Many ink types can be used Materials not usually present in a CMOS fab IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 from a ferrous material such as Fast operation such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or CoFe are electroplated iron alloys such as CoNiFe High efficiency required [1], CoFe, or NiFe alloys. Typically, the Easy extension from single High local currents required soft magnetic material is in two parts, nozzles to pagewidth print Copper metalization should be used for long which are normally held apart by a heads electromigration lifetime and low spring. When the solenoid is actuated, resistivity the two parts attract, displacing the ink. Electroplating is required High saturation flux density is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force acting on a current Low power consumption Force acts as a twisting motion IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz force carrying wire in a magnetic field is Many ink types can be used Typically, only a quarter of the solenoid utilized. Fast operation length provides force in a useful direction This allows the magnetic field to be High efficiency High local currents required supplied externally to the print head, for Easy extension from single Copper metalization should be used for long example with rare earth permanent nozzles to pagewidth print electromigration lifetime and low magnets. heads resistivity Only the current carrying wire need be Pigmented inks are usually infeasible fabricated on the print-head, simplifying materials requirements. Magnetostriction The actuator uses the giant Many ink types can be used Force acts as a twisting motion Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. magnetostrictive effect of materials such Fast operation Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D are 4,032,929 as Terfenol-D (an alloy of terbium, Easy extension from single required IJ25 dysprosium and iron developed at the nozzles to pagewidth print High local currents required Naval Ordnance Laboratory, hence Ter- heads Copper metalization should be used for long Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the High force is available electromigration lifetime and low actuator should be pre-stressed to resistivity approx. 8 MPa. Pre-stressing may be required Surface tension Ink under positive pressure is held in a Low power consumption Requires supplementary force to effect drop Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 reduction nozzle by surface tension. The surface Simple construction separation A2 and related patent tension of the ink is reduced below the No unusual materials required in Requires special ink surfactants applications bubble threshold, causing the ink to fabrication Speed may be limited by surfactant properties egress from the nozzle. High efficiency Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally reduced to Simple construction Requires supplementary force to effect drop Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 reduction select which drops are to be ejected. A No unusual materials required in separation A2 and related patent viscosity reduction can be achieved fabrication Requires special ink viscosity properties applications electrothermally with most inks, but Easy extension from single High speed is difficult to achieve special inks can be engineered for a nozzles to pagewidth print Requires oscillating ink pressure 100:1 viscosity reduction. heads A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is generated and Can operate without a nozzle Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimioglu et al, focussed upon the drop ejection region. plate Complex fabrication EUP 550,192 Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, EUP Poor control of drop position 572,220 Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which relies upon Low power consumption Efficient aqueous operation requires a thermal IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator differential thermal expansion upon Many ink types can be used insulator on the hot side IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 Joule heating is used. Simple planar fabrication Corrosion prevention can be difficult IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 Small chip area required for each Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 actuator particles may jam the bend actuator IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Fast operation IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 High efficiency IJ41 CMOS compatible voltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be used Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very high coefficient of High force can be generated Requires special material (e.g. PTFE) IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermoelastic thermal expansion (CTE) such as PTFE is a candidate for low Requires a PTFE deposition process, which is IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 actuator polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used. dielectric constant insulation in not yet standard in ULSI fabs IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 As high CTE materials are usually non- ULSI PTFE deposition cannot be followed with high IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 conductive, a heater fabricated from a Very low power consumption temperature (above 350� C.) processing conductive material is incorporated. A 50 μm Many ink types can be used Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment long PTFE bend actuator with Simple planar fabrication particles may jam the bend actuator polysilicon heater and 15 mW power Small chip area required for each input can provide 180 μN force and 10 μm actuator deflection. Actuator motions include: Fast operation 1) Bend High efficiency 2) Push CMOS compatible voltages and 3) Buckle currents 4) Rotate Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive A polymer with a high coefficient of High force can be generated Requires special materials development (High IJ24 polymer thermal expansion (such as PTFE) is Very low power consumption CTE conductive polymer) thermoelastic doped with conducting substances to Many ink types can be used Requires a PTFE deposition process, which is actuator increase its conductivity to about 3 Simple planar fabrication not yet standard in ULSI fabs orders of magnitude below that of Small chip area required for each PTFE deposition cannot be followed with high copper. The conducting polymer expands actuator temperature (above 350� C.) processing when resistively heated. Fast operation Evaporation and CVD deposition techniques Examples of conducting dopants include: High efficiency cannot be used 1) Carbon nanotubes CMOS compatible voltages and Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment 2) Metal fibers currents particles may jam the bend actuator 3) Conductive polymers such as doped Easy extension from single polythiophene nozzles to pagewidth print 4) Carbon granules heads Shape memory A shape memory alloy such as TiNi (also High force is available (stresses of Fatigue limits maximum number of cycles IJ26 alloy known as Nitinol - Nickel Titanium alloy hundreds of MPa) Low strain (1%) is required to extend fatigue developed at the Naval Ordnance Large strain is available (more resistance Laboratory) is thermally switched than 3%) Cycle rate limited by heat removal between its weak martensitic state and its High corrosion resistance Requires unusual materials (TiNi) high stiffness austenic state. The shape of Simple construction The latent heat of transformation must be the actuator in its martensitic state is Easy extension from single provided deformed relative to the austenic shape. nozzles to pagewidth print High current operation The shape change causes ejection of a heads Requires pre-stressing to distort the drop. Low voltage operation martensitic state Linear Magnetic Linear magnetic actuators include the Linear Magnetic actuators can be Requires unusual semiconductor materials IJ12 Actuator Linear Induction Actuator (LIA), Linear constructed with high thrust, such as soft magnetic alloys (e.g. CoNiFe Permanent Magnet Synchronous long travel, and high efficiency [1]) Actuator (LPMSA), Linear Reluctance using planar semiconductor Some varieties also require permanent Synchronous Actuator (LRSA), Linear fabrication techniques magnetic materials such as Neodymium Switched Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), Long actuator travel is available iron boron (NdFeB) and the Linear Stepper Actuator (LSA). Medium force is available Requires complex multi-phase drive circuitry Low voltage operation High current operation BASIC OPERATION MODE
ink flow to the nozzle. The ink pressure
is pulsed at a multiple of the drop
that in the quiescent state some of the
ink drop already protrudes from the
hydrophobizing, or both) to prevent
required to eject a certain volume
of ink. The reduction in chamber
pressure results in a reduction
pushes on a flexible flap that restricts
resulting in easier ink egress out of the
In some configurations of ink jet, there
is no expansion or movement of an
actuator which may cause ink back-flow
does not already include an
the nozzle plate to form
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 658 Modern ink dyes have high water- May strikethrough A2 and related patent fastness, light fastness Cockles paper applications Aqueous, Water based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 pigment contains: water, pigment, surfactant, No odor Corrosive IJ27, IJ30 humectant, and biocide. Reduced bleed Pigment may clog Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 Pigments have an advantage in reduced Reduced wicking nozzles A2 and related patent bleed, wicking and strikethrough. Reduced strikethrough Pigment may clog applications actuator mechanisms Piezoelectric ink-jets Cockles paper Thermal ink jets (with significant restrictions) Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly volatile solvent used for Very fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) industrial printing on difficult surfaces Prints on various substrates such Flammable such as aluminum cans. as metals and plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used where Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2- the printer must operate at temperatures Operates at sub-freezing Flammable butanol, and below the freezing point of water. An temperatures others) example of this is in-camera consumer Reduced paper cockle photographic printing. Low cost Phase change The ink is solid at room temperature, and No drying time-ink instantly High viscosity Tektronix hot melt (hot melt) is melted in the print head before jetting. freezes on the print medium Printed ink typically piezoelectric ink jets Hot melt inks are usually wax based, Almost any print medium can be has a �waxy� feel 1989 Nowak U.S. with a melting point around 80� C. After used Printed pages may Pat. No. 4,820,346 jetting the ink freezes almost instantly No paper cockle occurs �block� All IJ series ink jets upon contacting the print medium or a No wicking occurs Ink temperature may be transfer roller. No bleed occurs above the curie No strikethrough occurs point of permanent magnets Ink heaters consume power Long warm-up time Oil Oil based inks are extensively used in High solubility medium for some High viscosity: All IJ series ink jets offset printing. They have advantages in dyes this is a significant improved characteristics on paper Does not cockle paper limitation for use (especially no wicking or cockle). Oil Does not wick through paper in inkjets, which soluble dies and pigments are required. usually require a low viscosity. Some short chain and multi-branched oils have a sufficiently low viscosity. Slow drying Microemulsion A microemulsion is a stable, self forming Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher All IJ series ink jets emulsion of oil, water, and surfactant. High dye solubility than water The characteristic drop size is less than Water, oil, and amphiphilic Cost is slightly higher 100 nm, and is determined by the soluble dies can be used than water based ink preferred curvature of the surfactant. Can stabilize pigment suspensions High surfactant concentration required (around 5%) 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 US Patent/Patent Provisional Application and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO8066 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ01) 6,227,652 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ02) 6,213,588 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ03) 6,213,589 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8071 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ04) 6,231,163 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ05) 6,247,795 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ06) 6,394,581 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ07) 6,244,691 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8063 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ08) 6,257,704 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ09) 6,416,168 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ10) 6,220,694 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ11) 6,257,705 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8049 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ12) 6,247,794 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ13) 6,234,610 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ14) 6,247,793 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ15) 6,264,306 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8067 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ16) 6,241,342 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ17) 6,247,792 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ18) 6,264,307 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ19) 6,254,220 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8002 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ20) 6,234,611 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ21) 6,302,528 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ22) 6,283,582 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ23) 6,239,821 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8039 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ24) 6,338,547 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ25) 6,247,796 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ26) 09/113,122 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8037 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ27) 6,390,603 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8043 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ28) 6,362,843 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ29) 6,293,653 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ30) 6,312,107 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9389 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ31) 6,227,653 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9391 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ32) 6,234,609 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ33) 6,238,040 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ34) 6,188,415 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ35) 6,227,654 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0873 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ36) 6,209,989 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ37) 6,247,791 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ38) 6,336,710 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1398 19-Jan-98 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,217,153 (IJ39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2592 25-Mar-98 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,416,167 (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2593 25-Mar-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ41) 6,243,113 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ42) 6,283,581 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3987 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ43) 6,247,790 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ44) 6,260,953 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ45) 6,267,469 (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 US Patent/Patent Provisional Application and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7935 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,224,780 Apparatus (IJM01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7936 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,212 Apparatus (IJM02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7937 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,280,643 Apparatus (IJM03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8061 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,284,147 Apparatus (IJM04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8054 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,214,244 Apparatus (IJM05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8065 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,071,750 Apparatus (IJM06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8055 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,267,905 Apparatus (IJM07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8053 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,251,298 Apparatus (IJM08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8078 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,285 Apparatus (IJM09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7933 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,225,138 Apparatus (IJM10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7950 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,904 Apparatus (IJM11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7949 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,299,786 Apparatus (IJM12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8060 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 09/113,124 Apparatus (IJM13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8059 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,773 Apparatus (IJM14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8073 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,190,931 Apparatus (IJM15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8076 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,249 Apparatus (IJM16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8075 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,290,862 Apparatus (IJM17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8079 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,906 Apparatus (IJM18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8050 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 09/113,116 Apparatus (IJM19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8052 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,905 Apparatus (IJM20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7948 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,451,216 Apparatus (IJM21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7951 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,772 Apparatus (IJM22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8074 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,274,056 Apparatus (IJM23) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7941 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,290,861 Apparatus (IJM24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8077 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,248 Apparatus (IJM25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8058 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,306,671 Apparatus (IJM26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8051 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,331,258 Apparatus (IJM27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8045 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,110,754 Apparatus (IJM28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7952 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,294,101 Apparatus (IJM29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8046 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,416,679 Apparatus (IJM30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8503 11-Aug-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,264,849 Apparatus (IJM30a) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9390 23-Sep-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,254,793 Apparatus (IJM31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9392 23-Sep-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211 Apparatus (IJM32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0889 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211 Apparatus (IJM35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,264,850 Apparatus (IJM36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0882 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0874 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1396 19-Jan-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,228,668 Apparatus (IJM39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2591 25-Mar-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,180,427 Apparatus (IJM41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3989 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,171,875 Apparatus (IJM40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3990 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,267,904 Apparatus (IJM42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3986 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3984 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3982 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,148 Apparatus (IJM45) (Jul. 10, 1998) Fluid Supply Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. Australian US Patent/ Provisional Patent Application Number Filing Date Title and Filing Date PO8003 15-Jul-97 Supply Method 6,350,023 and Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15-Jul-97 Supply Method 6,318,849 and Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23-Sep-97 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 US Patent/ Provisional Patent Application Number Filing Date Title and Filing Date PO7943 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS01) PO8006 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23-Sep-97 A Device and 09/113,065 Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12-Dec-97 A Device (MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12-Dec-97 A Device and 09/113,075 Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998) IR Technologies Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. Australian Provisional US Patent/Patent Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PP0895 12-Dec-97 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,231,148 (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0870 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR02) 09/113,106 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR04) 6,293,658 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 09/113,104 (IR05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0885 12-Dec-97 An Image Production System (IR06) 6,238,033 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0884 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,312,070 (IR10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0886 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,238,111 (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0871 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR13) 09/113,086 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12-Dec-97 An Image Processing Method and 09/113,094 Apparatus (IR14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0877 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR16) 6,378,970 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR17) 6,196,739 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR18) 09/112,774 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR19) 6,270,182 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR20) 6,152,619 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method (IR21) 09/113,092 (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 US Patent/ Provisional Patent Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PP2370 16-Mar-98 Data Processing 09/112,781 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16-Mar-98 Data Processing 09/113,052 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot02) Artcam Technologies Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience. Australian Provisional US Patent/Patent Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO7991 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,060 (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7988 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,476,863 (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7993 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,073 (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,322,181 (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,747 (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,750 (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8032 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,746 (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,743 (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,742 (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8031 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,741 (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7979 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8015 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7978 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7982 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,431,669 (ART19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7989 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,362,869 (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15-Jul-97 Media Processing Method and Apparatus 6,472,052 (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7980 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,356,715 (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8018 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,777 (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,224 (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,366,693 (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,329,990 (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7940 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,072 (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,785 (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,137,500 (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,796 (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7987 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,071 (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,398,328 (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,090 (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8020 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,431,704 (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,222 (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,786 (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8000 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,415,054 (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,782 (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,056 (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,059 (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,486,886 (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,381,361 (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7981 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,317,192 (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,057 (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,054 (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,752 (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,759 (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,757 (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9394 23-Sep-97 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,357,135 (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,107 (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,271,931 (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,353,772 (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,106,147 (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,790 (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,304,291 (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,788 (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,305,770 (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9405 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,289,262 (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16-Dec-97 A Data Processing Method and 6,315,200 Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19-Jan-98 A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998) Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7357497 *Oct 2, 2006Apr 15, 2008Silverbrook Research Pty LtdPrint roll core with internal ink storageUS7588329Jan 24, 2008Sep 15, 2009Silverbrook Research Pty LtdPrint roll unit provided with pinch rollers and a drive roller* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification347/101International ClassificationB41J11/70, B41J2/175, B41J15/04, B41J3/44, B41J11/00, G11C11/56, B41J2/16, G06F1/16, H04N1/32, G06F21/00, G07F7/12, B41J2/165, H04N5/225, H04N5/262, G06K1/12, B42D15/10, G06K7/14, G07F7/08, B41J3/42, G06K19/06, H04N1/00, H04N1/21, B41J2/14, B41J2/01Cooperative ClassificationG06K7/14, B41J2/17553, B41J2202/21, B41J15/02, H04N1/0044, H04N5/2628, B42D2035/34, H04N1/2112, B41J2/17513, G07F7/08, G06F2221/2129, H04N1/2154, B41J11/0005, B41J15/044, G06K19/06037, G06F21/79, B41J11/70, B41J2/16585, H04N2101/00, G06F21/86, B41J3/445, G07F7/12, H04N5/225, G06K1/121, G07F7/086, B41J2/17596, B41J15/04, G11C11/56, G06K7/1417European ClassificationB41J2/175C2, G06K7/14, G07F7/08B, H04N5/262T, G06K1/12B, B41J15/04, G06K19/06C3, G11C11/56, B41J11/70, G07F7/08, H04N5/225, B41J11/00A, B41J3/44B, H04N1/21B3, H04N1/00D3D4, G07F7/12, G06K7/14A2C, G06F21/79, G06F21/86, H04N1/21B3H, B41J15/02, B41J15/04C, B41J2/175C8Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 25, 2014ASAssignmentFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ZAMTEC LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:033244/0276Effective date: 20140609Owner name: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, IRELANDJul 23, 2012SULPSurcharge for late paymentJul 23, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jul 17, 2012ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. 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