IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD USING SENSED EYE POSITION

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/941,714 filed Nov. 8, 2010, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/778,561 filed Jul. 16, 2007, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,847,836, which is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/636,226 filed Aug. 8, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,824, which is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,746 filed Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,419, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for Utilising Eye Detection Methods in a Digital Image Camera.

The present invention relates to the field of digital image processing and in particular, the field of processing of images taken via a digital 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. Further, much of the environmental information available when the picture was taken is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for processing an image previously captured by a camera and stored in a memory of the camera comprises the steps of sensing the position of an eye in the captured image; generating eye position information; and processing said captured image using the eye position information. The step of processing involves detecting a face within the capture image, and applying a morph to the detected face to modify the captured image. The step of processing further involves a step of applying a graphical object at a location within the image and relative to the detected face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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; and

FIG. 2 illustrates one form of image processing in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the concurrently filed 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 device is modified so as to include an eye position sensor which senses a current eye position. The sensed eye position information is utilised to process the digital image taken by the camera so as to produce modifications, transformations etc. in accordance with the sensed eye position.

The construction of eye position sensors is known to those skilled in the art and is utilised within a number of manufacture's cameras. In particular, within those of Canon Inc. Eye position sensors may rely on the projection of an infra red beam from the viewfinder into the viewer's eye and a reflection detected and utilized to determine a likely eye position.

In the preferred embodiment, it is assumed that the eye position sensor is interconnected to the ACP unit of the Artcam device as discussed in the aforementioned Australian Provisional Patent Application which is converted to a digital form and stored in the Artcam memory store for later use.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the eye position information 10 and the image 11 are stored in the memory of the Artcam and are then processed 12 by the ACP to output a processed image 13 for printing out as a photo via a print head. The form of image processing 12 can be highly variable provided it is dependant on the eye position information 10. For example, in a first form of image processing, a face detection algorithm is applied to the image 11 so as to detect the position of faces within an image and to apply various graphical objects, for example, speech bubbles in a particular offset relationship to the face. An example of such process is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein, a first image 15 is shown of three persons. After application of the face detection algorithm, three faces 16, 17 and 18 are detected. The eye position information is then utilised to select that face which is closest to an estimated eye view within the frame. In a first example, the speech bubble is place relative to the head 16. In a second example 20, the speech bubble is placed relative to the head 17 and in a third example 21, the speech bubble is placed relative to the head 18. Hence, an art card can be provided containing an encoded form of speech bubble application algorithm and the image processed so as to place the speech bubble text above a pre-determined face within the image.

It will be readily apparent that the eye position information could be utilised to process the image 11 in a multitude of different ways. This can include applying regions specific morphs to faces and objects, applying focusing effects in a regional or specific manner. Further, the image processing involved can include applying artistic renderings of an image and this can include applying an artistic paint brushing technique. The artistic brushing methods can be applied in a region specific manner in accordance with the eye position information 10. The final processed image 13 can be printed out as required. Further images can be then taken, each time detecting and utilising a different eye position to produce a different output image.

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 further best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs although it is not restricted thereto.

Ink Jet Technologies

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

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

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

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

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

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

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

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

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

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

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

Docket	Patent
No	No.	Title
IJ01US	6,227,652	Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer
IJ02US	6,213,588	Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ03US	6,213,589	Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ04US	6,231,163	Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ05US	6,247,795	Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ06US	6,394,581	Paddle Type Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ07US	6,244,691	Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ08US	6,257,704	Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ09US	6,416,168	Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ10US	6,220,694	Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ11US	6,257,705	Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic
		Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ12US	6,247,794	Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ13US	6,234,610	Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ14US	6,247,793	Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink
		Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ15US	6,264,306	Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ16US	6,241,342	Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ17US	6,247,792	PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating
		Pressure Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ18US	6,264,307	Buckle Grill Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ19US	6,254,220	Shutter Based Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ20US	6,234,611	Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ21US	6,302,528	Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ22US	6,283,582	Iris Motion Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ23US	6,239,821	Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ24US	6,338,547	Conductive PTFE Bend Actuator Vented Ink
		Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ25US	6,247,796	Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ26US	6,557,977	Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ27US	6,390,603	Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ28US	6,362,843	Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ29US	6,293,653	Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ30US	6,312,107	Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE
		Corrugated Heater Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism
IJ31US	6,227,653	Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ32US	6,234,609	High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ33US	6,238,040	Thermally Actuated Slotted Chamber Wall Ink
		Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ34US	6,188,415	Ink Jet Printer having a Thermal Actuator
		Comprising an External Coil Spring
IJ35US	6,227,654	Trough Container Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
		with Paddle
IJ36US	6,209,989	Dual Chamber Single Actuator Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ37US	6,247,791	Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum
		Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ38US	6,336,710	Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink
		Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ39US	6,217,153	Single Bend Actuator Cupped Paddle Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ40US	6,416,167	Thermally Actuated Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism having a Series of Thermal
		Actuator Units
IJ41US	6,243,113	Thermally Actuated Ink Jet Printing
		Mechanism including a Tapered Heater
		Element
IJ42US	6,283,581	Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism
IJ43US	6,247,790	Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic
		Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ44US	6,260,953	Surface Bend Actuator Vented Ink Supply Ink
		Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ45US	6,267,469	A Solenoid Actuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet
		Printing Mechanism

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 IJ95 above.

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

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

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

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

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS)

Actuator
Mechanism	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Thermal	An electrothermal heater	Large force generated	High power	Canon Bubblejet
bubble	heats the ink to above	Simple construction	Ink carrier limited to water	1979 Endo et al
	boiling point, transferring	No moving parts	Low efficiency	GB patent
	significant heat to the	Fast operation	High temperatures required	2,007,162
	aqueous ink. A bubble	Small chip area	High mechanical stress	Xerox heater-in-
	nucleates and quickly	required for actuator	Unusual materials required	pit 1990 Hawkins
	forms, expelling the ink.		Large drive transistors	et al U.S. Pat. No.
	The efficiency of the		Cavitation causes actuator	4,899,181
	process is low, with		failure	Hewlett-Packard
	typically less than 0.05%		Kogation reduces bubble	TIJ 1982 Vaught
	of the electrical energy		formation	et al U.S. Pat. No.
	being transformed into		Large print heads are	4,490,728
	kinetic energy of the drop.		difficult to fabricate
Piezoelectric	A piezoelectric crystal	Low power consumption	Very large area required for	Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No.
	such as lead lanthanum	Many ink types can be	actuator	3,946,398
	zirconate (PZT) is	used	Difficult to integrate with	Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.
	electrically activated, and	Fast operation	electronics	3,683,212
	either expands, shears, or	High efficiency	High voltage drive	1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.
	bends to apply pressure to		transistors required	3,747,120
	the ink, ejecting drops.		Full pagewidth print heads	Epson Stylus
			impractical due to actuator	Tektronix
			size	IJ04
			Requires electrical poling in
			high field strengths during
			manufacture
Electrostrictive	An electric field is used	Low power consumption	Low maximum strain (approx.	Seiko Epson,
	to activate	Many ink types can be	0.01%)	Usui et all JP
	electrostriction in relaxor	used	Large area required for	253401/96
	materials such as lead	Low thermal expansion	actuator due to low strain	IJ04
	lanthanum zirconate	Electric field	Response speed is marginal (~10 μs)
	titanate (PLZT) or lead	strength required	High voltage drive
	magnesium niobate (PMN).	(approx. 3.5 V/μm)	transistors required
		can be generated	Full pagewidth print heads
		without difficulty	impractical due to actuator
		Does not require	size
		electrical poling
Ferroelectric	An electric field is used	Low power consumption	Difficult to integrate with	IJ04
	to induce a phase	Many ink types can be	electronics
	transition between the	used	Unusual materials such as
	antiferroelectric (AFE) and	Fast operation (<1 μs)	PLZSnT are required
	ferroelectric (FE) phase.	Relatively high	Actuators require a large
	Perovskite materials such	longitudinal strain	area
	as tin modified lead	High efficiency
	lanthanum zirconate	Electric field
	titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit	strength of around 3 V/μm
	large strains of up to 1%	can be readily
	associated with the AFE to	provided
	FE phase transition.
Electrostatic	Conductive plates are	Low power consumption	Difficult to operate	IJ02, IJ04
plates	separated by a compressible	Many ink types can be	electrostatic devices in an
	or fluid dielectric	used	aqueous environment
	(usually air). Upon	Fast operation	The electrostatic actuator
	application of a voltage,		will normally need to be
	the plates attract each		separated from the ink
	other and displace ink,		Very large area required to
	causing drop ejection. The		achieve high forces
	conductive plates may be in		High voltage drive
	a comb or honeycomb		transistors may be required
	structure, or stacked to		Full pagewidth print heads
	increase the surface area		are not competitive due to
	and therefore the force.		actuator size
Electrostatic	A strong electric field is	Low current	High voltage required	1989 Saito et
pull on ink	applied to the ink,	consumption	May be damaged by sparks due	al, U.S. Pat. No.
	whereupon electrostatic	Low temperature	to air breakdown	4,799,068
	attraction accelerates the		Required field strength	1989 Miura et
	ink towards the print		increases as the drop size	al, U.S. Pat. No.
	medium.		decreases	4,810,954
			High voltage drive	Tone-jet
			transistors required
			Electrostatic field attracts
			dust
Permanent	An electromagnet directly	Low power consumption	Complex fabrication	IJ07, IJ10
magnet	attracts a permanent	Many ink types can be	Permanent magnetic material
electromagnetic	magnet, displacing ink and	used	such as Neodymium Iron Boron
	causing drop ejection. Rare	Fast operation	(NdFeB) required.
	earth magnets with a field	High efficiency	High local currents required
	strength around 1 Tesla can	Easy extension from	Copper metalization should be
	be used. Examples are:	single nozzles to	used for long
	Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and	pagewidth print heads	electromigration lifetime and
	magnetic materials in the		low resistivity
	neodymium iron boron family		Pigmented inks are usually
	(NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB,		infeasible
	etc)		Operating temperature limited
			to the Curie temperature
			(around 540 K)
Soft magnetic	A solenoid induced a	Low power consumption	Complex fabrication	IJ01, IJ05,
core	magnetic field in a soft	Many ink types can be	Materials not usually present	IJ08, IJ10
electromagnetic	magnetic core or yoke	used	in a CMOS fab such as NiFe,	IJ12, IJ14,
	fabricated from a ferrous	Fast operation	CoNiFe, or CoFe are required	IJ15, IJ17
	material such as	High efficiency	High local currents required
	electroplated iron alloys	Easy extension from	Copper metalization should be
	such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe,	single nozzles to	used for long
	or NiFe alloys. Typically,	pagewidth print heads	electromigration lifetime and
	the soft magnetic material		low resistivity
	is in two parts, which are		Electroplating is required
	normally held apart by a		High saturation flux density
	spring. When the solenoid		is required (2.0-2.1 T is
	is actuated, the two parts		achievable with CoNiFe [1])
	attract, displacing the
	ink.
Magnetic	The Lorenz force acting on	Low power consumption	Force acts as a twisting	IJ06, IJ11,
Lorenz force	a current carrying wire in	Many ink types can be	motion	IJ13, IJ16
	a magnetic field is	used	Typically, only a quarter of
	utilized.	Fast operation	the solenoid length provides
	This allows the magnetic	High efficiency	force in a useful direction
	field to be supplied	Easy extension from	High local currents required
	externally to the print	single nozzles to	Copper metalization should be
	head, for example with rare	pagewidth print heads	used for long
	earth permanent magnets.		electromigration lifetime and
	Only the current carrying		low resistivity
	wire need be fabricated on		Pigmented inks are usually
	the print-head, simplifying		infeasible
	materials requirements.
Magnetostriction	The actuator uses the giant	Many ink types can be	Force acts as a twisting	Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No.
	magnetostrictive effect of	used	motion	4,032,929
	materials such as Terfenol-	Fast operation	Unusual materials such as	IJ25
	D (an alloy of terbium,	Easy extension from	Terfenol-D are required
	dysprosium and iron	single nozzles to	High local currents required
	developed at the Naval	pagewidth print heads	Copper metalization should be
	Ordnance Laboratory, hence	High force is	used for long
	Ter-Fe-NOL). For best	available	electromigration lifetime and
	efficiency, the actuator		low resistivity
	should be pre-stressed to		Pre-stressing may be required
	approx. 8 MPa.
Surface	Ink under positive pressure	Low power consumption	Requires supplementary force	Silverbrook, EP
tension	is held in a nozzle by	Simple construction	to effect drop separation	0771 658 A2 and
reduction	surface tension. The	No unusual materials	Requires special ink	related patent
	surface tension of the ink	required in	surfactants	applications
	is reduced below the bubble	fabrication	Speed may be limited by
	threshold, causing the ink	High efficiency	surfactant properties
	to egress from the nozzle.	Easy extension from
		single nozzles to
		pagewidth print heads
Viscosity	The ink viscosity is	Simple construction	Requires supplementary force	Silverbrook, EP
reduction	locally reduced to select	No unusual materials	to effect drop separation	0771 658 A2 and
	which drops are to be	required in	Requires special ink	related patent
	ejected. A viscosity	fabrication	viscosity properties	applications
	reduction can be achieved	Easy extension from	High speed is difficult to
	electrothermally with most	single nozzles to	achieve
	inks, but special inks can	pagewidth print heads	Requires oscillating ink
	be engineered for a 100:1		pressure
	viscosity reduction.		A high temperature difference
			(typically 80 degrees) is
			required
Acoustic	An acoustic wave is	Can operate without a	Complex drive circuitry	1993 Hadimioglu
	generated and focussed upon	nozzle plate	Complex fabrication	et al, EUP
	the drop ejection region.		Low efficiency	550,192
			Poor control of drop position	1993 Elrod et
			Poor control of drop volume	al, EUP 572,220
Thermoelastic	An actuator which relies	Low power consumption	Efficient aqueous operation	IJ03, IJ09,
bend actuator	upon differential thermal	Many ink types can be	requires a thermal insulator	IJ17, IJ18
	expansion upon Joule	used	on the hot side	IJ19, IJ20,
	heating is used.	Simple planar	Corrosion prevention can be	IJ21, IJ22
		fabrication	difficult	IJ23, IJ24,
		Small chip area	Pigmented inks may be	IJ27, IJ28
		required for each	infeasible, as pigment	IJ29, IJ30,
		actuator	particles may jam the bend	IJ31, IJ32
		Fast operation	actuator	IJ33, IJ34,
		High efficiency		IJ35, IJ36
		CMOS compatible		IJ37, IJ38,
		voltages and currents		IJ39, IJ40
		Standard MEMS		IJ41
		processes can be used
		Easy extension from
		single nozzles to
		pagewidth print heads
High CTE	A material with a very high	High force can be	Requires special material	IJ09, IJ17,
thermoelastic	coefficient of thermal	generated	(e.g. PTFE)	IJ18, IJ20
actuator	expansion (CTE) such as	PTFE is a candidate	Requires a PTFE deposition	IJ21, IJ22,
	polytetrafluoroethylene	for low dielectric	process, which is not yet	IJ23, IJ24
	(PTFE) is used. As high CTE	constant insulation	standard in ULSI fabs	IJ27, IJ28,
	materials are usually non-	in ULSI	PTFE deposition cannot be	IJ29, IJ30
	conductive, a heater	Very low power	followed with high	IJ31, IJ42,
	fabricated from a	consumption	temperature (above 350° C.)	IJ43, IJ44
	conductive material is	Many ink types can be	processing
	incorporated. A 50 μm long	used	Pigmented inks may be
	PTFE bend actuator with	Simple planar	infeasible, as pigment
	polysilicon heater and 15 mW	fabrication	particles may jam the bend
	power input can provide	Small chip area	actuator
	180 μN force and 10 μm	required for each
	deflection. Actuator	actuator
	motions include:	Fast operation
	1) Bend	High efficiency
	2) Push	CMOS compatible
	3) Buckle	voltages and currents
	4) Rotate	Easy extension from
		single nozzles to
		pagewidth print heads
Conductive	A polymer with a high	High force can be	Requires special materials	IJ24
polymer	coefficient of thermal	generated	development (High CTE
thermoelastic	expansion (such as PTFE) is	Very low power	conductive polymer)
actuator	doped with conducting	consumption	Requires a PTFE deposition
	substances to increase its	Many ink types can be	process, which is not yet
	conductivity to about 3	used	standard in ULSI fabs
	orders of magnitude below	Simple planar	PTFE deposition cannot be
	that of copper. The	fabrication	followed with high
	conducting polymer expands	Small chip area	temperature (above 350° C.)
	when resistively heated.	required for each	processing
	Examples of conducting	actuator	Evaporation and CVD
	dopants include:	Fast operation	deposition techniques cannot
	1) Carbon nanotubes	High efficiency	be used
	2) Metal fibers	CMOS compatible	Pigmented inks may be
	3) Conductive polymers such	voltages and currents	infeasible, as pigment
	as doped polythiophene	Easy extension from	particles may jam the bend
	4) Carbon granules	single nozzles to	actuator
		pagewidth print heads
Shape memory	A shape memory alloy such	High force is	Fatigue limits maximum number	IJ26
alloy	as TiNi (also known as	available (stresses	of cycles
	Nitinol - Nickel Titanium	of hundreds of MPa)	Low strain (1%) is required
	alloy developed at the	Large strain is	to extend fatigue resistance
	Naval Ordnance Laboratory)	available (more than	Cycle rate limited by heat
	is thermally switched	3%)	removal
	between its weak	High corrosion	Requires unusual materials
	martensitic state and its	resistance	(TiNi)
	high stiffness austenic	Simple construction	The latent heat of
	state. The shape of the	Easy extension from	transformation must be
	actuator in its martensitic	single nozzles to	provided
	state is deformed relative	pagewidth print heads	High current operation
	to the austenic shape. The	Low voltage operation	Requires pre-stressing to
	shape change causes		distort the martensitic state
	ejection of a drop.
Linear	Linear magnetic actuators	Linear Magnetic	Requires unusual	IJ12
Magnetic	include the Linear	actuators can be	semiconductor materials such
Actuator	Induction Actuator (LIA),	constructed with high	as soft magnetic alloys (e.g.
	Linear Permanent Magnet	thrust, long travel,	CoNiFe [1])
	Synchronous Actuator	and high efficiency	Some varieties also require
	(LPMSA), Linear Reluctance	using planar	permanent magnetic materials
	Synchronous Actuator	semiconductor	such as Neodymium iron boron
	(LRSA), Linear Switched	fabrication	(NdFeB)
	Reluctance Actuator (LSRA),	techniques	Requires complex multi-phase
	and the Linear Stepper	Long actuator travel	drive circuitry
	Actuator (LSA).	is available	High current operation
		Medium force is
		available
		Low voltage operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE

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

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES)

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

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD

Actuator
amplification	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
None	No actuator mechanical	Operational	Many actuator mechanisms have	Thermal Bubble
	amplification is used. The	simplicity	insufficient travel, or	Inkjet
	actuator directly drives		insufficient force, to	IJ01, IJ02,
	the drop ejection process.		efficiently drive the drop	IJ06, IJ07
			ejection process	IJ16, IJ25, IJ26
Differential	An actuator material	Provides greater	High stresses are involved	Piezoelectric
expansion	expands more on one side	travel in a reduced	Care must be taken that the	IJ03, IJ09,
bend actuator	than on the other. The	print head area	materials do not delaminate	IJ17-IJ24
	expansion may be thermal,	The bend actuator	Residual bend resulting from	IJ27, IJ29-IJ39,
	piezoelectric,	converts a high force	high temperature or high	IJ42,
	magnetostrictive, or other	low travel actuator	stress during formation	IJ43, IJ44
	mechanism.	mechanism to high
		travel, lower force
		mechanism.
Transient	A trilayer bend actuator	Very good temperature	High stresses are involved	IJ40, IJ41
bend actuator	where the two outside	stability	Care must be taken that the
	layers are identical. This	High speed, as a new	materials do not delaminate
	cancels bend due to ambient	drop can be fired
	temperature and residual	before heat
	stress. The actuator only	dissipates
	responds to transient	Cancels residual
	heating of one side or the	stress of formation
	other.
Actuator	A series of thin actuators	Increased travel	Increased fabrication	Some
stack	are stacked. This can be	Reduced drive voltage	complexity	piezoelectric
	appropriate where actuators		Increased possibility of	ink jets
	require high electric field		short circuits due to	IJ04
	strength, such as		pinholes
	electrostatic and
	piezoelectric actuators.
Multiple	Multiple smaller actuators	Increases the force	Actuator forces may not add	IJ12, IJ13,
actuators	are used simultaneously to	available from an	linearly, reducing efficiency	IJ18, IJ20
	move the ink. Each actuator	actuator		IJ22, IJ28,
	need provide only a portion	Multiple actuators		IJ42, IJ43
	of the force required.	can be positioned to
		control ink flow
		accurately
Linear Spring	A linear spring is used to	Matches low travel	Requires print head area for	IJ15
	transform a motion with	actuator with higher	the spring
	small travel and high force	travel requirements
	into a longer travel, lower	Non-contact method of
	force motion.	motion transformation
Reverse	The actuator loads a	Better coupling to	Fabrication complexity	IJ05, IJ11
spring	spring. When the actuator	the ink	High stress in the spring
	is turned off, the spring
	releases. This can reverse
	the force/distance curve of
	the actuator to make it
	compatible with the
	force/time requirements of
	the drop ejection.
Coiled	A bend actuator is coiled	Increases travel	Generally restricted to	IJ17, IJ21,
actuator	to provide greater travel	Reduces chip area	planar implementations due to	IJ34, IJ35
	in a reduced chip area.	Planar	extreme fabrication
		implementations are	difficulty in other
		relatively easy to	orientations.
		fabricate.
Flexure bend	A bend actuator has a small	Simple means of	Care must be taken not to	IJ10, IJ19, IJ33
actuator	region near the fixture	increasing travel of	exceed the elastic limit in
	point, which flexes much	a bend actuator	the flexure area
	more readily than the		Stress distribution is very
	remainder of the actuator.		uneven
	The actuator flexing is		Difficult to accurately model
	effectively converted from		with finite element analysis
	an even coiling to an
	angular bend, resulting in
	greater travel of the
	actuator tip.
Gears	Gears can be used to	Low force, low travel	Moving parts are required	IJ13
	increase travel at the	actuators can be used	several actuator cycles are
	expense of duration.	Can be fabricated	required
	Circular gears, rack and	using standard	More complex drive
	pinion, ratchets, and other	surface MEMS	electronics
	gearing methods can be	processes	Complex construction
	used.		Friction, friction, and wear
			are possible
Catch	The actuator controls a	Very low actuator	Complex construction	IJ10
	small catch. The catch	energy	Requires external force
	either enables or disables	Very small actuator	Unsuitable for pigmented inks
	movement of an ink pusher	size
	that is controlled in a
	bulk manner.
Buckle plate	A buckle plate can be used	Very fast movement	Must stay within elastic	S. Hirata et al,
	to change a slow actuator	achievable	limits of the materials for	“An Ink-jet Head
	into a fast motion. It can		long device life	. . . ”, Proc. IEEE
	also convert a high force,		High stresses involved	MEMS, February 1996,
	low travel actuator into a		Generally high power	pp 418-423.
	high travel, medium force		requirement	IJ18, IJ27
	motion.
Tapered	A tapered magnetic pole can	Linearizes the	Complex construction	IJ14
magnetic pole	increase travel at the	magnetic
	expense of force.	force/distance curve
Lever	A lever and fulcrum is used	Matches low travel	High stress around the	IJ32, IJ36, IJ37
	to transform a motion with	actuator with higher	fulcrum
	small travel and high force	travel requirements
	into a motion with longer	Fulcrum area has no
	travel and lower force. The	linear movement, and
	lever can also reverse the	can be used for a
	direction of travel.	fluid seal
Rotary	The actuator is connected	High mechanical	Complex construction	IJ28
impeller	to a rotary impeller. A	advantage	Unsuitable for pigmented inks
	small angular deflection of	The ratio of force to
	the actuator results in a	travel of the
	rotation of the impeller	actuator can be
	vanes, which push the ink	matched to the nozzle
	against stationary vanes	requirements by
	and out of the nozzle.	varying the number of
		impeller vanes
Acoustic lens	A refractive or diffractive	No moving parts	Large area required	1993 Hadimioglu
	(e.g. zone plate) acoustic		Only relevant for acoustic	et al, EUP
	lens is used to concentrate		ink jets	550,192
	sound waves.			1993 Elrod et
				al, EUP 572,220
Sharp	A sharp point is used to	Simple construction	Difficult to fabricate using	Tone-jet
conductive	concentrate an		standard VLSI processes for a
point	electrostatic field.		surface ejecting ink-jet
			Only relevant for
			electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION

Actuator
motion	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Volume	The volume of the actuator	Simple construction	High energy is typically	Hewlett-Packard
expansion	changes, pushing the ink in	in the case of	required to achieve volume	Thermal Inkjet
	all directions.	thermal ink jet	expansion. This leads to	Canon Bubblejet
			thermal stress, cavitation,
			and kogation in thermal ink
			jet implementations
Linear,	The actuator moves in a	Efficient coupling to	High fabrication complexity	IJ01, IJ02,
normal to	direction normal to the	ink drops ejected	may be required to achieve	IJ04, IJ07
chip surface	print head surface. The	normal to the surface	perpendicular motion	IJ11, IJ14
	nozzle is typically in the
	line of movement.
Linear,	The actuator moves parallel	Suitable for planar	Fabrication complexity	IJ12, IJ13,
parallel to	to the print head surface.	fabrication	Friction	IJ15, IJ33,
chip surface	Drop ejection may still be		Stiction	IJ34, IJ35, IJ36
	normal to the surface.
Membrane push	An actuator with a high	The effective area of	Fabrication complexity	1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No.
	force but small area is	the actuator becomes	Actuator size	4,459,601
	used to push a stiff	the membrane area	Difficulty of integration in
	membrane that is in contact		a VLSI process
	with the ink.
Rotary	The actuator causes the	Rotary levers may be	Device complexity	IJ05, IJ08,
	rotation of some element,	used to increase	May have friction at a pivot	IJ13, IJ28
	such a grill or impeller	travel	point
		Small chip area
		requirements
Bend	The actuator bends when	A very small change	Requires the actuator to be	1970 Kyser et al
	energized. This may be due	in dimensions can be	made from at least two	U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398
	to differential thermal	converted to a large	distinct layers, or to have a	1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.
	expansion, piezoelectric	motion.	thermal difference across the	3,747,120
	expansion,		actuator	IJ03, IJ09,
	magnetostriction, or other			IJ10, IJ19
	form of relative			IJ23, IJ24,
	dimensional change.			IJ25, IJ29
				IJ30, IJ31,
				IJ33, IJ34,
				IJ35
Swivel	The actuator swivels around	Allows operation	Inefficient coupling to the	IJ06
	a central pivot. This	where the net linear	ink motion
	motion is suitable where	force on the paddle
	there are opposite forces	is zero
	applied to opposite sides	Small chip area
	of the paddle, e.g. Lorenz	requirements
	force.
Straighten	The actuator is normally	Can be used with	Requires careful balance of	IJ26, IJ32
	bent, and straightens when	shape memory alloys	stresses to ensure that the
	energized.	where the austenic	quiescent bend is accurate
		phase is planar
Double bend	The actuator bends in one	One actuator can be	Difficult to make the drops	IJ36, IJ37, IJ38
	direction when one element	used to power two	ejected by both bend
	is energized, and bends the	nozzles.	directions identical.
	other way when another	Reduced chip size.	A small efficiency loss
	element is energized.	Not sensitive to	compared to equivalent single
		ambient temperature	bend actuators.
Shear	Energizing the actuator	Can increase the	Not readily applicable to	1985 Fishbeck
	causes a shear motion in	effective travel of	other actuator mechanisms	U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,590
	the actuator material.	piezoelectric
		actuators
Radial	The actuator squeezes an	Relatively easy to	High force required	1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.
constriction	ink reservoir, forcing ink	fabricate single	Inefficient	3,683,212
	from a constricted nozzle.	nozzles from glass	Difficult to integrate with
		tubing as macroscopic	VLSI processes
		structures
Coil/uncoil	A coiled actuator uncoils	Easy to fabricate as	Difficult to fabricate for	IJ17, IJ21,
	or coils more tightly. The	a planar VLSI process	non-planar devices	IJ34, IJ35
	motion of the free end of	Small area required,	Poor out-of-plane stiffness
	the actuator ejects the	therefore low cost
	ink.
Bow	The actuator bows (or	Can increase the	Maximum travel is constrained	IJ16, IJ18, IJ27
	buckles) in the middle when	speed of travel	High force required
	energized.	Mechanically rigid
Push-Pull	Two actuators control a	The structure is	Not readily suitable for	IJ18
	shutter. One actuator pulls	pinned at both ends,	inkjets which directly push
	the shutter, and the other	so has a high out-of-	the ink
	pushes it.	plane rigidity
Curl inwards	A set of actuators curl	Good fluid flow to	Design complexity	IJ20, IJ42
	inwards to reduce the	the region behind the
	volume of ink that they	actuator increases
	enclose.	efficiency
Curl outwards	A set of actuators curl	Relatively simple	Relatively large chip area	IJ43
	outwards, pressurizing ink	construction
	in a chamber surrounding
	the actuators, and
	expelling ink from a nozzle
	in the chamber.
Iris	Multiple vanes enclose a	High efficiency	High fabrication complexity	IJ22
	volume of ink. These	Small chip area	Not suitable for pigmented
	simultaneously rotate,		inks
	reducing the volume between
	the vanes.
Acoustic	The actuator vibrates at a	The actuator can be	Large area required for	1993 Hadimioglu
vibration	high frequency.	physically distant	efficient operation at useful	et al, EUP
		from the ink	frequencies	550,192
			Acoustic coupling and	1993 Elrod et
			crosstalk	al, EUP 572,220
			Complex drive circuitry
			Poor control of drop volume
			and position
None	In various ink jet designs	No moving parts	Various other tradeoffs are	Silverbrook, EP
	the actuator does not move.		required to eliminate moving	0771 658 A2 and
			parts	related patent
				applications
				Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD

Nozzle refill
method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Surface	After the actuator is	Fabrication	Low speed	Thermal inkjet
tension	energized, it typically	simplicity	Surface tension force	Piezoelectric
	returns rapidly to its	Operational	relatively small compared to	inkjet
	normal position. This rapid	simplicity	actuator force	IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14
	return sucks in air through		Long refill time usually	IJ16, IJ20,
	the nozzle opening. The ink		dominates the total	IJ22-IJ45
	surface tension at the		repetition rate
	nozzle then exerts a small
	force restoring the
	meniscus to a minimum area.
Shuttered	Ink to the nozzle chamber	High speed	Requires common ink pressure	IJ08, IJ13,
oscillating	is provided at a pressure	Low actuator energy,	oscillator	IJ15, IJ17
ink pressure	that oscillates at twice	as the actuator need	May not be suitable for	IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
	the drop ejection	only open or close	pigmented inks
	frequency. When a drop is	the shutter, instead
	to be ejected, the shutter	of ejecting the ink
	is opened for 3 half	drop
	cycles: drop ejection,
	actuator return, and
	refill.
Refill	After the main actuator has	High speed, as the	Requires two independent	IJ09
actuator	ejected a drop a second	nozzle is actively	actuators per nozzle
	(refill) actuator is	refilled
	energized. The refill
	actuator pushes ink into
	the nozzle chamber. The
	refill actuator returns
	slowly, to prevent its
	return from emptying the
	chamber again.
Positive ink	The ink is held a slight	High refill rate,	Surface spill must be	Silverbrook, EP
pressure	positive pressure. After	therefore a high drop	prevented	0771 658 A2 and
	the ink drop is ejected,	repetition rate is	Highly hydrophobic print head	related patent
	the nozzle chamber fills	possible	surfaces are required	applications
	quickly as surface tension			Alternative for:
	and ink pressure both			IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14
	operate to refill the			IJ16, IJ20,
	nozzle.			IJ22-IJ45

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET

Inlet
back-flow
restriction
method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Long inlet	The ink inlet channel	Design simplicity	Restricts refill	Thermal inkjet
channel	to the nozzle chamber	Operational	rate	Piezoelectric inkjet
	is made long and	simplicity	May result in a	IJ42, IJ43
	relatively narrow,	Reduces	relatively large chip
	relying on viscous	crosstalk	area
	drag to reduce inlet		Only partially
	back-flow.		effective
Positive ink	The ink is under a	Drop selection	Requires a	Silverbrook, EP
pressure	positive pressure, so	and separation	method (such as a	0771 658 A2 and
	that in the quiescent	forces can be	nozzle rim or	related patent
	state some of the ink	reduced	effective	applications
	drop already protrudes	Fast refill time	hydrophobizing, or	Possible
	from the nozzle.		both) to prevent	operation of the
	This reduces the		flooding of the	following:
	pressure in the nozzle		ejection surface of	IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12
	chamber which is		the print head.	IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22,
	required to eject a			IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41
	certain volume of ink.			IJ44
	The reduction in
	chamber pressure
	results in a reduction
	in ink pushed out
	through the inlet.
Baffle	One or more baffles	The refill rate is	Design	HP Thermal Ink
	are placed in the inlet	not as restricted as	complexity	Jet
	ink flow. When the	the long inlet	May increase	Tektronix
	actuator is energized,	method.	fabrication	piezoelectric ink
	the rapid ink	Reduces	complexity (e.g.	jet
	movement creates	crosstalk	Tektronix hot melt
	eddies which restrict		Piezoelectric print
	the flow through the		heads).
	inlet. The slower refill
	process is unrestricted,
	and does not result in
	eddies.
Flexible flap	In this method recently	Significantly	Not applicable to	Canon
restricts	disclosed by Canon,	reduces back-flow	most inkjet
inlet	the expanding actuator	for edge-shooter	configurations
	(bubble) pushes on a	thermal ink jet	Increased
	flexible flap that	devices	fabrication
	restricts the inlet.		complexity
			Inelastic
			deformation of
			polymer flap results
			in creep over
			extended use
Inlet filter	A filter is located	Additional	Restricts refill	IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27
	between the ink inlet	advantage of ink	rate	IJ29, IJ30
	and the nozzle	filtration	May result in
	chamber. The filter	Ink filter may be	complex
	has a multitude of	fabricated with no	construction
	small holes or slots,	additional process
	restricting ink flow.	steps
	The filter also removes
	particles which may
	block the nozzle.
Small inlet	The ink inlet channel	Design simplicity	Restricts refill	IJ02, IJ37, IJ44
compared	to the nozzle chamber		rate
to nozzle	has a substantially		May result in a
	smaller cross section		relatively large chip
	than that of the nozzle,		area
	resulting in easier ink		Only partially
	egress out of the		effective
	nozzle than out of the
	inlet.
Inlet shutter	A secondary actuator	Increases speed	Requires separate	IJ09
	controls the position of	of the ink-jet print	refill actuator and
	a shutter, closing off	head operation	drive circuit
	the ink inlet when the
	main actuator is
	energized.
The inlet is	The method avoids the	Back-flow	Requires careful	IJ01, IJ03, 1J05, IJ06
located	problem of inlet back-	problem is	design to minimize	IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14
behind the	flow by arranging the	eliminated	the negative	IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25
ink-pushing	ink-pushing surface of		pressure behind the	IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33
surface	the actuator between		paddle	IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39
	the inlet and the			IJ40, IJ41
	nozzle.
Part of the	The actuator and a	Significant	Small increase in	IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38
actuator	wall of the ink	reductions in	fabrication
moves to	chamber are arranged	back-flow can be	complexity
shut off the	so that the motion of	achieved
inlet	the actuator closes off	Compact designs
	the inlet.	possible
Nozzle	In some configurations	Ink back-flow	None related to	Silverbrook, EP
actuator	of ink jet, there is no	problem is	ink back-flow on	0771 658 A2 and
does not	expansion or	eliminated	actuation	related patent
result in ink	movement of an			applications
back-flow	actuator which may			Valve-jet
	cause ink back-flow			Tone-jet
	through the inlet.			IJ08, IJ13, 1J15, IJ17
				IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD

Nozzle
Clearing
method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Normal	All of the nozzles are	No added	May not be	Most ink jet
nozzle firing	fired periodically,	complexity on the	sufficient to	systems
	before the ink has a	print head	displace dried ink	IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12
	chance to dry. When			IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22
	not in use the nozzles			IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45
	are sealed (capped)
	against air.
	The nozzle firing is
	usually performed
	during a special
	clearing cycle, after
	first moving the print
	head to a cleaning
	station.
Extra	In systems which heat	Can be highly	Requires higher	Silverbrook, EP
power to	the ink, but do not boil	effective if the	drive voltage for	0771 658 A2 and
ink heater	it under normal	heater is adjacent to	clearing	related patent
	situations, nozzle	the nozzle	May require	applications
	clearing can be		larger drive
	achieved by over-		transistors
	powering the heater
	and boiling ink at the
	nozzle.
Rapid	The actuator is fired in	Does not require	Effectiveness	May be used with:
succession	rapid succession. In	extra drive circuits	depends	IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11
of actuator	some configurations,	on the print head	substantially upon	IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22
pulses	this may cause heat	Can be readily	the configuration of	IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34
	build-up at the nozzle	controlled and	the inkjet nozzle	IJ36-IJ45
	which boils the ink,	initiated by digital
	clearing the nozzle. In	logic
	other situations, it may
	cause sufficient
	vibrations to dislodge
	clogged nozzles.
Extra	Where an actuator is	A simple	Not suitable	May be used with:
power to	not normally driven to	solution where	where there is a	IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20
ink pushing	the limit of its motion,	applicable	hard limit to	IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27
actuator	nozzle clearing may be		actuator movement	IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32
	assisted by providing			IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42
	an enhanced drive			IJ43, IJ44, IJ45
	signal to the actuator.
Acoustic	An ultrasonic wave is	A high nozzle	High	IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17
resonance	applied to the ink	clearing capability	implementation cost	IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
	chamber. This wave is	can be achieved	if system does not
	of an appropriate	May be	already include an
	amplitude and	implemented at very	acoustic actuator
	frequency to cause	low cost in systems
	sufficient force at the	which already
	nozzle to clear	include acoustic
	blockages. This is	actuators
	easiest to achieve if
	the ultrasonic wave is
	at a resonant
	frequency of the ink
	cavity.
Nozzle	A microfabricated	Can clear	Accurate	Silverbrook, EP
clearing	plate is pushed against	severely clogged	mechanical	0771 658 A2 and
plate	the nozzles. The plate	nozzles	alignment is	related patent
	has a post for every		required	applications
	nozzle. The array of		Moving parts are
	posts.		required
			There is risk of
			damage to the
			nozzles
			Accurate
			fabrication is
			required
Ink	The pressure of the ink	May be effective	Requires	May be used
pressure	is temporarily	where other	pressure pump or	with all IJ series ink
pulse	increased so that ink	methods cannot be	other pressure	jets
	streams from all of the	used	actuator
	nozzles. This may be		Expensive
	used in conjunction		Wasteful of ink
	with actuator
	energizing.
Print head	A flexible ‘blade’ is	Effective for	Difficult to use if	Many ink jet
wiper	wiped across the print	planar print head	print head surface is	systems
	head surface. The	surfaces	non-planar or very
	blade is usually	Low cost	fragile
	fabricated from a		Requires
	flexible polymer, e.g.		mechanical parts
	rubber or synthetic		Blade can wear
	elastomer.		out in high volume
			print systems
Separate	A separate heater is	Can be effective	Fabrication	Can be used with
ink boiling	provided at the nozzle	where other nozzle	complexity	many IJ series ink
heater	although the normal	clearing methods		jets
	drop ejection	cannot be used
	mechanism does not	Can be
	require it. The heaters	implemented at no
	do not require	additional cost in
	individual drive	some inkjet
	circuits, as many	configurations
	nozzles can be cleared
	simultaneously, and no
	imaging is required.

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION

Nozzle
plate
construction	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Electro-	A nozzle plate is	Fabrication	High	Hewlett Packard
formed	separately fabricated	simplicity	temperatures and	Thermal Inkjet
nickel	from electroformed		pressures are
	nickel, and bonded to		required to bond
	the print head chip.		nozzle plate
			Minimum
			thickness constraints
			Differential
			thermal expansion
Laser	Individual nozzle	No masks	Each hole must	Canon Bubblejet
ablated or	holes are ablated by an	required	be individually	1988 Sercel et
drilled	intense UV laser in a	Can be quite fast	formed	al., SPIE, Vol. 998
polymer	nozzle plate, which is	Some control	Special	Excimer Beam
	typically a polymer	over nozzle profile	equipment required	Applications, pp.
	such as polyimide or	is possible	Slow where there	76-83
	polysulphone	Equipment	are many thousands	1993 Watanabe
		required is relatively	of nozzles per print	et al., U.S. Pat. No.
		low cost	head	5,208,604
			May produce thin
			burrs at exit holes
Silicon	A separate nozzle	High accuracy is	Two part	K. Bean, IEEE
micro-	plate is	attainable	construction	Transactions on
machined	micromachined from		High cost	Electron Devices,
	single crystal silicon,		Requires	Vol. ED-25, No. 10,
	and bonded to the		precision alignment	1978, pp 1185-1195
	print head wafer.		Nozzles may be	Xerox 1990
			clogged by adhesive	Hawkins et al.,
				U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181
Glass	Fine glass capillaries	No expensive	Very small	1970 Zoltan
capillaries	are drawn from glass	equipment required	nozzle sizes are	U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212
	tubing. This method	Simple to make	difficult to form
	has been used for	single nozzles	Not suited for
	making individual		mass production
	nozzles, but is difficult
	to use for bulk
	manufacturing of print
	heads with thousands
	of nozzles.
Monolithic,	The nozzle plate is	High accuracy	Requires	Silverbrook, EP
surface	deposited as a layer	(<1 μm)	sacrificial layer	0771 658 A2 and
micro-	using standard VLSI	Monolithic	under the nozzle	related patent
machined	deposition techniques.	Low cost	plate to form the	applications
using VLSI	Nozzles are etched in	Existing	nozzle chamber	IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11
litho-	the nozzle plate using	processes can be	Surface may be	IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20
graphic	VLSI lithography and	used	fragile to the touch	IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28
processes	etching.			IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32
				IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37
				IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41
				IJ42, IJ43, IJ44
Monolithic,	The nozzle plate is a	High accuracy	Requires long	IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07
etched	buried etch stop in the	(<1 μm)	etch times	IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13
through	wafer. Nozzle	Monolithic	Requires a	IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19
substrate	chambers are etched in	Low cost	support wafer	IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26
	the front of the wafer,	No differential
	and the wafer is	expansion
	thinned from the back
	side. Nozzles are then
	etched in the etch stop
	layer.
No nozzle	Various methods have	No nozzles to	Difficult to	Ricoh 1995
plate	been tried to eliminate	become clogged	control drop	Sekiya et al
	the nozzles entirely, to		position accurately	U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413
	prevent nozzle		Crosstalk	1993 Hadimioglu
	clogging. These		problems	et al EUP 550,192
	include thermal bubble			1993 Elrod et al
	mechanisms and			EUP 572,220
	acoustic lens
	mechanisms
Trough	Each drop ejector has	Reduced	Drop firing	IJ35
	a trough through	manufacturing	direction is sensitive
	which a paddle moves.	complexity	to wicking.
	There is no nozzle	Monolithic
	plate.
Nozzle slit	The elimination of	No nozzles to	Difficult to	1989 Saito et al
instead of	nozzle holes and	become clogged	control drop	U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068
individual	replacement by a slit		position accurately
nozzles	encompassing many		Crosstalk
	actuator positions		problems
	reduces nozzle
	clogging, but increases
	crosstalk due to ink
	surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION

Ejection
direction	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Edge	Ink flow is along the	Simple	Nozzles limited	Canon Bubblejet
(‘edge	surface of the chip,	construction	to edge	1979 Endo et al GB
shooter’)	and ink drops are	No silicon	High resolution	patent 2,007,162
	ejected from the chip	etching required	is difficult	Xerox heater-in-
	edge.	Good heat	Fast color	pit 1990 Hawkins et al
		sinking via substrate	printing requires	U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181
		Mechanically	one print head per	Tone-jet
		strong	color
		Ease of chip
		handing
Surface	Ink flow is along the	No bulk silicon	Maximum ink	Hewlett-Packard
(‘roof	surface of the chip,	etching required	flow is severely	TIJ 1982 Vaught et al
shooter’)	and ink drops are	Silicon can make	restricted	U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728
	ejected from the chip	an effective heat		IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20
	surface, normal to the	sink		IJ22
	plane of the chip.	Mechanical
		strength
Through	Ink flow is through the	High ink flow	Requires bulk	Silverbrook, EP
chip,	chip, and ink drops are	Suitable for	silicon etching	0771 658 A2 and
forward	ejected from the front	pagewidth print		related patent
(‘up	surface of the chip.	High nozzle		applications
shooter’)		packing density		IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24
		therefore low		IJ27-IJ45
		manufacturing cost
Through	Ink flow is through the	High ink flow	Requires wafer	IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06
chip,	chip, and ink drops are	Suitable for	thinning	IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10
reverse	ejected from the rear	pagewidth print	Requires special	IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16
(‘down	surface of the chip.	High nozzle	handling during	IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25
shooter’)		packing density	manufacture	IJ26
		therefore low
		manufacturing cost
Through	Ink flow is through the	Suitable for	Pagewidth print	Epson Stylus
actuator	actuator, which is not	piezoelectric print	heads require	Tektronix hot
	fabricated as part of	heads	several thousand	melt piezoelectric
	the same substrate as		connections to drive	ink jets
	the drive transistors.		circuits
			Cannot be
			manufactured in
			standard CMOS
			fabs
			Complex
			assembly required

INK TYPE

Ink type	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples
Aqueous,	Water based ink which	Environmentally	Slow drying	Most existing inkjets
dye	typically contains:	friendly	Corrosive	All IJ series ink jets
	water, dye, surfactant,	No odor	Bleeds on paper	Silverbrook, EP
	humectant, and		May	0771 658 A2 and
	biocide.		strikethrough	related patent
	Modern ink dyes have		Cockles paper	applications
	high water-fastness,
	light fastness
Aqueous,	Water based ink which	Environmentally	Slow drying	IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26
pigment	typically contains:	friendly	Corrosive	IJ27, IJ30
	water, pigment,	No odor	Pigment may	Silverbrook, EP
	surfactant, humectant,	Reduced bleed	clog nozzles	0771 658 A2 and
	and biocide.	Reduced wicking	Pigment may	related patent
	Pigments have an	Reduced	clog actuator	applications
	advantage in reduced	strikethrough	mechanisms	Piezoelectric ink-jets
	bleed, wicking and		Cockles paper	Thermal ink jets
	strikethrough.			(with significant
				restrictions)
Methyl	MEK is a highly	Very fast drying	Odorous	All IJ series ink
Ethyl	volatile solvent used	Prints on various	Flammable	jets
Ketone	for industrial printing	substrates such as
(MEK)	on difficult surfaces	metals and plastics
	such as aluminum
	cans.
Alcohol	Alcohol based inks	Fast drying	Slight odor	All IJ series ink
(ethanol,	can be used where the	Operates at sub-	Flammable	jets
2-butanol,	printer must operate at	freezing
and others)	temperatures below	temperatures
	the freezing point of	Reduced paper
	water. An example of	cockle
	this is in-camera	Low cost
	consumer
	photographic printing.
Phase	The ink is solid at	No drying time-	High viscosity	Tektronix hot
change	room temperature, and	ink instantly freezes	Printed ink	melt piezoelectric
(hot melt)	is melted in the print	on the print medium	typically has a	ink jets
	head before jetting.	Almost any print	‘waxy’ feel	1989 Nowak
	Hot melt inks are	medium can be used	Printed pages	U.S. Pat. No.
	usually wax based,	No paper cockle	may ‘block’	4,820,346
	with a melting point	occurs	Ink temperature	All IJ series ink
	around 80° C. After	No wicking	may be above the	jets
	jetting the ink freezes	occurs	curie point of
	almost instantly upon	No bleed occurs	permanent magnets
	contacting the print	No strikethrough	Ink heaters
	medium or a transfer	occurs	consume power
	roller.		Long warm-up
			time
Oil	Oil based inks are	High solubility	High viscosity:	All IJ series ink
	extensively used in	medium for some	this is a significant	jets
	offset printing. They	dyes	limitation for use in
	have advantages in	Does not cockle	ink jets, which
	improved	paper	usually require a
	characteristics on	Does not wick	low viscosity. Some
	paper (especially no	through paper	short chain and
	wicking or cockle).		multi-branched oils
	Oil soluble dies and		have a sufficiently
	pigments are required.		low viscosity.
			Slow drying
Micro-	A microemulsion is a	Stops ink bleed	Viscosity higher	All IJ series ink
emulsion	stable, self forming	High dye	than water	jets
	emulsion of oil, water,	solubility	Cost is slightly
	and surfactant. The	Water, oil, and	higher than water
	characteristic drop size	amphiphilic soluble	based ink
	is less than 100 nm,	dies can be used	High surfactant
	and is determined by	Can stabilize	concentration
	the preferred curvature	pigment	required (around
	of the surfactant.	suspensions	5%)

Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PO8066	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,227,652
		and Apparatus (IJ01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8072	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,213,588
		and Apparatus (IJ02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8040	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,213,589
		and Apparatus (IJ03)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8071	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,231,163
		and Apparatus (IJ04)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8047	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,795
		and Apparatus (IJ05)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8035	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,394,581
		and Apparatus (IJ06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8044	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,244,691
		and Apparatus (IJ07)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8063	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,257,704
		and Apparatus (IJ08)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8057	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,416,168
		and Apparatus (IJ09)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8056	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,220,694
		and Apparatus (IJ10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8069	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,257,705
		and Apparatus (IJ11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8049	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,794
		and Apparatus (IJ12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8036	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,234,610
		and Apparatus (IJ13)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8048	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,793
		and Apparatus (IJ14)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8070	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,264,306
		and Apparatus (IJ15)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8067	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,241,342
		and Apparatus (IJ16)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8001	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,792
		and Apparatus (IJ17)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8038	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,264,307
		and Apparatus (IJ18)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8033	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,254,220
		and Apparatus (IJ19)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8002	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,234,611
		and Apparatus (IJ20)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8068	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,302,528
		and Apparatus (IJ21)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8062	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,283,582
		and Apparatus (IJ22)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8034	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,239,821
		and Apparatus (IJ23)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8039	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,338,547
		and Apparatus (IJ24)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8041	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,796
		and Apparatus (IJ25)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8004	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	09/113,122
		and Apparatus (IJ26)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8037	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,390,603
		and Apparatus (IJ27)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8043	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,362,843
		and Apparatus (IJ28)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8042	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,293,653
		and Apparatus (IJ29)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8064	15 Jul. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,312,107
		and Apparatus (IJ30)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9389	23 Sep. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,227,653
		and Apparatus (IJ31)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9391	23 Sep. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,234,609
		and Apparatus (IJ32)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0888	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,238,040
		and Apparatus (IJ33)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0891	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,188,415
		and Apparatus (IJ34)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,227,654
		and Apparatus (IJ35)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0873	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,209,989
		and Apparatus (IJ36)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0993	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,247,791
		and Apparatus (IJ37)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,336,710
		and Apparatus (IJ38)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1398	19 Jan. 1998	An Image Creation Method	6,217,153
		and Apparatus (IJ39)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2592	25 Mar. 1998	An Image Creation Method	6,416,167
		and Apparatus (IJ40)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2593	25 Mar. 1998	Image Creation Method	6,243,113
		and Apparatus (IJ41)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3991	9 Jun. 1998	Image Creation Method	6,283,581
		and Apparatus (IJ42)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3987	9 Jun. 1998	Image Creation Method	6,247,790
		and Apparatus (IJ43)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3985	9 Jun. 1998	Image Creation Method	6,260,953
		and Apparatus (IJ44)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3983	9 Jun. 1998	Image Creation Method	6,267,469
		and Apparatus (IJ45)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PO7935	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,224,780
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM01)
PO7936	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,235,212
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM02)
PO7937	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,280,643
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM03)
PO8061	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,284,147
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM04)
PO8054	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,214,244
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM05)
PO8065	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,071,750
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM06)
PO8055	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,267,905
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM07)
PO8053	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,251,298
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM08)
PO8078	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,258,285
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM09)
PO7933	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,225,138
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM10)
PO7950	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,241,904
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM11)
PO7949	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,299,786
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM12)
PO8060	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	09/113,124
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM13)
PO8059	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,231,773
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM14)
PO8073	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,190,931
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM15)
PO8076	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,248,249
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM16)
PO8075	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,290,862
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM17)
PO8079	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,241,906
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM18)
PO8050	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	09/113,116
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM19)
PO8052	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,241,905
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM20)
PO7948	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,451,216
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM21)
PO7951	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,231,772
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM22)
PO8074	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,274,056
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM23)
PO7941	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,290,861
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM24)
PO8077	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,248,248
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM25)
PO8058	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,306,671
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM26)
PO8051	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,331,258
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM27)
PO8045	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,110,754
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM28)
PO7952	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,294,101
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM29)
PO8046	15 Jul. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,416,679
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM30)
PO8503	11 Aug. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,264,849
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM30a)
PO9390	23 Sep. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,254,793
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM31)
PO9392	23 Sep. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,235,211
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM32)
PP0889	12 Dec. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,235,211
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM35)
PP0887	12 Dec. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,264,850
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM36)
PP0882	12 Dec. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,258,284
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM37)
PP0874	12 Dec. 1997	A Method of Manufacture	6,258,284
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM38)
PP1396	19 Jan. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,228,668
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM39)
PP2591	25 Mar. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,180,427
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM41)
PP3989	9 Jun. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,171,875
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM40)
PP3990	9 Jun. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,267,904
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM42)
PP3986	9 Jun. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,245,247
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM43)
PP3984	9 Jun. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,245,247
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM44)
PP3982	9 Jun. 1998	A Method of Manufacture	6,231,148
		of an Image	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Creation Apparatus (IJM45)

Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PO8003	15 Jul. 1997	Supply Method	6,350,023
		and Apparatus (F1)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8005	15 Jul. 1997	Supply Method	6,318,849
		and Apparatus (F2)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9404	23 Sep. 1997	A Device and	09/113,101
		Method (F3)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PO7943	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS01)
PO8006	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS02)	6,087,638
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8007	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS03)	09/113,093
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8008	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS04)	6,340,222
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8010	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS05)	6,041,600
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8011	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS06)	6,299,300
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7947	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS07)	6,067,797
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7945	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS08)	09/113,081
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7944	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS09)	6,286,935
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7946	15 Jul. 1997	A device (MEMS10)	6,044,646
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9393	23 Sep. 1997	A Device and Method	09/113,065
		(MEMS11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0875	12 Dec. 1997	A Device (MEMS12)	09/113,078
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0894	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method	09/113,075
		(MEMS13)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PP0895	12 Dec. 1997	An Image Creation Method	6,231,148
		and Apparatus (IR01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0870	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR02)	09/113,106
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0869	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR04)	6,293,658
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0887	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	09/113,104
		and Apparatus (IR05)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0885	12 Dec. 1997	An Image Production	6,238,033
		System (IR06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0884	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,312,070
		and Apparatus (IR10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0886	12 Dec. 1997	Image Creation Method	6,238,111
		and Apparatus (IR12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0871	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR13)	09/113,086
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0876	12 Dec. 1997	An Image Processing Method	09/113,094
		and Apparatus (IR14)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0877	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR16)	6,378,970
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0878	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR17)	6,196,739
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0879	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR18)	09/112,774
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0883	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR19)	6,270,182
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0880	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR20)	6,152,619
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0881	12 Dec. 1997	A Device and Method (IR21)	09/113,092
			(Jul. 10, 1998)

DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PP2370	16 Mar. 1998	Data Processing	09/112,781
		Method and	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Apparatus (Dot01)
PP2371	16 Mar. 1998	Data Processing	09/113,052
		Method and	(Jul. 10, 1998)
		Apparatus (Dot02)

Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra-			US Patent/
lian			Patent
Provi-			Application
sional			and Filing
Number	Filing Date	Title	Date
PO7991	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/113,060
		and Apparatus (ART01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7988	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,476,863
		and Apparatus (ART02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7993	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/113,073
		and Apparatus (ART03)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9395	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,322,181
		and Apparatus (ART04)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8017	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,747
		and Apparatus (ART06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8014	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART07)	6,227,648
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8025	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,750
		and Apparatus (ART08)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8032	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,746
		and Apparatus (ART09)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7999	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,743
		and Apparatus (ART10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7998	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,742
		and Apparatus (ART11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8031	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,741
		and Apparatus (ART12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8030	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART13)	6,196,541
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7997	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART15)	6,195,150
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7979	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART16)	6,362,868
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8015	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART17)	09/112,738
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7978	15 Jul. 1997	Media Device (ART18)	09/113,067
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7982	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,431,669
		and Apparatus (ART19)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7989	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,362,869
		and Apparatus (ART20)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8019	15 Jul. 1997	Media Processing Method	6,472,052
		and Apparatus (ART21)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7980	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,356,715
		and Apparatus (ART22)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8018	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,777
		and Apparatus (ART24)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7938	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/113,224
		and Apparatus (ART25)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8016	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,366,693
		and Apparatus (ART26)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8024	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,329,990
		and Apparatus (ART27)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7940	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,072
		and Apparatus (ART28)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7939	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/112,785
		and Apparatus (ART29)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8501	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,137,500
		and Apparatus (ART30)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8500	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,796
		and Apparatus (ART31)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7987	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,071
		and Apparatus (ART32)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8022	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,398,328
		and Apparatus (ART33)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8497	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/113,090
		and Apparatus (ART34)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8020	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,431,704
		and Apparatus (ART38)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8023	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,222
		and Apparatus (ART39)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8504	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,786
		and Apparatus (ART42)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8000	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,415,054
		and Apparatus (ART43)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7977	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/112,782
		and Apparatus (ART44)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7934	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,056
		and Apparatus (ART45)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7990	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,059
		and Apparatus (ART46)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8499	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,486,886
		and Apparatus (ART47)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8502	11 Aug. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,381,361
		and Apparatus (ART48)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7981	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,317,192
		and Apparatus (ART50)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7986	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,057
		and Apparatus (ART51)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7983	15 Jul. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,054
		and Apparatus (ART52)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8026	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,752
		and Apparatus (ART53)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8027	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,759
		and Apparatus (ART54)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8028	15 Jul. 1997	Image Processing Method	09/112,757
		and Apparatus (ART56)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9394	23 Sep. 1997	Image Processing Method	6,357,135
		and Apparatus (ART57)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9396	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/113,107
		and Apparatus (ART58)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9397	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,271,931
		and Apparatus (ART59)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9398	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,353,772
		and Apparatus (ART60)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9399	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,106,147
		and Apparatus (ART61)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9400	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/112,790
		and Apparatus (ART62)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9401	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,304,291
		and Apparatus (ART63)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9402	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	09/112,788
		and Apparatus (ART64)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9403	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,305,770
		and Apparatus (ART65)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9405	23 Sep. 1997	Data Processing Method	6,289,262
		and Apparatus (ART66)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0959	16 Dec. 1997	A Data Processing Method	6,315,200
		and Apparatus (ART68)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1397	19 Jan. 1998	A Media Device (ART69)	6,217,165
			(Jul. 10, 1998)