Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080247017 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRINTING A HOLOGRAM - A system and method for printing a hologram are disclosed. The method includes the operation of transmitting a laser light beam. The laser light beam can be split into an object beam and a reference beam. Phase information can be added to the object beam using a spatial phase modulator to form a phase controlled object beam. The reference beam and the phase controlled object beam can be directed to a predetermined location on a holographic media to enable the reference beam and the phase controlled object beam to form an interference pattern on the holographic media. | 10-09-2008 |
20090046130 | Electrostatic Actuator And Fabrication Method - In one embodiment a method of making an electrostatic actuator includes: forming a first conductor over a first substrate to form a first structure; forming a flexible second conductor over a second substrate to form a second structure; forming an etch stop over the first conductor as part of the first structure or over the second conductor as part of the second structure; forming a spacer on the etch stop, the spacer selectively etchable with respect to the etch stop; etching the spacer through to the etch stop at a location of a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor; and bonding the first structure and the second structure together such that the first conductor is located opposite the second conductor across the gap. | 02-19-2009 |
20090244141 | Orifice health detection device - An orifice health detection device includes a fixed array of ink ejecting orifices, the ink ejecting orifices configured to eject at least one ink drop, a light source that produces a light beam configured to scatter light from the at least one ejected ink drop, and a light detector configured to detect light scattered from the at least one ejected ink drop. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244151 | Orifice health detection device and method - A method of detecting orifice health includes moving a cap support into a drop detect position wherein a light source mounted on the cap support is positioned adjacent an array of fluid ejecting orifices, from the light source, projecting a light beam adjacent to the array of fluid ejecting orifices, ejecting at least one fluid drop from the array and through the light beam, and detecting scattered light from the at least one ejected fluid drop. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244163 | Drop detection mechanism and a method of use thereof - A drop detection mechanism and method of use thereof is disclosed. In an embodiment, a shaped laser beam is employed to scatter light off of ink drops that are fired from a plurality of nozzles. A low cost, high throughput detector is utilized to detect the individual drops and thereby calculate the drop count, drop velocity and other drop characteristics. Consequently, through the use of the below described embodiments, new levels of print image quality are enabled on a broad range of inkjet printers, including industrial and web printers. | 10-01-2009 |
20090273620 | Drop Detector System And Method With Light Collector - One aspect is a drop detection arrangement including a light source for projecting a light beam for scattering light off of an ejected drop. The arrangement includes a light collector configured to collect the scattered light off the ejected drop and a light detector coupled to the light collector and configured to process scattered light into an output signal. The arrangement includes a controller configured to receive the output signal from the light detector. The output signal is indicative of the condition of the ejected drop. | 11-05-2009 |
20100207989 | LIGHT-SCATTERING DROP DETECTOR - A drop detector has a light-source and a light detector. The light-source is configured to scatter light off two or more substantially currently ejected drops. The light detector is configured to substantially concurrently sense, respectively at two or more different spatial locations, the light scattered off the two or more substantially currently ejected drops. | 08-19-2010 |
20100254020 | LASER LINE GENERATOR - A laser beam emission is collimated by optics. The collimated beam is shaped into an expanding planar laser beam by line generator optics. The expanding planar laser beam is collimated by other optics such that a beam having a generally rectangular cross-section is derived. The resulting beam can be used in ink drop detection and/or other applications. | 10-07-2010 |
20100259753 | Drop Detection - In one embodiment, a drop detection method includes: moving a light source along a first side of the drop zone to illuminate drops passing through a drop zone; and, without blocking any part of the drop zone, detecting light scattered off the drops as the drops pass through the drop zone. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes: a light source on a first side of the drop zone for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone; a light detector on the first side of the drop zone near the light source and a movable carriage carrying the light source and the light detector. The light detector is exposed to the drop zone for detecting light scattered off drops as the drops pass through the drop zone. The carriage is movable along the first side of the drop zone in a direction transverse to the drop direction. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265287 | DROP DETECTOR - In one embodiment, a drop ejector assembly includes a printhead, a drop zone immediately downstream from the printhead, an array of optical fibers exposed to the drop zone such that light scattered off drops in the drop zone illuminates at least some of the optical fibers in the array, and a photo detector operatively connected to the array of optical fibers for converting light from the optical fibers into an electrical signal. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light sensor for sensing light scattered off drops in the drop zone. The length of drop zone is 3 mm or less and the light sensor has a cross sectional dimension less than the length of the drop zone. | 10-21-2010 |
20110026025 | Drop Detection - In one embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light detector near the light source for detecting light scattered off the drops back toward the light source. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source operable to emit a beam of light for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light detector positioned near the light source to detect substantially only light scattered off the drops at a scatter angle θ in the range of 177° to 180°, where θ represents a direction of scattered light measured with respect to an axis of the light beam with θ=0° lying along the axis in a direction of travel of the light beam and θ=180° lying along the axis opposite the direction of travel of the light beam. | 02-03-2011 |
20110080451 | INK VISIBLE UNDER NARROW BAND UV RADIATION - An ink can be substantially invisible under most lighting conditions, and only visible when excited by UV energy having a wavelength specific to the colorant. The ink can include a liquid vehicle and a fluorescent colorant. The fluorescent colorant can have an average particle size of less than about 200 nm. Such ink can be configured as an ink-jet ink. | 04-07-2011 |
20110090275 | LIGHT SCATTERING DROP DETECT DEVICE WITH VOLUME DETERMINATION AND METHOD - One aspect is a drop detection arrangement including a light source for projecting a light beam for scattering light off of an ejected drop. The arrangement includes a light collector configured to collect the scattered light off the ejected drop and configured to process scattered light into an output signal. The arrangement includes a controller configured to receive the output signal from the light collector, to calculate the velocity of the ejected drop and to determine the volume of the ejected drop using the output signal and the velocity of the ejected drop. | 04-21-2011 |
20110109679 | PRINTING ORIFICE HEALTH DETECTION DEVICE - A detection device ( | 05-12-2011 |
20110121021 | METHOD OF DISPENSING LIQUID - A liquid dispensing device ( | 05-26-2011 |
20110170145 | Secure Document Creation with a Multi-Function Apparatus - In a method of creating a secure document with a multi-function apparatus, identity information of a user is obtained. The identity information is converted into a security feature, which is created to enable the user's identity information to be retrievable directly from the security feature. In addition, the security feature is printed onto the document with the multi-function apparatus. | 07-14-2011 |
20110221815 | Method Of Detecting Drops - A liquid dispensing device ( | 09-15-2011 |
20110286493 | MICROCALORIMETER SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, a microcalorimeter system includes a first microfluidic channel coupling a calorimeter with a sample chamber. A second microfluidic channel couples the calorimeter with a waste chamber. An inertial pump includes a fluid actuator integrated asymmetrically within the first microfluidic channel, and the fluid actuator is capable of selective activation to pump fluid from the sample chamber to the calorimeter and from the calorimeter to the waste chamber through the first and second microfluidic channels, respectively. | 11-24-2011 |
20110310385 | Light Scattering Aerosol Detect Device - One aspect is an aerosol detection arrangement including a light source for projecting a light beam. The arrangement includes a light collector configured to collect light scattered off liquid drops in an aerosol that enter the light beam and processing the scattered light into an output signal. The arrangement includes a controller for receiving the output signal from the light collector and uses the output signal to determine a predicted number of main liquid drops ejected. | 12-22-2011 |
20120007921 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE WITH CIRCULATION PUMP - A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot, a plurality of drop generators, and a fluid circulation pump to circulate fluid from the fluid slot through each drop generator individually and back into the fluid slot. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013906 | GRIN LENS ARRAY LIGHT PROJECTOR AND METHOD - One aspect is a light source assembly in a drop detection arrangement. The light source assembly includes a light source and a gradient-index lens array to at least partially collimate light from the light source and to project a collimated light beam into the drop detection arrangement in a direction transverse to a drop direction of droplets in the drop detection arrangement. The light source assembly produces the light beam such that it has a beam width in a direction transverse to the drop direction that is larger than a beam height in the drop direction. | 01-19-2012 |
20120105526 | Using light-scattering drop detector to determine turn-on-energy for fluid-ejection nozzle - For each energy value of a number of energy values, the energy value is applied to cause a fluid-ejection nozzle to eject a fluid drop. After the energy value has been applied to the fluid-ejection nozzle, a velocity of the fluid drop is determined using a light-scattering drop detector of the fluid-ejection device. A turn-on-energy (TOE) for the fluid-ejection nozzle is determined based on at least the velocities of the fluid drops determined after applying the energy values to the fluid-ejection nozzle. | 05-03-2012 |
20120244604 | POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system includes a mixture chamber, a denature chamber, an annealing chamber, an extension chamber, and a product chamber, that are fluidically coupled to one another through a plurality of microfluidic channels. An inertial pump is associated with each microfluidic channel, and each inertial pump includes a fluid actuator integrated asymmetrically within its associated microfluidic channel. The fluid actuators are capable of selective activation to circulate fluid between the chambers in a controlled cycle. | 09-27-2012 |
20130038895 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND PRINTER HAVING A PARTICULATE SENSOR FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING - A mobile communication device includes a wireless transceiver to provide voice communications and a particulate sensor that indicates the amount of particulates detected by the sensor. Control logic in the mobile communication device causes data indicative of the sensor signal to be transmitted through a wireless transceiver. A printer is also disclosed that includes a particulate sensor to monitor air quality at the printer. | 02-14-2013 |
20130057622 | FLUID EJECTION ASSEMBLY WITH CIRCULATION PUMP - A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot, and a group of uniformly spaced drop generators, where each drop generator is individually coupled to the fluid slot through a first end of a drop generator channel and to a connection channel at a second end of the drop generator channel. The fluid ejection assembly includes a pump disposed within a pump channel located between two drop generator channels, and is configured to circulate fluid from the fluid slot, into the connection channel through the pump channel, and back to the fluid slot through the drop generator channels. | 03-07-2013 |
20130061936 | GENERATING FLUID FLOW IN A FLUIDIC NETWORK - In one embodiment, a method of generating net fluid flow in a microfluidic network includes, with a fluid actuator integrated asymmetrically within a microfluidic channel, generating compressive and tensile fluid displacements that are temporally asymmetric in duration. | 03-14-2013 |
20130061962 | MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS - In one embodiment, a microfluidic system includes a fluidic channel coupled at each end to a reservoir. A fluid actuator is located asymmetrically within the channel to create a long side and a short side of the channel and to generate a wave propagating toward each end of the channel, producing a unidirectional net fluid flow. A controller is to selectively activate the fluid actuator to control the unidirectional net fluid flow through the channel. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063528 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE WITH CIRCULATION PUMP - A fluid ejection device includes a fluid recirculation channel, and a drop generator disposed within the channel. A fluid slot is in fluid communication with each end of the channel, and a piezoelectric fluid actuator is located asymmetrically within the recirculation channel to cause fluid flow from the fluid slot, through the recirculation channel and drop generator, and back to the fluid slot. | 03-14-2013 |
20130083136 | FLUID EJECTION ASSEMBLY WITH CIRCULATION PUMP - A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot formed in a first substrate and a channel formed in a chamber layer disposed on top of a second substrate. The bottom surface of the second substrate is adhered to the top surface of the first substrate and fluid feed holes are formed between the fluid slot and the channel. A fluid ejection element is at a first end of the channel and a pump element is at a second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically through the fluid feed holes. | 04-04-2013 |
20130155135 | FLUID EJECTION ASSEMBLY WITH CIRCULATION PUMO - A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot, a recirculation channel, and a drop ejection element within the recirculation channel. A pump element is configured to pump fluid to and from the fluid slot through the recirculation channel. A first addressable drive circuit associated with the drop ejection element and a second addressable drive circuit associated with the pump element are capable of driving the drop ejection element and the pump element simultaneously. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155152 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE INCLUDING RECIRCULATION SYSTEM - A fluid ejection device including, at least, one recirculation system is disclosed. Such recirculation system contains, at least, one drop generator, recirculation channels that include an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel and a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channel. Also disclosed are inkjet pen containing it and method of using it. | 06-20-2013 |
20130182031 | DROP DETECTOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A drop detector assembly includes an ejection element formed on a substrate to eject a fluid drop, and a light detector formed on the substrate to detect light scattered off of the fluid drop. A fluid drop ejected from a nozzle formed in a transparent nozzle plate scatters light that is detected through the transparent nozzle plate. | 07-18-2013 |
20130187974 | DOPED BLACK INK WITH INCREASED LIGHT SCATTERING EFFICIENCY FOR NOZZLE HEALTH DETECTION - A method of monitoring nozzle condition in an array of inkjet nozzles comprises ejecting at least one black ink drop from an inkjet nozzle, wherein the black ink comprises a black colorant and a colloidal metal or metal-containing dopant. Light from a collimated light source is directed onto an ink drop-in-flight, and light-scatter from the drop is detected. The dopant increases light-scatter by the ink drop of an incident collimated light beam relative to the same ink without the dopant. From the detected light-scatter, an operational condition of the inkjet nozzle is determined. The dopant is visually undetectable in a printed mark made by the black ink, and the ink has a printed black optical density which is substantially the same as that of the same ink without the dopant. | 07-25-2013 |
20130278656 | Determining an Issue with an Inkjet Nozzle Using an Impedance Difference - A method for determining an issue with an inkjet nozzle using an impedance difference includes taking a first impedance measurement with a sensor to detect a drive bubble in an ink chamber after a drive bubble formation mechanism is activated; and subtracting the first impedance measurement from a reference. | 10-24-2013 |
20130320198 | DROP DETECTION - A drop detector assembly is provided including an ejection element to eject a fluid drop, a light guide to selectively receive light scattered off of the fluid drop, and a light detector formed in the light guide to detect light received by the light guide. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321541 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEGASSING FLUID - In an embodiment, a method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device includes generating a localized nucleation site within an ejection chamber of a fluid ejection device. An air bubble is formed at the nucleation site, and the air bubble is prevented from venting into an ink supply slot using a bubble-impeding structure. The air bubble is vented through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber and into the atmosphere. | 12-05-2013 |
20140078213 | DROP DETECTOR - In one example, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone, multiple light detectors near the light source for detecting light scattered off drops passing through the drop zone, and multiple lenses each configured to focus light from the drop zone on one of the light detectors. In one example, each light detector is arranged in the same plane with all of the other light detectors. In one example, the lenses are configured to focus light from two different spaces in the drop zone on different detectors or groups of detectors. In one example, the lenses are configured to focus light from a single space in the drop zone on multiple detectors. | 03-20-2014 |
20140098156 | DROP DETECTION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A drop detection method comprises ejecting an ink drop that includes a fluorescent agent, illuminating the ink drop in flight with excitation light to excite the fluorescent agent, detecting fluorescence emitted by the drop in flight, having a longer wavelength than a wavelength of the excitation light, and, prior to such detecting, filtering out light having a shorter wavelength than the fluorescence wavelength; and a printer with drop detection assembly for performing the method. | 04-10-2014 |
20140118431 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE WITH FLUID DISPLACEMENT ACTUATOR AND RELATED METHODS - In an embodiment, a method of circulating fluid in a fluid ejection device includes generating compressive and expansive fluid displacements of different durations from a first actuator located asymmetrically within a fluidic channel between a first fluid feedhole and a nozzle while generating no fluid displacements from a second actuator located asymmetrically within the channel between the nozzle and a second fluid feedhole. | 05-01-2014 |
20140362143 | SLOT-TO-SLOT CIRCULATION IN A FLUID EJECTION DEVICE - In an embodiment, a fluid ejection device includes a die substrate having first and second fluid slots along opposite substrate sides and separated by a substrate central region. First and second internal columns of closed chambers are associated with the first and second slots, respectively, and the internal columns are separated by the central region. Fluidic channels extending across the central region fluidically couple closed chambers from the first internal column with closed chambers from the second internal column. Pump actuators in each closed chamber pump fluid through the channels from slot to slot. | 12-11-2014 |
20140375718 | DETECTING DEFECTIVE NOZZLES - A method of detecting a defective nozzle within a nozzle array, may comprise grouping each nozzle with a number of other nozzles within the nozzle array, measuring fluid output from each group of nozzles with a fluid detector, individually regrouping each nozzle within a group of nozzles whose fluid output is detected as not being commensurate with the amount of fluid that should be ejected from that group with a number of known non-defective nozzles to form a number of subsequent groups, and measuring fluid output from the subsequent groups of nozzles to determine which nozzle among the subsequent groups of nozzles is defective. | 12-25-2014 |
20140377145 | MICROFLUIDIC MIXING DEVICE - A microfluidic mixing device comprises a main channel and a number of secondary channels extending from a portion of the main channel and entering another portion of the main channel. A number of actuators are located in the secondary channels to pump fluids through the secondary channels. A microfluidic mixing system comprises a microfluidic mixing device. The microfluidic mixing device comprises a main fluid mixing channel, a number of main channel actuators to pump fluid through the main fluid mixing channel, a number of secondary channels fluidly coupled to the main fluid mixing channel, and a number of secondary channel actuators to pump fluids through the secondary channels. The microfluidic mixing device also comprises a fluid source, and a control device to provide fluids from the fluid source to the microfluidic mixing device and activate the main channel actuators and secondary channel actuators. | 12-25-2014 |
20150029252 | Determining an Issue in an Inkjet Nozzle with Impedance Measurements - A method for determining an issue in an inkjet nozzle with impedance measurements, includes taking a first impedance measurement to detect a drive bubble with an impedance sensor, and taking a second impedance measurement to detect said drive bubble with said impedance sensor after said first impedance measurement. | 01-29-2015 |