Compact media and ink cartridge for inkjet printhead Number:7,086,724 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A cartridge is provided for supplying print media and ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge is engaged. The cartridge comprises a casing, a core rotatably mounted inside the casing, an ink supply inside the core, a roll of print media supported by the core, and a transport mechanism mounted inside the casing for transporting the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead by rotating the core. The casing is substantially congruent to the arrangement of the transport mechanism and the roll of print media, when full, so as to provide a compact cartridge.<H printhead, cartridge, Compact, media, a, 7086724.html, Patent, pto, 7086724

Title: Compact media and ink cartridge for inkjet printhead

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for supplying print media and ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge is engaged. The cartridge comprises a casing, a core rotatably mounted inside the casing, an ink supply inside the core, a roll of print media supported by the core, and a transport mechanism mounted inside the casing for transporting the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead by rotating the core. The casing is substantially congruent to the arrangement of the transport mechanism and the roll of print media, when full, so as to provide a compact cartridge.

Patent Number: 7,086,724 Issued on 08/08/2006 to Silverbrook

Inventors: Silverbrook; Kia (Balmain, AU)
Appl. No.: 11/144,805

Filed: June 6, 2005

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
10831236	Apr., 2004
09112743	Jul., 1998	6727951

Foreign Application Priority Data


Jul 15, 1997 [AU]			PO7991
Jul 15, 1997 [AU]			PO7999

Current U.S. Class: 347/86

Current International Class: B41J 2/175 (20060101)

Field of Search: 347/40,42,43,85,86,87,102,108 400/207,214,242,613

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6238044	May 2001	Silverbrook et al.
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6837635	January 2005	Juan

Foreign Patent Documents


0398295	Nov., 1990	EP
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WO 95/16323	Jun., 1995	WO
WO 96/32265	Oct., 1996	WO
WO 97/06958	Feb., 1997	WO

Primary Examiner: Vo; Anh T. N.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/831,236 filed Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,743 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,951.

Claims

I claim:

1. A cartridge for supplying print media and ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge is engaged, the cartridge comprising: a casing; a core rotatably mounted inside the casing; an ink supply inside the core; a roll of print media supported by the core; and a transport mechanism mounted inside the casing for transporting the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead by rotating the core, wherein the casing is substantially congruent to the arrangement of the transport mechanism and the roll of print media, when full.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the core incorporates an ink outlet at one end thereof arranged to establish fluid communication between the ink supply and the printhead.

3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: the ink supply has a plurality of segments for storing different coloured inks; and the ink outlet of the core incorporates an outlet for each segment.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism incorporates a drive roller arranged to engage an external drive so as to be rotated and thereby transport the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead.

5. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the transport mechanism further incorporates a plurality of pinch rollers arranged with respect to the drive roller so that a de-curling force is imparted to the print media during transportation.

6. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the drive roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the casing for engagement with the external drive via a corresponding gear.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing is formed of moldings that snap lock together so as to encase the roll of print media, the core, the ink supply and the transport mechanism, the moldings being configured so that an outlet is formed through which the print media is transported by the transport mechanism, in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital cameras and in particular, the onboard processing of image data captured by the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilising a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilising a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation to which it was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image. Also, much of the environmental information available when the picture was taken is lost. Furthermore, the type or size of the media substrate and the types of ink used to print the image can also affect the image quality. Accounting for these factors during post processing of the captured image data can be complex and time consuming.

The present Applicant addresses these issues with a digital camera having an image processor takes account of the lighting conditions at the time of image capture, and confirms the type of ink and media, in order to enhance the quality of the printed image. This camera is described below and in many of the cross referenced documents incorporated herein by reference.

One particular feature of this camera is the instant production of personalised postcards using an inbuilt printhead. This requires a media cartridge that holds a reasonable amount of print media while remaining compact enough to keep the overall dimensions of the camera and cartridge acceptable to users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a media cartridge for supplying print media to a printhead, the cartridge comprising:

a roll of print media;

a casing with a rotatable core for supporting the media roll;

an ink supply within the core;

at least one ink outlet at one end of the core for establishing fluid communication between the ink supply and the printhead;

a drive roller assembly for engaging an external drive to feed the print media to the printhead; wherein,

the longitudinal axes of the core, and rollers of the drive roller assembly are parallel.

A media cartridge adopting this design is particularly compact, has a high media and ink capacity and relatively cost effective to manufacture. The majority of the components can be made from injection molded plastics and snap fitted together.

In some embodiments, the core is segmented with different coloured inks stored in each of the segments, wherein each of the segments has a respective ink outlet in the end of the core.

Preferably, the drive roller assembly comprises at least one media de-curling roller; such that,

as the media is fed to the printhead, it wraps around a portion of the at least one de-curling roller to remove residual curl caused by storage as a roll.

Providing the media in a roll allows the cartridge to be small and compact. However, the curl imparted to the media from being stored as a roll can interfere with printing when the media substrate passes the printhead. Using a de-curling roller within the drive rollers can straighten the media enough for flat engagement with the platen opposite the printhead.

The invention will be described with respect to its use with a digital camera with an inbuilt printhead. However, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and the invention has clear application in many other fields.

Preferably, the cartridge has one de-curling roller and two pinch rollers, wherein the pinch rollers maintain the media substrate wrapped around the required portion of the de-curling roller. In a further preferred form, one of the pinch rollers is driven. In some forms, the driven pinch roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the casing for engagement with an external drive source via a corresponding gear.

Preferably, and an outer cover enclosing the roll and the drive roller assembly, the outer cover comprising two interengaging side moldings that snap lock together to form a media outlet slot adjacent the drive roller assembly. Preferably, one side of the slot has a resilient guide extending away from the slot for resilient engagement with a paper path leading to the printhead upon installation of the cartridge. In particular embodiments, the printhead is controlled by an image processor and the cartridge further comprises an authentication chip for confirming the suitability of the ink and the media to the image processor.

In a particularly preferred form, the cartridge is configured for engagement with a cartridge interface such that the ink outlets establish fluid communication with the printhead, the image processor accesses the authentication chip, the geared axle of the drive roller engages the external drive and the resilient guide extending from the outlet slot engages the paper feed path, in a single installation action.

According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for use with a media cartridge comprising a supply of media substrate on which images can be printed, and an information store with information relating to the media substrate, the camera comprising:

an image sensor for capturing an image;

an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor and transmitting processed data to a printhead; and,

a cartridge interface for accessing the information such that the image processor can utilise the information relating to the media substrate.

The camera accesses information about the media substrate so that the image processor can utilise the information to enhance the quality of the printed image.

Preferably, the media substrate has postcard formatting printed on its reverse surface so that the camera can produce personalised postcards, and the information store has the dimensions of the postcard formatting to allow the image processor to align printed images with the postcard formatting.

In a further preferred form the cartridge further comprises an ink supply for the printhead and the information store is an authentication chip that allows the image processor to confirm that the media substrate and the ink supply is suitable for use with the camera.

According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for sensing and storing an image, the camera comprising:

an image sensor with a charge coupled device (CCD) for capturing image data relating to a sensed image, and an auto exposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and,

an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data; wherein,

the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture when processing the image data from the CCD.

Utilising the auto exposure setting to determine an advantageous re-mapping of colours within the image allows the processor to produce an amended image having colours within an image transformed to account of the auto exposure setting. The processing can comprise re-mapping image colours so they appear deeper and richer when the exposure setting indicates low light conditions and re-mapping image colours to be brighter and more saturated when the auto exposure setting indicates bright light conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the method of operation of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a form of print roll ready for purchase by a consumer;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section, of an alternative form of a print roll;

FIG. 4 is a left side exploded perspective view of the print roll of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a right side exploded perspective view of a single print roll.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the present applicant's application entitled "A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability", the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an "Artcam" type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor for determining the light level associated with the captured image. This auto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance with the set light value so as to enhance portions of the image.

Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining the light conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjusts the dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with the detected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcam central processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information, as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP. This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor to manipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the auto exposure setting information 1 is utilised in conjunction with the stored image 2 to process the image by utilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory store for later printing out 4 on the output printer.

A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with the determined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting 1 indicates that the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixel colours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image colours stronger, deeper and richer.

Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditions were present when the image was taken, the image colours can be processed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring of the image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to a hue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values in accordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be output converted to the required output colour format of printing.

Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised. Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisite Artcard inserted into the reader. Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automatically applied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certain conditions.

Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulations applied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting. For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in a dark image and large suns inserted in bright images.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the Artcam prints the images onto media stored in a replaceable print roll 5. In some preferred embodiments, the operation of the camera device is such that when a series of images is printed on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backing surface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched at the nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way, personalized postcards can be created.

It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system as illustrated FIG. 2 only predetermined image sizes are possible as the synchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front image must be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memory portions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll 5 to store details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. This can be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or by storing each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory.

In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of print roll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plastic pieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print roll has a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplified construction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed is wrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. The ink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed so as to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents. Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with the rubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camera system. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot and the ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which provides and assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slot relative to the printhead within the printing or camera system.

Turning to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a single point roll unit 5 in an assembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of the print roll. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate left and right side exploded perspective views respectively. The print roll 5 is constructed around the internal core portion 6 which contains an internal ink supply. Outside of the core portion 6 is provided a former 7 around which is wrapped a paper or film supply 8. Around the paper supply it is constructed two cover pieces 9, 10 which snap together around the print roll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottom cover piece 10 includes a slot 11 through which the output of the print media 12 for interconnection with the camera system.

Two pinch rollers 13, 14 are provided to pinch the paper against a drive pinch roller 15 so they together provide for a decurling of the paper around the roller 15. The decurling acts to negate the strong curl that may be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print roll for an extended period of time. The rollers 13, 14 are provided to form a snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion 10 and the roller 15 which includes a cogged end 16 for driving, snap fits into the upper cover piece 9 so as to pinch the paper 12 firmly between.

The cover pieces 9, 10 includes an end protuberance or lip 17. The end lip 17 is provided for accurate alignment of the exit hole of the paper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within the camera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of the exiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for full guidance of the paper to the printhead.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

The present invention is best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

Cross-Referenced Applications

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

TABLE-US-00001 Docket No. Reference Title IJ01US IJ01 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer IJ02US IJ02 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US IJ03 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US IJ04 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05US IJ05 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer IJ06US IJ06 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US IJ07 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US IJ08 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US IJ09 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer IJ10US IJ10 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US IJ11 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US IJ12 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US IJ13 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer IJ14US IJ14 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ15US IJ15 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer IJ16US IJ16 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ17US IJ17 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ18US IJ18 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ19US IJ19 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US IJ20 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US IJ21 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer IJ22US IJ22 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US IJ23 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US IJ24 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US IJ25 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer IJ26US IJ26 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US IJ27 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US IJ28 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer IJ29US IJ29 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ30US IJ30 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer IJ31US IJ31 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer IJ32US IJ32 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ33US IJ33 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer IJ34US IJ34 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring IJ35US IJ35 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer IJ36US IJ36 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US IJ37 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US IJ38 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US IJ39 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US IJ40 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units IJ41US IJ41 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element IJ42US IJ42 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ43US IJ43 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44US IJ44 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US IJ45 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.

TABLE-US-00002 ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Actuator Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal An electrothermal Large force High power Canon Bubblejet bubble heater heats the ink to generated Ink carrier 1979 Endo et al GB above boiling point, Simple limited to water patent 2,007,162 transferring significant construction Low efficiency Xerox heater-in- heat to the aqueous No moving parts High pit 1990 Hawkins et ink. A bubble Fast operation temperatures al U.S. Pat. No. nucleates and quickly Small chip area required 4,899,181 forms, expelling the required for actuator High mechanical Hewlett-Packard ink. stress TIJ 1982 Vaught et The efficiency of the Unusual al U.S. Pat. No. process is low, with materials required 4,490,728 typically less than Large drive 0.05% of the electrical transistors energy being Cavitation causes transformed into actuator failure kinetic energy of the Kogation reduces drop. bubble formation Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezo- A piezoelectric crystal Low power Very large area Kyser et al electric such as lead consumption required for actuator U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate Many ink types Difficult to Zoltan U.S. Pat. (PZT) is electrically can be used integrate with No. 3,683,212 activated, and either Fast operation electronics 1973 Stemme expands, shears, or High efficiency High voltage U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 bends to apply drive transistors Epson Stylus pressure to the ink, required Tektronix ejecting drops. Full pagewidth IJ04 print heads impractical due to actuator size Requires electrical poling in high field strengths during manufacture Electro- An electric field is Low power Low maximum Seiko Epson, strictive used to activate consumption strain (approx. Usui et all JP electrostriction in Many ink types 0.01%) 253401/96 relaxor materials such can be used Large area IJ04 as lead lanthanum Low thermal required for actuator zirconate titanate expansion due to low strain (PLZT) or lead Electric field Response speed magnesium niobate strength required is marginal (~10 (PMN). (approx. 3.5 .mu.s) V/.mu.m) High voltage can be generated drive transistors without difficulty required Does not require Full pagewidth electrical poling print heads impractical due to actuator size Ferro- An electric field is Low power Difficult to IJ04 electric used to induce a phase consumption integrate with transition between the Many ink types electronics antiferroelectric (AFE) can be used Unusual and ferroelectric (FE) Fast operation materials such as phase. Perovskite (<1 .mu.s) PLZSnT are materials such as tin Relatively high required modified lead longitudinal strain Actuators require lanthanum zirconate High efficiency a large area titanate (PLZSnT) Electric field exhibit large strains of strength of around 3 up to 1% associated V/.mu.m can be with the AFE to FE readily provided phase transition. Electro- Conductive plates are Low power Difficult to IJ02, IJ04 static plates separated by a consumption operate electrostatic compressible or fluid Many ink types devices in an dielectric (usually air). can be used aqueous Upon application of a Fast operation environment voltage, the plates The electrostatic attract each other and actuator will displace ink, causing normally need to be drop ejection. The separated from the conductive plates may ink be in a comb or Very large area honeycomb structure, required to achieve or stacked to increase high forces the surface area and High voltage therefore the force. drive transistors may be required Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator size Electro- A strong electric field Low current High voltage 1989 Saito et al, static pull is applied to the ink, consumption required U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 on ink whereupon Low temperature May be damaged 1989 Miura et al, electrostatic attraction by sparks due to air U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 accelerates the ink breakdown Tone-jet towards the print Required field medium. strength increases as the drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet Low power Complex IJ07, IJ10 magnet directly attracts a consumption fabrication electro- permanent magnet, Many ink types Permanent magnetic displacing ink and can be used magnetic material causing drop ejection. Fast operation such as Neodymium Rare earth magnets High efficiency Iron Boron (NdFeB) with a field strength Easy extension required. around 1 Tesla can be from single nozzles High local used. Examples are: to pagewidth print currents required Samarium Cobalt heads Copper (SaCo) and magnetic metalization should materials in the be used for long neodymium iron boron electromigration family (NdFeB, lifetime and low NdDyFeBNb, resistivity NdDyFeB, etc) Pigmented inks are usually infeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540K) Soft A solenoid induced a Low power Complex IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 magnetic magnetic field in a soft consumption fabrication IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 core electro- magnetic core or yoke Many ink types Materials not magnetic fabricated from a can be used usually present in a ferrous material such Fast operation CMOS fab such as as electroplated iron High efficiency NiFe, CoNiFe, or alloys such as CoNiFe Easy extension CoFe are required [1], CoFe, or NiFe from single nozzles High local alloys. Typically, the to pagewidth print currents required soft magnetic material heads Copper is in two parts, which metalization should are normally held be used for long apart by a spring. electromigration When the solenoid is lifetime and low actuated, the two parts resistivity attract, displacing the Electroplating is ink. required High saturation flux density is required (2.0 2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force Low power Force acts as a IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz acting on a current consumption twisting motion force carrying wire in a Many ink types Typically, only a magnetic field is can be used quarter of the utilized. Fast operation solenoid length This allows the High efficiency provides force in a magnetic field to be Easy extension useful direction supplied externally to from single nozzles High local the print head, for to pagewidth print currents required example with rare heads Copper earth permanent metalization should magnets. be used for long Only the current electromigration carrying wire need be lifetime and low fabricated on the print- resistivity head, simplifying Pigmented inks materials are usually requirements. infeasible Magneto- The actuator uses the Many ink types Force acts as a Fischenbeck, striction giant magnetostrictive can be used twisting motion U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,929 effect of materials Fast operation Unusual IJ25 such as Terfenol-D (an Easy extension materials such as alloy of terbium, from single nozzles Terfenol-D are dysprosium and iron to pagewidth print required developed at the Naval heads High local Ordnance Laboratory, High force is currents required hence Ter-Fe-NOL). available Copper For best efficiency, the metalization should actuator should be pre- be used for long stressed to approx. 8 electromigration MPa. lifetime and low resistivity Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under positive Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP tension pressure is held in a consumption supplementary force 0771 658 A2 and reduction nozzle by surface Simple to effect drop related patent tension. The surface construction separation applications tension of the ink is No unusual Requires special reduced below the materials required in ink surfactants bubble threshold, fabrication Speed may be causing the ink to High efficiency limited by surfactant egress from the Easy extension properties nozzle. from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is Simple Requires Silverbrook, EP reduction locally reduced to construction supplementary force 0771 658 A2 and select which drops are No unusual to effect drop related patent to be ejected. A materials required in separation applications viscosity reduction can fabrication Requires special be achieved Easy extension ink viscosity electrothermally with from single nozzles properties most inks, but special to pagewidth print High speed is inks can be engineered heads difficult to achieve for a 100:1 viscosity Requires reduction. oscillating ink pressure A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is Can operate Complex drive 1993 Hadimioglu generated and without a nozzle circuitry et al, EUP 550,192 focussed upon the plate Complex 1993 Elrod et al, drop ejection region. fabrication EUP 572,220 Low efficiency Poor control of drop position Poor control of drop volume Thermo- An actuator which Low power Efficient aqueous IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 elastic bend relies upon differential consumption operation requires a IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 actuator thermal expansion Many ink types thermal insulator on IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 upon Joule heating is can be used the hot side IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 used. Simple planar Corrosion IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 fabrication prevention can be IJ37, IJ38 ,IJ39, IJ40 Small chip area difficult IJ41 required for each Pigmented inks actuator may be infeasible, Fast operation as pigment particles High efficiency may jam the bend CMOS actuator compatible voltages and currents Standard MEMS

processes can be used Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very High force can Requires special IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermo- high coefficient of be generated material (e.g. PTFE) IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 elastic thermal expansion Three methods of Requires a PTFE IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 actuator (CTE) such as candidate for low deposition process, IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 polytetrafluoroethylene dielectric constant which is not yet (PTFE) is used. As insulation in ULSI standard in ULSI high CTE materials Very low power fabs are usually non- consumption PTFE deposition conductive, a heater Many ink types cannot be followed fabricated from a can be used with high conductive material is Simple planar temperature (above incorporated. A 50 .mu.m fabrication 350.degree. C.) processing long PTFE bend Small chip area Pigmented inks actuator with required for each may be infeasible, polysilicon heater and actuator as pigment particles 15 mW power input Fast operation may jam the bend can provide 180 High efficiency actuator .mu.N force CMOS and 10 .mu.m compatible voltages deflection. Actuator and currents motions include: Easy extension 1) Bend from single nozzles 2) Push to pagewidth print 3) Buckle heads 4) Rotate Conductive A polymer with a high High force can Requires special IJ24 polymer coefficient of thermal be generated materials thermo- expansion (such as Very low power development (High elastic PTFE) is doped with consumption CTE conductive actuator conducting substances Many ink types polymer) to increase its can be used Requires a PTFE conductivity to about 3 Simple planar deposition process, orders of magnitude fabrication which is not yet below that of copper. Small chip area standard in ULSI The conducting required for each fabs polymer expands actuator PTFE deposition when resistively Fast operation cannot be followed heated. High efficiency with high Examples of CMOS temperature (above conducting dopants compatible voltages 350.degree. C.) processing include: and currents Evaporation and 1) Carbon nanotubes Easy extension CVD deposition 2) Metal fibers from single nozzles techniques cannot 3) Conductive polymers to pagewidth print be used such as doped heads Pigmented inks polythiophene may be infeasible, 4) Carbon granules as pigment particles may jam the bend actuator Shape A shape memory alloy High force is Fatigue limits IJ26 memory such as TiNi (also available (stresses maximum number alloy known as Nitinol - of hundreds of MPa) of cycles Nickel Titanium alloy Large strain is Low strain (1%) developed at the Naval available (more than is required to extend Ordnance Laboratory) 3%) fatigue resistance is thermally switched High corrosion Cycle rate between its weak resistance limited by heat martensitic state and Simple removal its high stiffness construction Requires unusual austenic state. The Easy extension materials (TiNi) shape of the actuator from single nozzles The latent heat of in its martensitic state to pagewidth print transformation must is deformed relative to heads be provided the austenic shape. Low voltage High current The shape change operation operation causes ejection of a Requires pre- drop. stressing to distort the martensitic state Linear Linear magnetic Linear Magnetic Requires unusual IJ12 Magnetic actuators include the actuators can be semiconductor Actuator Linear Induction constructed with materials such as Actuator (LIA), Linear high thrust, long soft magnetic alloys Permanent Magnet travel, and high (e.g. CoNiFe[1]) Synchronous Actuator efficiency using Some varieties (LPMSA), Linear planar also require Reluctance semiconductor permanent magnetic Synchronous Actuator fabrication materials such as (LRSA), Linear techniques Neodymium iron Switched Reluctance Long actuator boron (NdFeB) Actuator (LSRA), and travel is available Requires the Linear Stepper Medium force is complex multi- Actuator (LSA). available phase drive circuitry Low voltage High current operation operation

TABLE-US-00003 BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuator This is the simplest Simple operation Drop repetition Thermal ink jet directly mode of operation: the No external rate is usually Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink actuator directly fields required limited to around 10 IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 supplies sufficient Satellite drops KHz. However, this IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 kinetic energy to expel can be avoided if is not fundamental IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 the drop. The drop drop velocity is less to the method, but is IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 must have a sufficient than 4 m/s related to the refill IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 velocity to overcome Can be efficient, method normally IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 the surface tension. depending upon the used IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 actuator used All of the drop IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 kinetic energy must IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 be provided by the actuator Satellite drops usually form if drop velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s Proximity The drops to be Very simple print Requires close Silverbrook, EP printed are selected by head fabrication can proximity between 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. be used the print head and related patent thermally induced The drop the print media or applications surface tension selection means transfer roller reduction of does not need to May require two pressurized ink). provide the energy print heads printing Selected drops are required to separate alternate rows of the separated from the ink the drop from the image in the nozzle by nozzle Monolithic color contact with the print print heads are medium or a transfer difficult roller. Electro- The drops to be Very simple print Requires very Silverbrook, EP static pull printed are selected by head fabrication can high electrostatic 0771 658 A2 and on ink some manner (e.g. be used field related patent thermally induced The drop Electrostatic field applications surface tension selection means for small nozzle Tone-Jet reduction of does not need to sizes is above air pressurized ink). provide the energy breakdown Selected drops are required to separate Electrostatic field separated from the ink the drop from the may attract dust in the nozzle by a nozzle strong electric field. Magnetic The drops to be Very simple print Requires Silverbrook, EP pull on ink printed are selected by head fabrication can magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. be used Ink colors other related patent thermally induced The drop than black are applications surface tension selection means difficult reduction of does not need to Requires very pressurized ink). provide the energy high magnetic fields Selected drops are required to separate separated from the ink the drop from the in the nozzle by a nozzle strong magnetic field acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves a High speed (>50 Moving parts are IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 shutter to block ink KHz) operation can required flow to the nozzle. The be achieved due to Requires ink ink pressure is pulsed reduced refill time pressure modulator at a multiple of the Drop timing can Friction and wear drop ejection be very accurate must be considered frequency. The actuator Stiction is energy can be very possible low Shuttered The actuator moves a Actuators with Moving parts are IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 grill shutter to block ink small travel can be required flow through a grill to used Requires ink the nozzle. The shutter Actuators with pressure modulator movement need only small force can be Friction and wear be equal to the width used must be considered of the grill holes. High speed (>50 Stiction is KHz) operation can possible be achieved Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Extremely low Requires an IJ10 magnetic field attracts an `ink energy operation is external pulsed pull on ink pusher` at the drop possible magnetic field pusher ejection frequency. An No heat Requires special actuator controls a dissipation materials for both catch, which prevents problems the actuator and the the ink pusher from ink pusher moving when a drop is Complex not to be ejected. construction

TABLE-US-00004 AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directly Simplicity of Drop ejection Most inkjets, fires the ink drop, and construction energy must be including there is no external Simplicity of supplied by piezoelectric and field or other operation individual nozzle thermal bubble. mechanism required. Small physical actuator IJ01 IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 size IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 IJ23 IJ45 Oscillating The ink pressure Oscillating ink Requires external Silverbrook, EP ink pressure oscillates, providing pressure can provide ink pressure 0771 658 A2 and (including much of the drop a refill pulse, oscillator related patent acoustic ejection energy. The allowing higher Ink pressure applications stimulation) actuator selects which operating speed phase and amplitude IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 drops are to be fired The actuators must be carefully IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 by selectively may operate with controlled blocking or enabling much lower energy Acoustic nozzles. The ink Acoustic lenses reflections in the ink pressure oscillation can be used to focus chamber must be may be achieved by the sound on the designed for vibrating the print nozzles head, or preferably by an actuator in the ink supply. Media The print head is Low power Precision Silverbrook, EP proximity placed in close High accuracy assembly required 0771 658 A2 and proximity to the print Simple print head Paper fibers may related patent medium. Selected construction cause problems applications drops protrude from Cannot print on the print head further rough substrates than unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops are printed to a High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP roller transfer roller instead Wide range of Expensive 0771 658 A2 and of straight to the print print substrates can Complex related patent medium. A transfer be used construction applications roller can also be used Ink can be dried Tektronix hot for proximity drop on the transfer roller melt piezoelectric separation. inkjet Any of the IJ series Electro- An electric field is Low power Field strength Silverbrook, EP static used to accelerate Simple print head required for 0771 658 A2 and selected drops towards construction separation of small related patent the print medium. drops is near or applications above air breakdown Tone-Jet Direct A magnetic field is Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP magnetic used to accelerate Simple print head magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and field selected drops of construction Requires strong related patent magnetic ink towards magnetic field applications the print medium. Cross The print head is Does not require Requires external IJ06, IJ16 magnetic placed in a constant magnetic materials magnet field magnetic field. The to be integrated in Current densities Lorenz force in a the print head may be high, current carrying wire manufacturing resulting in is used to move the process electromigration actuator. problems Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Very low power Complex print IJ10 magnetic field is used to operation is possible head construction fie