A system and method of interacting with content disposed on a substrate is provided. An image of the content disposed on the substrate is captured and used to identify the substrate via an image-matching technique. Digital content corresponding to the identified 5 substrate is retrieved and displayed on a screen of a viewing device. The displayed digital content is a virtual reality and/or augmented reality view, referred to herein as a 'digital twin', of the imaged content. The digital twin has at least one interactive element for user interaction. 10
A method of identifying a physical page containing printed text from a plurality of page fragment images captured by a camera. The method includes the steps of: placing a handheld electronic device in contact with a surface of the physical page; moving the device across the physical page and capturing the plurality of page fragment images at a plurality of different capture points; measuring a displacement or direction of movement; performing OCR on each captured page fragment image; creating a glyph group key for each page fragment image; looking up each created glyph group key in an inverted index of glyph group keys; comparing a displacement or direction between glyph group keys in the inverted index with a measured displacement or direction between the capture points for corresponding glyph group keys created using OCR; and identifying a page identity corresponding to the physical page using the comparison.
A mobile phone assembly for magnifying a portion of a surface [figs 14, 15], the assembly includes: a mobile phone having a display screen and a camera with an image sensor [fig 10]; and an optical assembly including; a first mirror [fig 19A: item 130] offset from the image sensor [fig 19A: item 82] for deflecting an optical path substantially parallel with the surface; a second mirror [fig 19A: item 132] aligned with the camera for deflecting the optical path perpendicular to the surface onto the image sensor; and a microscope lens [fig 19A: item 103] positioned in the optical path; the optical assembly has a thickness of less than 8mm and is configured such that the surface is in focus when the mobile phone assembly lies flat against the surface [fig 20].
A hybrid system for identifying a printed page. The system includes: (i) the printed page having human-readable content and a coding pattern printed in every interstitial space between portions of human-readable content, the coding pattern being either absent from the human-readable content or unreadable when superimposed with the human-readable content; and (ii) a handheld device for overlaying and contacting the printed page. The handheld device includes: a camera for capturing page fragment images; and a processor configured for: decoding the coding pattern and determining the page identity in the event that the coding pattern is visible in and decodable from the captured page fragment image; and otherwise initiating OCR or SIFT techniques to identify the page.
A method of displaying an image of a physical page relative to which a handheld display device is positioned. The method includes the steps of: capturing an image of the physical page using an image sensor of the device; determining a page identity for the physical page; retrieving a page description corresponding to the page identity; rendering a page image based on the retrieved page description; estimating a first pose of the device relative to the physical page; estimating a second pose of the device relative to a user's viewpoint; determining a projected page image for display by the device; and displaying said projected page image on a display screen of said device. The display screen provides a virtual transparent viewport onto the physical page irrespective of a position and orientation of the device relative to the physical page.
G06K 17/00 - Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups , e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
G06K 9/22 - Image acquisition using hand-held instruments
6.
PATTERN COMPRISING MULTI-PPM DATA SYMBOLS IN A FORMAT IDENTIFIED BY REGISTRATION SYMBOLS
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed thereon or therein. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of macrodots encoding data symbols and registration symbols. Each data symbol is represented by d macrodots, each of the d macrodots occupying a respective position from a plurality of predetermined possible positions p. The respective positions of the d macrodots represent one of a plurality of possible symbol values. Each registration symbol, or a set of the registration symbols, identifies an integer value of d, with the condition that p > d.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
7.
CODING PATTERN COMPRISING REGISTRATION CODEWORD HAVING VARIANTS CORRESPONDING TO POSSIBLE REGISTRATIONS
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed thereon or therein. The coding pattern comprises a tiling of contiguous grid cells, each grid cell being demarcated by t target elements and having t-fold rotational symmetry, each grid cell containing nt registration symbols, each registration symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots; and a tiling of contiguous tags, each tag consisting of an array of c grid cells, each tag containing a plurality of data symbols. There are ct possible registrations between a physical layout of the coding pattern and a logical layout of the coding pattern and any contiguous tag-shaped array of c grid cells contains cnt registration symbols. The registration symbols, taken in a defined sequence relative to the physical layout of the tag-shaped array, form a registration codeword of length r. There are v distinct registration codewords, each corresponding to a distinct one of the ct possible registrations.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed therein or thereon. The coding pattern comprises: a tiling of contiguous grid cells, each grid cell being demarcated by t target elements and having t-fold rotational symmetry, each grid cell containing nt control symbols, each control symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots; and a tiling of contiguous tags, each tag consisting of an array of c grid cells, each tag containing a plurality of data symbols, each data symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots. Any contiguous tag-shaped array of c grid cells contains cnt control symbols, which encode r1 registration symbols and r2 second symbols. The r1 registration symbols, taken in a defined sequence relative to a physical layout of the tag-shaped array, form a registration codeword of length r1. The r2 second symbols form one or more second codewords.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
9.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE WITH LIMITED ENCRYPTION KEY RETRIEVAL
A method, system and device for encrypted communication with external entities, then device being configured to frustrate side channel attacks attempting to determine an encryption key. The device has a first memory, an encryption key stored in the first memory and a one-way function for application to the encryption key. During use, the encryption key is retrieved from the first memory prior to application to the one-way function and the device is configured to limit the number of times the encryption key is allowed to be retrieved from the non-volatile memory to a pre-determined threshold.
H04L 9/16 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols using a plurality of keys or algorithms the keys or algorithms being changed during operation
A solvent-based ink composition for a thermal inkjet printhead comprises a surface- modified pigment. The ink composition comprises: (a) 10 - 80 wt. % of a compound of formula (A); wherein: R 1 is C 1-6 alkyl; and each of R 2, R 3 and R 4 is independently selected from H, C 1-6 alkyl, halogen, OH, and C 1-6 alkoxy; (b) 10 - 80 wt. % of a C 1-6 alcohol; and 10 (c) 0.01 - 25 wt. % of the surface-modified pigment.
A solvent-based ink composition for a thermal inkjet printhead. The ink composition comprises: (a) 20 - 80 wt. % of a compound of formula (A); wherein: R1 is C1-6 alkyl; and each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from H, C1-6 alkyl, halogen, OH, and C1-6 alkoxy; (b) 10 - 70 wt. % of a C1-6 alcohol; and 10 (c) 0.01 - 25 wt. % of a colorant.
A method of photoresist removal with concomitant de-veiling is provided. The method employs a plasma formed from a gas chemistry comprising O2, NH3 and a fluorine-containing gas, such as CF4. The method is particularly suitable for use in MEMS fabrication processes, such as inkjet printhead fabrication.
A thermal bend actuator comprises an active beam for connection to drive circuitry and a passive beam mechanically cooperating with the active beam. When a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The passive beam comprises a first layer comprised of silicon nitride and a second layer comprised of silicon dioxide. The second layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the active beam to provide thermal insulation for the first layer.
A continuous web printer that has an inlet for receiving a web of media from a media web roll unwinder, an outlet for delivery to a media web roll winder, a media feed path extending from the inlet to the outlet and pagewidth inkjet printhead assemblies positioned adjacent the media feed path for printing on both sides of the web. The media feed path extends less than 10 meters from a point where during use, the web is blank, to a point where both sides of the web are printed.
An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an ink supply manifold: printhead integrated circuits and a connector film for supplying power to drive circuits in the printhead integrated circuits. Each prithead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising the drive e circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside attached to the ink supply manifold, and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. A connection end of the connector film is sandwiched between part of the ink supply manifold and the printhead integrated circuits.
A printing system that has a printhead assembly, a drive roller for feeding media along a media path and a vacuum platen assembly configured for movement relative to the fixed printhead assembly.
A printhead having an ink ejection face coated with a hydrophobic polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polysilsesquioxane, such as poly(methylsilsesquioxane) or poly(phenylsilsesquioxane). The printhead is compatible with various printhead maintenance operations requiring contact with the ink ejection face.
A printhead assembly includes a molded ink manifold, a plurality of printhead integrated circuits, and an adhesive film sandwiched between the ink manifold and the printhead integrated circuits. A manifold bonding surface of the molded ink manifold includes a polymer coating. The polymer coating plugs fissures resulting from a molding process used to mold the ink manifold.
B41J 2/065 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by electric or magnetic field involving the preliminary making of ink protuberances
An ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths has openings arranged for detachable connection with conduits in an interface. Shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, are biased open. An actuator biased to a closed position by a resilient element, where it holds all the shut off valves closed. The actuator engages the interface such that moving the interface into connection with the openings simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position where the shut off valves are able to open. The resilient element generates a bias greater than a combined bias exerted by the shut off valves on the actuator.
A digital micro-mirror device comprising an array of micro-mirror assemblies positioned on a substrate. Each micro-mirror assembly comprises: a mirror spaced apart from the substrate; a stem supporting the mirror; and first and second electrodes positioned on either side of the stem. The stem is comprised of a resiliently flexible material, such that the mirror can tilt either towards the first electrode or towards the second electrode by an electrostatic force. The digital micro-mirror device may be used in data projectors and the like.
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber with a roof having a nozzle opening defined therein. The roof includes a moving portion moveable relative to a stationary portion, such that movement of the moving portion relative to the stationary portion causes ejection of ink through the nozzle opening. The nozzle assembly also includes an actuator for moving the moving portion and a seal member. The seal member is configured as a bridge spanning between the moving portion and the stationary portion.
An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an array of ejection devices for ejecting drops of liquid onto a media substrate. Each of the ejection devices having a chamber for holding liquid, a nozzle in fluid communication with the chamber and a heater positioned in the chamber for contact with the liquid such that resistive heating of the heater generates a vapour bubble that ejects a drop of the liquid through the nozzle. The printer also has a controller for receiving print data and generating drive pulses to energize the heaters in accordance with the print data. The controller increases the drive pulse energy during the printhead lifetime.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
An inkjet printhead with a resistive heaters for vaporizing ink to eject drops through respective nozzles. The heater is formed from a TiAlX alloy where Ti contributes more than 40 % by weight, Al contributes more than 40 % by weight and X contributes less than 5 % by weight and comprises zero or more of Ag, Cr, Mo, Nb, Si, Ta and W.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
B81B 7/02 - Microstructural systems containing distinct electrical or optical devices of particular relevance for their function, e.g. microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
24.
POSITION-CODING PATTERN HAVING TAG COORDINATES ENCODED BY BIT-SHIFTED SUBSEQUENCES OF CYCLIC POSITION CODE
A substrate having a position-coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The position-coding pattern comprises a plurality of tags. Each tag encodes a w-bit subsequence of a cyclic code sequence. The w-bit subsequence maps to a corresponding coordinate codeword for the tag. Adjacent tags contain a w-bit subsequence shifted by one bit relative to each other in the cyclic code sequence.
A substrate having a first coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The first coding pattern comprises: a plurality of target elements defining a target grid, the target grid comprising a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements; a plurality of data elements contained in each cell; and a plurality of tags. Each tag is defined by a first set of contiguous cells. Each tag comprises respective tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more registration symbols encoded by a respective set of said data elements. Each of the registration symbols identifies the cell as being contained in the first set, and thereby contained in the first coding pattern.
A method is described for positioning an image sensor at a point of best focus for a lens. The lens has an optical axis and the image sensor is moved to a plurality of positions along the optical axis. The image sensor captures an image of a target image at each of the plurality of positions through the lens. A measure of blur in the image captured is derived at each of the plurality of positions from pixel data output from the image sensor. A relationship is derived between blur and position of the image sensor along the optical axis. The image sensor is then moved to a position on the optical axis that the relationship indicates as the point of best focus where the image sensor is fixedly secured relative to the lens.
An inkjet nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the chamber having a nozzle opening and an ink inlet; a pair of electrical contacts positioned at one end of the assembly and connected to drive circuitry; and a thermal bend actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening, the actuator comprising an active beam connected to the electrical contacts and extending longitudinally away from the contacts, the active beam defining a bent current flow path between the contacts; and a passive beam fused to the active beam, such that when a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam heats and expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator, wherein the actuator has a working face for generating a positive pressure pulse in the ink during the bending of the actuator, the working face having an area of less than 800 square microns.
A method of reducing voids within a bead of encapsulant material deposited on a series of wire bonds connecting a micro-electronic device with die contact pads extending along one edge, and a plurality of conductors on a support structure such that the wire bonds extend across a gap defined between the edge of the micro-electronic device and the plurality of conductors. The method has the steps of depositing at least one transverse bead of encapsulant in the gap extending at an angle to the edge of the micro-electronic device, and, depositing at least one longitudinal bead of encapsulant in the gap extending parallel to the edge of the micro-electronic device.
H01L 23/49 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements consisting of soldered or bonded constructions wire-like
The present invention relates to a bonding device for bonding a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a printhead carrier and an ink ejection printhead carried by the carrier. The bonding device includes a support structure assembly and a first heater assembly arranged on the support structure assembly to be movable along a first path and configured to bond the flexible PCB to the printhead. A bending mechanism is arranged on the support structure and is configured to bend the bonded PCB. A second heater assembly is arranged on the support structure assembly to be movable along a second path and is configured to bond the bent PCB to the printhead carrier. A control system controls operation of the heater assemblies and the bending mechanism.
The invention relates to an assembler for assembling printhead integrated circuitry on a carrier. The assembler includes a support assembly, a wafer positioning assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to retain and position a wafer defining a plurality of die to be picked from the wafer; and a die picking assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to pick a pre-selected dice from the wafer. The assembler also includes a die placement assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to receive the preselected dice and to place the dice on the carrier, and a die conveyance mechanism arranged on the support assembly and configured to convey the dice from the die picking assembly to the die placement assembly. Further included is a control system operatively engaged with the wafer positioning, die picking, die placement and die conveyance assemblies to control operation thereof.
The invention relates to a measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing assembly that defines an enclosure, a control system mounted in the housing assembly, and an operator interface mounted on the housing assembly and connected to the control system to allow an operator to control the measuring apparatus. The apparatus also includes a measuring table assembly mounted in the housing assembly and configured to receive a nest assembly supporting an integrated circuit carrier carrying a number of integrated circuits, and a camera assembly mounted in the housing assembly and configured to generate image data representing the integrated circuit carrier and the integrated circuits. The camera assembly is connected to the control system which is configured to carry out a positional analysis on the integrated circuit carrier and the integrated circuits to determine at least one of positions of the integrated circuits on the carrier and relative positions of consecutive integrated circuits.
A testing apparatus for testing integrated circuits mounted in a carrier includes a support assembly. A controller is mounted in the support assembly. The controller is programmed to process test signals from the integrated circuits. A retaining assembly is arranged on the support assembly and is configured to receive and retain the carrier during testing. A displacement mechanism is arranged on the support assembly for displacing the retaining assembly relative to the support assembly into and out of an operative condition. Testing circuitry is operatively connected to the controller and has at least test signal generation and measurement circuitry and adaptor circuitry for operative engagement with the integrated circuits being tested, the adaptor circuitry being configured to provide both a physical and an electrical interface with the integrated circuits.
Provided is a leak tester for a carrier for printhead integrated circuits. The carrier has at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid outlets via discrete fluid paths. The tester includes a support assembly that includes at least one receptacle shaped and configured to receive at least one respective carrier, and a pressurized fluid supply arranged on the support assembly and configured to supply pressurized fluid to the fluid inlets, the pressurized fluid supply incorporating a sealing mechanism configured to engage the fluid inlets in a sealing manner. The tester also includes a pressure measurement arrangement operatively arranged with respect to the pressurized fluid supply to measure pressure applied at the fluid inlets, and a controller operatively connected to the pressure measurement arrangement and pressurized fluid supply, the controller being configured to control the fluid supply to charge the carrier with pressurized fluid until a predetermined pressure is reached, and to monitor the pressure for a predetermined period of time.
G01M 3/26 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
G01M 3/02 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
G01M 3/32 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
34.
LAMINATING APPARATUS FOR A PRINTHEAD CARRIER SUB-ASSEMBLY
The invention relates to a laminating apparatus for laminating a printhead integrated circuit (IC) carrier sub-assembly and a lamination film. The apparatus includes a lamination support for receiving the carrier, a lamina supply for supplying a lamina defining said lamination film, and an alignment mechanism configured to align the lamination film with the IC carrier sub- assembly. Also included is a bonding apparatus configured to bond the lamination film to the IC carrier sub-assembly, and a control system to control operation of the lamina supply, alignment mechanism and bonding apparatus to facilitate automatic bonding of the lamination film to the surface of the carrier.
A salt of a sulfonated dye comprising an ammonium cation as a counterion. The ammonium cation comprises at least 3 hydroxyl groups. The salt is useful in reducing kogation in thermal inkjet printheads. One example of these salts is the compound of formula (II): wherein M is Ga(OH); and each of Z1+, Z2+, Z3+ and Z4+ is protonated 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)- 2,2',2' '-nitrilotriethanol.
C09B 69/04 - Dyestuff salts, e.g. salts of acid dyes with basic dyes of anionic dyes with nitrogen containing compounds
C07C 215/40 - Compounds containing amino and hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton with quaternised nitrogen atoms bound to carbon atoms of the carbon skeleton
An electronic pen having a retractable nib for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a slidably movable cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge, an actuator coupled to the retraction mechanism, a force sensor providing a reaction to an axial force transmitted from the cartridge, and a processor configured for generating force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel for receiving the cartridge, which is adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, whereby the axial force from the cartridge is transmitted to the barrel in the extended position. A biasing mechanism biases the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions.
A microfluidic system comprising an integrated circuit having a bonding surface bonded to a polymeric microfluidics platform. The microfluidic system comprises one or more microfluidics devices controlled by control circuitry in the integrated circuit. At least one of the microfluidic devices comprises a MEMS actuator positioned in a MEMS layer of the integrated circuit. The MEMS layer is covered with a polymeric layer which defines the bonding surface of the integrated circuit.
B81B 7/02 - Microstructural systems containing distinct electrical or optical devices of particular relevance for their function, e.g. microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
G01N 27/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
38.
THERMAL BEND ACTUATOR COMPRISING BENT ACTIVE BEAM HAVING RESISTIVE HEATING BARS
A thermal bend actuator comprising: (a) a pair of electrical contacts positioned at one end of the actuator; (b) an active beam connected to the electrical contacts and extending longitudinally away from the contacts, the active beam defining a bent current flow path between the contacts; and (c) a passive beam fused to the active beam. When a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam heats and expands relative to the passive beam, resulting in bending of the actuator. The active beam comprises a resistive heating bar having a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than any other part of the current flow path. Heating of the active beam is concentrated in the heating bar.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
The invention provides for a pagewidth printhead unit for a printer. The unit includes two integrated circuits laid end-to-end, each having micro-electromechanical nozzles for ejecting printing fluid. The unit also includes an ink distribution plate for feeding printing fluid into apertures defined in the integrated circuits, and an ink distribution molding defining a plurality of elongate conduits for distributing printing fluid to the plate along a length of the printhead. The unit further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to relay data signals from a printer controller to respective ends of the integrated circuits, as well as a support member for holding the integrated circuits, plate, molding and PCB in alignment.
A method of attaching one or more printhead integrated circuits to an ink supply manifold. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a laminated film having a plurality of ink supply holes defined therein, the laminated film comprising a central polymeric film sandwiched between first and second adhesive layers, wherein a first melt temperature of the first adhesive layer is at least 20°C less than a second melt temperature of the second adhesive layer; (b) aligning the film with the ink supply manifold such that each ink supply hole is aligned with a respective ink outlet defined in a manifold bonding surface of the ink supply manifold; (b) bonding the first adhesive layer to the manifold bonding surface by applying heat and pressure to an opposite side of the film; (c) aligning the printhead integrated circuits with the film such that each ink supply hole is aligned with an ink inlet defined in a printhead bonding surface of each printhead integrated circuit; and (d) bonding the printhead integrated circuits to the second adhesive layer.
A method of fabricating an apertured polymeric film. The method comprising the steps of: (a) masking a polymeric film with a first mask having first laser transmission zones defined therein; (b) laser-ablatmg first apertures through the polymeric film using the first mask; (c) masking the film with a second mask having second laser transmission zones defined therein, each second zone being aligned with a corresponding first aperture, and each second zone having greater perimeter dimensions than the corresponding first aperture; and (d) reaming the first apertures by laser-ablatmg the polymeric film using the second mask, the reamed first apertures defining second apertures m the film.
A method of fabricating a film for attachment of one or more printhead integrated circuits to an ink supply manifold. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an adhesive polymeric film, the film being comprised of one or more photopatternable materials; (b) exposing predetermined regions of the film through a mask; and (c) developing the film to define a plurality of ink supply holes.
An inkjet printer with a printhead and a conduit connected to the printhead. The conduit defines a flow path for the printing fluid and has an internal cross section configured such that the surface tension of printing fluid within it favors gas bubble growth along the conduit length over radial bubble growth that would fully occlude the flow path.
An electronic device that has an integrated circuit die with a plurality of contacts pads, a printed circuit board with a plurality of conductors corresponding to each of the contact pads respectively, wire bonds electrically connecting each of the contact pads to the corresponding conductors and, an adhesive surface positioned between the contacts pads and the corresponding conductors. The wire bonds are secured to the adhesive surface to hold them in a low profile configuration.
H01R 43/02 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for soldered or welded connections
B23K 31/02 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups relating to soldering or welding
H01L 23/49 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements consisting of soldered or bonded constructions wire-like
45.
METHOD OF ADHERING WIRE BOND LOOPS TO REDUCE LOOP HEIGHT
A method of reducing wire bond loop heights in wire bonds electrically connecting an integrated circuit die (4) with a contact pad (10) to a printed circuit board with a conductor (12), by mounting the integrated circuit die (4) such that the contact pad (10) is spaced from the conductor (12), positioning an adhesive surface (62) between the contact pad (10) and the conductor (12) on the printed circuit board, attaching wire (16) to one of the contact pad (10) and the conductor (12), drawing the wire (16) towards the other of the contact pad (10) and the conductor (1-2), allowing the wire (16) to contact the adhesive surface (62), and attaching the wire (16) to other of the contact pad (10) and the conductor (12) to form a wire bond adhered to the adhesive face.
H01R 43/02 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for soldered or welded connections
B23K 31/02 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups relating to soldering or welding
H01L 23/49 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements consisting of soldered or bonded constructions wire-like
46.
PRINTER HAVING RECYCLING INK AND PRESSURE-EQUALIZED UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM INK LINES
A printer comprising a printhead and a pressure-regulating chamber containing ink at a predetermined first level relative to the printhead. The chamber comprises an outlet port, a return port positioned in a base of the chamber, a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink, and an air vent open to atmosphere. An upstream ink line interconnects the outlet port and an ink inlet of the printhead. A downstream ink line interconnects the return port and an ink outlet of the printhead. The downstream ink line has a section looping below the first level of ink. In a printing configuration, a second level of ink in the snorkel is equal to the first level of ink in the chamber.
A printer comprising: an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, an ink outlet and an array of nozzles; an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet via an upstream ink conduit; an air pump having a pump outlet communicating with a headspace in the ink chamber, the pump being configured to positively pressurize the headspace during a printhead priming operation; and a downstream ink conduit connected to the ink outlet, the downstream ink conduit communicating with a pump inlet of the pump, wherein the downstream ink conduit includes an expansion chamber for accommodating a volume of ink, thereby inhibiting the ink from reaching the pump inlet.
A sheet feed assembly for feeding sheets of material having a known bending stiffness through a device with low friction. The sheet feeding assembly has feed path structures for defining a feed path, the feed path having a first point with a first radius of curvature, a second point with a second radius of curvature and a transition section extending between the first point and the second point. The transition section defines conforms to a shape adopted by one of the sheets of material extending from the first point where it has a curvature of the first radius, to the second point where it has a curvature of the second radius.
Use of a salt of a sulfonated dye for modulating a stability of the dye, particularly its ozonefastness. The salt comprises at least one organic cation selected from the group consisting of: a first organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least one other heteroatom; a second organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least two other atoms; or a third organic cation of formula (A) wherein: Rp, Rq and Rr are each independently selected from a C1-6 alkyl group; s is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and Ar is a C6-12 aryl group or C3-12 heteroaryl group.
C07D 487/22 - Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system, not provided for by groups in which the condensed system contains four or more hetero rings
A printhead that has at least one printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for supporting the printhead IC. The support structure has an ink conduit for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The conduit has a set of resonant frequencies at which ink in the conduit generates a standing wave in response to certain operating modes of the array of nozzle. A fluidic damper is incorporated into printhead, the damper having a selected resonant frequency that damps the standing waves associated with each of the set of resonant frequencies such that they have an amplitude less than a maximum threshold.
A fluid coupling for an inkjet printhead, that has an interface plate supporting a plurality of spouts positioned for sealed engagement with corresponding apertures in a complementary socket in order to establish fluid communication between an inkjet printhead and an ink supply. The interface plate has surface formations individually associated with each of the spouts respectively. The surface formations define a preferred flow path along the interface plate for any residual ink draining away from the spouts under gravity. The preferred flow paths are configured to avoid any of the other spouts.
A printhead assembly with an elongate printhead IC having a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles, and a support structure for supporting the elongate printhead IC on an external surface such that its length is transverse to a media feed direction through the printer. The external surface has a section that is flush with a long side edge of the elongate printhead IC.
A fluid coupling for establishing a sealed connection between a first conduit and a second conduit that has a seal seat and a compression member. The compression member is movable relative to the seal seat in which an annular seal is positioned. An engagement mechanism moves the second conduit from a disengaged position where there is no sealed fluid connection between the first and second conduits, to an engaged position where the compression member moves toward the seal seat to compress the annular seal to form a sealed fluid connection.
A printhead cartridge for an inkjet printer that has a ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead cartridge and waste ink outlet for receiving ink from the printhead cartridge. The printhead cartridge has a cartridge body configured the user insertion and removal from the inkjet printer, a pagewidth printhead and the cartridge body, wherein the pagewidth printhead defines an array of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a media substrate. The cartridge also has a first fluid coupling for fluid communication between the pagewidth printhead and the ink reservoir and a second fluid coupling for fluid communication between the pagewidth printhead and the waste ink outlet. During use, the first and second fluid couplings establish fluid communication with the ink tank and the waste ink outlet respectively, upon insertion of the cartridge body in the inkjet printer.
An inkjet printer comprising: a printhead comprising a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle openings defined therein, said nozzle plate comprising a first relatively hydrophilic layer and a second relatively hydrophobic layer, said second layer defining an ink ejection face for said printhead; and a capper having a planar capping surface, said capper being moveable between a first position in which said capper is disengaged from said printhead and a second position in which said capping surface sealingly engages with said ink ejection face wherein, in said second position, a meniscus of ink contained in each nozzle opening is pinned at an interface between said first and second layers, such that a microwell is defined between said capping surface and said meniscus.
B05D 3/00 - Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
56.
PRINTHEAD WITH REDUNDANT NOZZLE CHAMBER INLETS FOR MINIMIZING EFFECTS OF BLOCKAGES
A printhead comprising a plurality of inkjet nozzle assemblies is provided. Each nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle chamber formed on a substrate. The nozzle chamber comprises a roof spaced apart from the substrate and sidewalls extending between the roof and the substrate. The nozzle chamber has an ink ejection opening defined in the roof, a first ink inlet defined in one of the sidewalls, and a second ink inlet defined in a floor of the nozzle chamber. Each ink inlet is in fluid communication with a common ink reservoir. The nozzle assembly further comprises an actuator for ejection of ink through the ink ejection opening.
An inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies; a nozzle plate covering the plurality of nozzle assemblies; an ink supply system for supplying ink to the plurality of nozzle assemblies, the ink supply system comprising at least one conduit wall defined by part of the nozzle plate; and at least one pressure-dampening structure positioned in the part of the nozzle plate. The pressure-dampening structures dampen ink pressure fluctuations in the ink supply system.
A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially- fabricated printhead having a first nozzle plate comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities; (b) filling the cavities with a filler, such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface; and (c) depositing a second material onto the planar surface to form a second nozzle plate having a planar exterior surface.
An inkjet printer that has a printhead (6) for printing onto a media substrate, and a reservoir, either a waste collection (28) or ink cartridges (8) containing a quantity of ink, the reservoir having a lower portion (14) for holding ink and an upper portion (32) defining a headspace of air above the ink. A fluid connection (20,16,24) extends between the printhead and reservoir whether it be waste tank or cartridge. A pump (30) draws air form the headspace to lower its air pressure and thereby controls the hydrostatic pressure of the ink at the printhead. Air vent (40) vents to atmosphere.
An inkjet printer that has a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, a reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, a pump for drawing ink from the reservoir and pumping ink into the printhead and, a valve arrangement for selectively opening fluid communication between the pump and the printhead, and closing fluid communication between the pump and the printhead while opening fluid communication between the reservoir and the printhead.
There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber, the second end defining a bubble outlet; and a wetting system for maintaining at least some liquid in the regulator channel, thereby ensuring that air entering the headspace first passes through the liquid. The wetting system comprises a first wetting chamber connected to the first end, a second wetting chamber connected to the second end, and a liquid-retaining structure positioned in the second wetting chamber. The regulator channel, the first wetting chamber, the second wetting chamber and the liquid-retaining structure are all in fluid communication with each other. The regulator channel is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn from the bubble outlet as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.
A method of etching a metal by a reactive ion etching process is provided. The etchant gas chemistry for the reactive ion etching process consists essentially of NH3. The process is particularly suitable for etching superalloys, which etch only slowly using conventional metal etching techniques.
A method of profiling a series of wire bonds between a line of contact pads on a die, and a corresponding set of conductors on a supporting structure, by electrically connecting each of the contact pads on the die to a corresponding conductor on the supporting structure with a respective wire bond, each of the wire bonds extending in an arc from the contact pad to the conductor, and, pushing on each of the wire bonds individually to collapse the arc and plastically deform the wire bond such that the plastic deformation maintains the wire bond in a flatter profile shape.
A method for profiling a bead of encapsulant extending along an edge of a die mounted to a supporting structure, by depositing a bead of encapsulant onto wire bonds along the edge of the die, positioning a profiling surface over the die at a predetermined spacing from the die, moving the profiling surface across the bead before the bead of encapsulant has cured to reshape the bead profile and, curing the bead of encapsulant. The invention has found that the encapsulant can be effectively shaped by a profiling surface without stripping the encapsulant from the wire bonds. The normally convex-shaped upper surface of the encapsulant bead can be pushed to one side of the bead with the profiling surface. With a lower encapsulant bead, the active surface can be brought into closer proximity with another surface without making contact. For example, the nozzle array on a printhead IC can be 300 microns to 400 microns from the paper path. By collapsing or flattening the wire bond arcs before applying and profiling a bead of encapsulant, the nozzle array on the printhead IC can be less than 100 microns from the paper path.
A method of photoresist removal is provided. The method employs a plasma formed from a gas chemistry comprising NH3. The method is particularly suitable for use in MEMS fabrication processes, such as inkjet printhead fabrication.
A printer driver for printing a document at a printer. The printer driver is configured to: (i) receive a visual description for the document from a first memory, the visual description describing a graphic impression for printing; (ii) send print data corresponding to the graphic impression to the printer; and (iii) archive the visual description for a page of the document in a second memory.
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of data elements, which encode data values by multi-pulse position modulation.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more translation symbols encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The translation symbols identify a translation of the cell relative to a tag containing the cell.
A method of preparing a naphthalocyanine is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride; (ii) converting said tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride to a benzisoindolenine; and (iii) macrocyclizing said benzisoindolenine to form a naphthalocyanine.
An inkjet printhead that has an array of nozzles arranged in adjacent rows, each nozzle having an ejection aperture and a corresponding actuator for ejecting printing fluid through the ejection aperture, each actuator having electrodes spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the rows. It also has drive circuitry for transmitting electrical power to the electrodes. The electrodes of the actuators in adjacent rows have opposing polarities such that the actuators in adjacent rows have opposing current flow directions. By reversing the polarity of the electrodes in adjacent rows, the punctuations in the power plane of the CMOS can be kept to the outside edges of the adjacent rows. This moves one line of narrow resistive bridges between the punctuations to a position where the electrical current does not flow through them. This eliminates their resistance from the actuators drive circuit. By reducing the resistive losses for actuators remote from the power supply side of the printhead IC, the drop ejection characteristics are consistent across the entire array of nozzles.
A two-dimensional image sensor with backlighting comprises a photodetector array (120). Light from a source (135) passes through the array (120) from behind, to reflect off a surface to be imaged (110), with the reflected light detected by the array (120). The photodetector array may be formed in an opaque bulk silicon substrate (190), with channels (180) etched through the substrate to allow light to pass through to the surface to be imaged (1 10). The sensor may further comprise a diffusing layer (130) and a spacer layer (150). The image sensor is suitable for imaging densely spaced dot coding patterns (111,112). A front-illuminated image sensor is also disclosed, with UV-stimulated infrared emitters arranged below a UV filter and photodetector array.
H01L 31/12 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof structurally associated with, e.g. formed in or on a common substrate with, one or more electric light sources, e.g. electroluminescent light sources, and electrically or optically coupled thereto
A swipe printer comprising: (a) a printhead for printing a graphic image and a position- coding pattern onto a surface; (b) an ink supply containing a first ink for printing the graphic image and a second ink for printing the position-coding pattern; (c) an image sensor positioned for imaging portions of the surface on which the printhead has printed during a swipe of the surface, each imaged portion containing part of the position-coding pattern printed by the printhead during the swipe; and (d) a processor for determining absolute positions of the swipe printer using the parts of the position-coding pattern. The processor is configured to use the absolute positions for controlling an output of the printhead during the swipe.
A phthalocyanine phthalocyanine salt suitable for formulation in a solvent-based or oil-based ink vehicle is disclosed. The phthalocyanine comprises one or more sulfonate groups and a counterion of at least one sulfonate group is an ammonium cation comprising at least 15 carbon atoms. Ammonium salts of sulfonated gallium naphthalocyanines exemplify such phthalocyanine salts. Formula (5)
C07D 487/22 - Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system, not provided for by groups in which the condensed system contains four or more hetero rings
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
B41J 2/005 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
A thermal inkjet printhead of the roof shooter type that slightly offsets the nozzle aperture centroid from the heater element centroid to correct drop trajectory misdirection caused by vapor bubble asymmetries.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
A method of fabricating a plurality of MEMS integrated circuits from a wafer having a MEMS layer formed on a frontside thereof and a polymer coating over said MEMS layer, said polymer coating having a plurality of frontside dicing streets defined therethrough, said method comprising the steps of: (a) releasably attaching a first holding means to said polymer coating; and (b) performing at least one operation on a backside of the wafer, said at least one operation including etching a plurality of backside dicing streets through the wafer, each backside dicing street meeting with a respective frontside dicing street, thereby providing the plurality of MEMS integrated circuits releasably attached to said first holding means, wherein each MEMS integrated circuit comprises a respective polymer coating.
H01L 21/78 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices
76.
METHOD OF FORMING CONNECTION BETWEEN ELECTRODE AND ACTUATOR IN AN INKJET NOZZLE ASSEMBLY
A method of forming an electrical connection between an electrode and an actuator in an inkjet nozzle assembly is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a layer of drive circuitry, the drive circuitry including the electrode for connection to the actuator; (b) forming a wall of insulating material over the electrode; (c) defining a via in the wall, the via revealing the electrode; (d) filling the via with a conductive material using electroless plating to provide a connector post; (e) forming at least part of the actuator over the connector post, thereby providing electrical connection between the actuator and the electrode.
A method of removing MEMS devices (2) from a handle substrate (1), where the MEMS devices are individually bonded to it via a thermal release adhesive (3) that reduces its adhesion when heated above a threshold temperature. The method heats the MEMS devices (2) individually with a heat source (10) to conductively heat the thermal release adhesive (11) above the threshold temperature. With the adhesive (11) directly in contact with the back side (5) of the MEMS device (2) no longer bonding it to the glass handle (1), the devices (2) can be individually removed by a die picker (6). This method quickly heats the adhesive to release each die in about 1 second. This is comparable to UV release adhesive and does not require a prior 30 minute drying bake. Furthermore, heating the die by conduction, will in turn conductively heat the adhesive s that only that adhesive which is closely localized to the die is released. The adhesive that bonds the adjacent dies to the glass handle remains unaffected.
B81C 1/00 - Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
B81C 3/00 - Assembling of devices or systems from individually processed components
H01L 21/67 - Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components
78.
INKJET PRINTHEAD WITH LOW VOLTAGE INK VAPORIZING HEATERS
There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements (10) corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element (10) is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid (11) in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble (12) therein. The generation of the bubble (12) causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture (5) in each nozzle, to effect printing. In each nozzle, the heater element (10) requires an electrical pulse with a voltage less than 10 volts and a duration less than 1.5 microseconds, to form the vapor bubble that causes the ejection of the drop. With the realization that drive pulse voltages above, say, 12 volts are not a fixed parameter of printhead design, the benefits of low voltage printhead operation can be incorporated into a design that yields efficiencies that negate the circumstances that created the initial demand for high voltage operation.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
A sensing device is provided for interacting with a substrate. The sensing device has a force sensor for detecting whether the sensing device is interacting with the substrate and an image sensor for sensing coded data disposed on the substrate. The force sensor has a capacitive sensor circuit incorporating a sensor capacitor having variable capacitance Csen arranged so that an output of the capacitive sensor circuit is proportional to 1/Csen.
G06K 7/08 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
80.
CODING PATTERN COMPRISING REPLICATED AND NON-REPLICATED COORDINATE DATA
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous square tags of length /. Each tag comprises x-coordinate data and y-coordinate data. A y-axis is nominally defined as north-south and an x-axis is nominally defined as east-west. A plurality of data elements are contained in each tag, and x- and y-coordinate data are represented by respective sets of data elements. The x-coordinate data comprises a replicated part and a non-replicated part. The y-coordinate data comprises a replicated part and a non-replicated part. The non-replicated parts are represented in a central row and central column of the tag, each being of width q. Any square portion of the coding pattern having a length (/ + q) is guaranteed to contain the x-coordinate data and the y-coordinate data for a tag irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion.
A printhead for an inkjet printer that has a printhead integrated circuit (68) with nozzles for ejecting ink, and a support structure (64, 176, 108) for supporting the printhead IC. The support structure has ink conduits (182) for supplying the nozzles with ink and a fluidic damper (200) containing gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink within the ink conduits to dissipate the pressure pulse. Damping pressure pulses using gas compression can be achieved with small volumes of gas. This preserves a compact design while avoiding any nozzle flooding from transient spikes in the ink pressure.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
82.
METHOD OF FABRICATING PRINTHEAD HAVING HYDROPHOBIC INK EJECTION FACE
A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face; (b) depositing a layer of relatively hydrophobic polymeric material onto the nozzle surface, the polymeric material being resistant to removal by ashing; and (c) defining a plurality of nozzle openings in the nozzle surface, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face. Steps (b) and (c) may be performed in any order.
A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a nozzle plate having relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face of the printhead; (b) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto the nozzle surface; (c) depositing a protective metal film onto at least the polymeric layer; (d) depositing a sacrificial material onto the polymeric layer; (e) patterning the sacrificial material to define a plurality of nozzle opening regions; (f) defining a plurality of nozzle openings through the metal film, the polymeric layer and the nozzle plate; (g) subjecting the printhead to an oxidizing plasma; and (h) removing the protective metal film, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face.
There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber, the second end defining a bubble outlet; and a wetting system for maintaining at least some liquid in the regulator channel, thereby ensuring that air entering the headspace first passes through the liquid. The regulator channel is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn from the bubble outlet as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.
A method of recovering a waveform representing a linear bar code, the method including the steps of: moving a sensing device relative to the barcode, said sensing device having a two-dimensional image sensor; capturing, using the image sensor, a plurality of two- dimensional partial images of said bar code during said movement; determining, from at least one of the images, a direction substantially perpendicular to the bars of the bar code; determining, substantially along the direction, a waveform fragment corresponding to each captured image; determining an alignment between each pair of successive waveform fragments; and recovering, from the aligned waveform fragments, the waveform.
G06K 9/18 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints using printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks, e.g. the character being composed of individual strokes of different shape, each representing a different code value
A system for controlling movement of a cursor on a display device, the system comprising: a substrate having a position-coding pattern disposed on or in a surface thereof; a sensing device comprising: an image sensor for optically imaging the position-coding pattern; and a processor configured for: generating absolute motion data by determining a plurality of absolute positions of the sensing device relative to the surface using the imaged position- coding pattern; generating orientation data indicative of an orientation of the sensing device relative to the substrate; and using the orientation data to translate the absolute motion data into relative motion data, said relative motion data being indicative of relative motion of the sensing device from the perspective of a user; and communication means for communicating the relative motion data to a computer system; and the computer system configured for: receiving said relative motion data from the sensing device; interpreting said relative motion data as cursor movement; and generating cursor control commands for said display device.
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous tags, each tag comprising x-coordinate data and y- coordinate data. A y-axis is nominally defined as north-south and an x-axis is nominally defined as east- west. A plurality of data elements are contained in each tag. The x- coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements and the y-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements. The x-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a western half of the tag and a second replication in an eastern half of the tag. The y-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a northern half of the tag and a second replication in a southern half of the tag. Fragments of the coordinate data are arranged such that any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain the x-coordinate data and the y-coordinate data for a tag irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion.
G06K 19/00 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
88.
METHOD OF SENSING MOTION OF A SENSING DEVICE RELATIVE TO A SURFACE
A method of sensing motion of a sensing device relative to a surface, the method including the steps of: optically imaging a position-coding pattern disposed on or in the surface; independently sensing relative position changes of the sensing device using a motion sensor; generating absolute motion data by determining a plurality of absolute positions of the sensing device relative to the surface using the imaged position-coding pattern; independently generating relative motion data using the relative position changes sensed by the motion sensor; and determining the motion of the sensing device using the absolute motion data supplemented with the relative motion data.
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous tags, each tag comprising x-coordinate data and y- coordinate data. A y-axis is nominally defined as north-south and an x-axis is nominally defined as east-west. A plurality of data elements are contained in each tag. The x- coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements and the y-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements. The x-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a western half of the tag and a second replication in an eastern half of the tag. The y-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a northern half of the tag and a second replication in a southern half of the tag. Fragments of the coordinate data are arranged such that any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain the x- coordinate data and the y-coordinate data for a tag irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion.
There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet for bubbling air bubbles into the chamber, each air bubble comprising an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink; and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the chamber as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.
An inkjet nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a nozzle chamber comprising a floor and a roof. The roof has a nozzle opening defined therein, and a moving portion moveable towards the floor. The assembly further comprises a thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of cantilever beams, for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening. A first active beam of the actuator defines at least 30% of a total area of the roof.
A system and method for reducing the noise induced in a particular section or level of a signal bandwidth. The section is isolated from the rest of the signal data, by rescaling this data to produce a buffer section adjacent the section with little or no data in it. The signal is then transmitted to the output device where all data is the buffer section is considered to be the result of noise, and is mapped back to the predetermined level. The signal data is inversely rescaled to move data back into the buffer section. In this way, more of the data that was input at the predetermined level, will also be at the predetermined level afterwards, thereby correcting noise induced in that level by noise inducing transmission techniques such as JPEG compression.
A method of causing a proportion of a click-through fee to be credited to a facilitator of a user interaction with a printed substrate, said substrate comprising coded data enabling the user interaction, said method comprising the steps of: (a) a user performing the user interaction with the substrate using a sensing device, said sensing device reading at least some of the coded data, said user interaction causing a first resource to be displayed on a display device wherein a content of said first resource includes at least one advertisement; and (b) the user selecting an advertisement in said first resource, thereby causing an advertiser resource corresponding to said advertisement to be retrieved and displayed on said display device, wherein step (b) causes said click-through fee to be charged to an advertiser associated with the advertisement, and said proportion of said click-through fee to be credited to said facilitator.
G06K 9/18 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints using printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks, e.g. the character being composed of individual strokes of different shape, each representing a different code value
An IR-absorbing phthalocyanine dye suitable for formulation in a solvent-based or oil-based ink vehicle is disclosed. The phthalocyanine comprises one or more sulfonate groups and a counterion of at least one sulfonate group is a phosphonium cation. Phosphonium salts of sulfonated gallium naphthalocyanines exemplify such dyes.
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
C07D 487/22 - Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system, not provided for by groups in which the condensed system contains four or more hetero rings
A method of delivering an advertisement related to a hyperlink printed on a substrate, said hyperlink being initiated by a first computer system, said method comprising the steps of: determining a context of said hyperlink; selecting one or more advertisements that relate to said context; and delivering said one or more advertisements to a second computer system wherein said second computer system is related to the first computer system.
A printhead IC comprising:an array of nozzles;an ejection actuator corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively, the ejection actuator having a resistive heater that is activated when the actuator ejects ink through the corresponding nozzle;drive circuitry for receiving print data and activating the actuators with drive signals in accordance with the print data; and,open actuator test circuitry for selectively disabling the actuators when they receive a drive signal while comparing the resistance of the resistive heater to a predetermined threshold to assess whether the actuator is defective.
B41J 2/32 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
An inkjet printhead with an array of nozzles (26) and corresponding heaters (10) configured for heating printing fluid (20) to nucleate a vapor bubble (12) that ejects a drop (24) of the printing fluid through the nozzle. Drive circuitry (22) generates an electrical drive pulse to energize the heaters (10) and is configured to adjust the drive pulse power to vary the vapor bubble nucleation time. By varying the power of the pulse used to generate the bubble, the printhead can operate with small, efficiently generated bubbles during normal printing, or it can briefly operate with large high energy bubbles if it needs to recover decapped nozzles.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
98.
MEMS BUBBLE GENERATOR FOR LARGE STABLE VAPOR BUBBLES
A MEMS vapour bubble generator that uses a heater in thermal contact with a liquid to generate a bubble. The heater is energized by an electrical pulse that is shaped to have a relatively low power, sub-nucleating portion and a high power portion that nucleates the bubble. The thermal energy transferred to the liquid by the sub-nucleating portion speeds up the nucleation of the bubble across the surface of the heater during the nucleating portion. This produces larger, more stable bubble having a regular shape.
B81B 7/02 - Microstructural systems containing distinct electrical or optical devices of particular relevance for their function, e.g. microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
A digital photo frame is provided. The frame comprises: a photo-sized display screen; an internal memory for storing photo image files; an interface for communication with an external memory device; an integral inkjet printer for printing photos displayed on the display screen; and a processor communicating with the display screen, the internal memory, the interface and the printer. In a preferred form the screen is rotatable into landscape and portrait configurations.
A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; generating a query expression comprising one or more search terms, at least one of said search terms being identified using the page description and the at least one position of the sensing device; forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request, or a results resource including search results obtained using the request, to the user.
patents
