US20040145662A1

US20040145662A1 - Camera with text-based image manipulation

Info

Publication number: US20040145662A1
Application number: US10/753,458
Authority: US
Inventors: Kia Silverbrook
Original assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-07-15
Filing date: 2004-01-09
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Also published as: US20040032514A1; US7633535B2; AUPO850097A0; US6690416B1

Abstract

A convenient form of text editing in a camera device utilizing complex character sets is disclosed. The device includes a digital camera device able to sense an image; a manipulation data entry card adapted to be inserted into the digital camera device and to provide manipulation instructions for manipulating the image, including the addition of text to the image; a text entry device for the entry of the text which includes a series of non-roman font characters utilised by the digital camera device in conjunction with the manipulation instructions so as to create new text characters for addition to the image. The font characters are transmitted to the digital camera device when required and rendered by the camera in accordance with the manipulation instructions. The non-roman characters can include at least one of Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Kanji, or Chinese characters.

Description

This application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 09/112,796 filed Jul. 10, 1999.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital image processing and in particular discloses Image Production Utilising Text Editing Including Complex Character Sets.

Further the present invention relates to the creation of digital images and in particular, discloses a method of editing text where the text may comprise complex character sets such as non-roman character sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a new form of camera system has been proposed by the present applicant. The camera system, hereinafter known as “Artcam” includes a means for the printing out of a sensed image on demand. The system proposed further provides for the manipulation of the sensed image by an onboard processor. The manipulation user interface can comprise the insertion of various “Artcards” into the camera device so as to provide for a form of manipulation of the sensed image.

A number of the image manipulations performed include for the insertion or provision of text with the image. Suitable fonts are then stored within the artcam device or on the artcard and the fonts are then utilised for insertion of text characters into an image, the insertion being through the utilisation of a separate keyboard attached to the Artcam device.

A great deal of the world's population does not utilised roman character fonts in written text. Other languages such as Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Kanji etc utilise their own character fonts. Unfortunately, the storage of each of these fonts on an Artcard is not possible especially where each character of a font is to be stored in the form of a complex image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a convenient form of text editing in a camera device for complex character sets.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for text editing an image comprising a digital camera device able to sense an image; a manipulation data entry card adapted to be inserted into said digital camera device and to provide manipulation instructions to said digital camera device for manipulating said image, said manipulation instructions including the addition of text to said image; a text entry device connected to said digital camera device for the entry of said text for addition to said image wherein said text entry device includes a series of non-roman font characters utilised by said digital camera device in conjunction with said manipulation instructions so as to create new text characters for addition to said image.

Preferably, the font characters are transmitted to said digital camera device when required and rendered by said apparatus in accordance with said manipulation instructions so as to create said new text characters. The manipulation data entry card can include a rendered roman font character set and the non-roman characters include at least one of Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Kanji, or Chinese characters.

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 in which: [0010]
FIG. 1 illustrates a first arrangement of the preferred embodiment; and [0011]
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of the operation of the preferred embodiment.[0012]

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 Australian Provisional Patent Application No. P07991 filed Jul. 15, 1997 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01)”, in addition to Australian Provisional Patent Application entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01a)” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference. [0013]
The aforementioned patent specifications disclose a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an internal 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. [0014]
Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated [0015] 1, the arrangement of the preferred embodiment which includes an Artcam device 2, being interconnected to a text input device 3 which can comprise a touch pad LCD with appropriate character recognition. Alternatively, the text input device can comprise a keyboard entry device eg. 4. A suitable form of text input device 3 can comprise an Apple Newton (Trade Mark) device suitably adapted and programmed so as to interconnect with the Artcam device 2. Alternatively, other forms of text input device 3 can be utilised. Further, the Artcard device 5 is provided for insertion in the Artcam 2 so as to manipulate the sensed image in accordance with the schema as illustrated on the surface of the Artcard, the manipulations being more fully discussed in the aforementioned patent specifications.
Turning now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the preferred form of operation of the preferred embodiment. In this form of operation, the Artcard [0016] 5 is encoded with a Vark script which includes a font as defined for a roman character set and a description of how to create extra characters in this font. The description can comprise, for example, how to manipulate an outlined path so as to create new characters within the font.
The [0017] input device 3, 4 includes input device fonts stored therein. The input device fonts can be utilised for the display of information by the text input devices 3, 4, particularly in non roman character sets. Hence, the input devices 3, 4 can be utilised for the entry of text fields as required by the Artcard 5. Upon entry, the outline of the font is downloaded to Artcam unit 2 which is responsible for processing the outline in accordance with the instructions encoded on Artcard 5 for the creation of extra characters. The characters are therefore created by Artcam device 2 and rendered as part of the output image which is subsequently printed to form output image 6.
Utilising this method of operation, the flexibility of the [0018] Artcam device 2 is substantially extended without requiring the Artcam device 2 or Artcard device 5 to store each possible arrangement of fonts in each possible language. In this way, it is only necessary for the text input devices eg. 3, 4 to be country specific which substantially reduces the complexity of models which must be made available for operation of the Artcam device 2 in a non-roman character language format.
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. [0019]
Ink Jet Technologies [0020]
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. [0021]
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. [0022]
The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet 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 pagewidth print heads with 19,200 nozzles. [0023]
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: [0024]
low power (less than 10 Watts) [0025]
high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more) [0026]
photographic quality output [0027]
low manufacturing cost [0028]
small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section) [0029]
high speed (<2 seconds per page). [0030]
All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-five 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. [0031]
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. [0032]
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. [0033]
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. [0034]

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

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



Docket No.	Reference	Title

IJ01US	IJ01	Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer
IJ02US	IJ02	Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer
IJ03US	IJ03	Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet
IJ04US	IJ04	Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer
IJ05US	IJ05	Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer
IJ06US	IJ06	Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer
IJ07US	IJ07	Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer
IJ08US	IJ08	Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer
IJ09US	IJ09	Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer
IJ10US	IJ10	Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer
IJ11US	IJ11	Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer
IJ12US	IJ12	Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer
IJ13US	IJ13	Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer
IJ14US	IJ14	Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer
IJ15US	IJ15	Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer
IJ16US	IJ16	Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer
IJ17US	IJ17	PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer
IJ18US	IJ18	Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer
IJ19US	IJ19	Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer
IJ20US	IJ20	Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer
IJ21US	IJ21	Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer
IJ22US	IJ22	Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer
IJ23US	IJ23	Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer
IJ24US	IJ24	Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer
IJ25US	IJ25	Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer
IJ26US	IJ26	Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer
IJ27US	IJ27	Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer
IJ28US	IJ28	Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer
IJ29US	IJ29	Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer
IJ30US	IJ30	Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer
IJ31US	IJ31	Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer
IJ32US	IJ32	A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer
IJ33US	IJ33	Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer
IJ34US	IJ34	Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring
IJ35US	IJ35	Trough Container Ink Jet Printer
IJ36US	IJ36	Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet
IJ37US	IJ37	Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet
IJ38US	IJ38	Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet
IJ39US	IJ39	A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device
IJ40US	IJ40	A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units
IJ41US	IJ41	A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element
IJ42US	IJ42	Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet
IJ43US	IJ43	Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet
IJ44US	IJ44	Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer
IJ45US	IJ45	Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets [0036]
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. [0037]
The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types. [0038]
Actuator mechanism (18 types) [0039]
Basic operation mode (7 types) [0040]
Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) [0041]
Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types) [0042]
Actuator motion (19 types) [0043]
Nozzle refill method (4 types) [0044]
Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types) [0045]
Nozzle clearing method (9 types) [0046]
Nozzle plate construction (9 types) [0047]
Drop ejection direction (5 types) [0048]
Ink type (7 types) [0049]
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. [0050]
Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these forty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into ink jet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available ink jet technology. [0051]
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 print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry. [0052]
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. [0053]

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



Actuator
Mechanism	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Operational
mode	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Auxiliary
Mechanism	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Actuator
amplification	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



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	perpendicular motion	IJ11, IJ14
	nozzle is typically in the	surface
	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 USP
	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	USP 3,946,398
	to differential thermal	converted to a large	distinct layers, or to have	1973 Stemme USP
	expansion, piezoelectric	motion.	a thermal difference across	3,747,120
	expansion,		the 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
		ambient temperature	single 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	USP 4,584,590
	the actuator material.	piezoelectric
		actuators
Radial	The actuator squeezes an	Relatively easy to	High force required	1970 Zoltan USP
constriction	ink reservoir, forcing ink	fabricate single	Inefficient	3,683,212
	from a constricted nozzle.	nozzles from glass	Difficult to integrate with
		tubing as	VLSI processes
		macroscopic
		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	non-planar devices	IJ34, IJ35
	motion of the free end of	process	Poor out-of-plane stiffness
	the actuator ejects the	Small area required,
	ink.	therefore low cost
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-	the ink
	pushes it.	of-plane rigidity
Curl inwards	A set of actuators curl	Good fluid flow to	Design complexity	IJ20, IJ42
	inwards to reduce the	the region behind
	volume of ink that they	the actuator
	enclose.	increases 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	et al, EUP
		from the ink	useful 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	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-
	return sucks in air through		Long refill time usually	IJ14 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, 1J13,
oscillating	is provided at a pressure	Low actuator energy,	oscillator	IJ15, 1J17
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	prevented	0771 658 A2 and
	the ink drop is ejected,	drop repetition rate	Highly hydrophobic print head	related patent
	the nozzle chamber fills	is possible	surfaces are required	applications
	quickly as surface tension			Alternative for:
	and ink pressure both			IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-
	operate to refill the			IJ14 IJ16, IJ20,
	nozzle.			IJ22-IJ45



Inlet back-
flow
restriction
method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

Long inlet	The ink inlet channel to	Design simplicity	Restricts refill rate	Thermal inkjet
channel	the nozzle chamber is made	Operational	May result in a relatively	Piezoelectric
	long and relatively narrow,	simplicity	large chip area	inkjet
	relying on viscous drag to	Reduces crosstalk	Only partially effective	IJ42, IJ43
	reduce inlet back-flow.
Positive ink	The ink is under a positive	Drop selection and	Requires a method (such as a	Silverbrook, EP
pressure	pressure, so that in the	separation forces	nozzle rim or effective	0771 658 A2 and
	quiescent state some of the	can be reduced	hydrophobizing, or both) to	related patent
	ink drop already protrudes	Fast refill time	prevent flooding of the	applications
	from the nozzle.		ejection surface of the	Possible
	This reduces the pressure		print head.	operation of
	in the nozzle chamber which			the following:
	is required to eject a			IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-
	certain volume of ink. The			IJ12 IJ14, IJ16,
	reduction in chamber			IJ20, IJ22,
	pressure results in a			IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-
	reduction in ink pushed out			IJ41 IJ44
	through the inlet.
Baffle	One or more baffles are	The refill rate is	Design complexity	HP Thermal Ink
	placed in the inlet ink	not as restricted as	May increase fabrication	Jet
	flow. When the actuator is	the long inlet	complexity (e.g. Tektronix	Tektronix
	energized, the rapid ink	method.	hot melt Piezoelectric print	piezoelectric
	movement creates eddies	Reduces crosstalk	heads).	ink jet
	which restrict the flow
	through the inlet. The
	slower refill process is
	unrestricted, and does not
	result in eddies.
Flexible flap	In this method recently	Significantly reduces	Not applicable to most inkjet	Canon
restricts	disclosed by Canon, the	back-flow for edge-	configurations
inlet	expanding actuator (bubble)	shooter thermal ink	Increased fabrication
	pushes on a flexible flap	jet devices	complexity
	that restricts the inlet.		Inelastic deformation of
			polymer flap results in
			creep over extended use
Inlet filter	A filter is located between	Additional advantage	Restricts refill rate	IJ04, IJ12,
	the ink inlet and the	of ink filtration	May result in complex	IJ24, IJ27
	nozzle chamber. The filter	Ink filter may be	construction	IJ29, IJ30
	has a multitude of small	fabricated with no
	holes or slots, restricting	additional process
	ink flow. The filter also	steps
	removes particles which may
	block the nozzle.
Small inlet	The ink inlet channel to	Design simplicity	Restricts refill rate	IJ02, IJ37, IJ44
compared to	the nozzle chamber has a		May result in a relatively
nozzle	substantially smaller cross		large chip area
	section than that of the		Only partially effective
	nozzle , resulting in
	easier ink egress out of
	the nozzle than out of the
	inlet.
Inlet shutter	A secondary actuator	Increases speed of	Requires separate refill	IJ09
	controls the position of a	the ink-jet print	actuator and drive circuit
	shutter, closing off the	head operation
	ink inlet when the main
	actuator is energized.
The inlet is	The method avoids the	Back-flow problem is	Requires careful design to	IJ01, IJ03,
located	problem of inlet back-flow	eliminated	minimize the negative	1J05, 1J06
behind the	by arranging the ink-		pressure behind the paddle	IJ07, IJ10,
ink-pushing	pushing surface of the			IJ11, IJ14
surface	actuator between the inlet			IJ16, IJ22,
	and the nozzle.			IJ23, IJ25
				IJ28, IJ31,
				IJ32, IJ33
				IJ34, IJ35,
				IJ36, IJ39
				IJ40, IJ41
Part of the	The actuator and a wall of	Significant	Small increase in fabrication	IJ07, IJ20,
actuator	the ink chamber are	reductions in back-	complexity	IJ26, IJ38
moves to shut	arranged so that the motion	flow can be achieved
off the inlet	of the actuator closes off	Compact designs
	the inlet.	possible
Nozzle	In some configurations of	Ink back-flow problem	None related to ink back-flow	Silverbrook, EP
actuator does	ink jet, there is no	is eliminated	on actuation	0771 658 A2 and
not result in	expansion or movement of an			related patent
ink back-flow	actuator which may cause			applications
	ink back-flow through the			Valve-jet
	inlet.			Tone-jet
				IJ08, IJ13,
				IJ15, IJ17
				IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



Nozzle
Clearing
method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Nozzle plate
construction	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Ejection
direction	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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



Ink type	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Examples

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

Ink Jet Printing [0065]

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.



			US Patent/
			Patent
Australian			Application
Provisional			and
Number	Filing Date	Title	Filing Date

PO8066	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,227,652
		Apparatus (IJ01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8072	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,213,588
		Apparatus (IJ02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8040	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,213,589
		Apparatus (IJ03)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8071	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,231,163
		Apparatus (IJ04)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8047	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,795
		Apparatus (IJ05)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8035	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,394,581
		Apparatus (IJ06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8044	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,244,691
		Apparatus (IJ07)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8063	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,257,704
		Apparatus (IJ08)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8057	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,416,168
		Apparatus (IJ09)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8056	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,220,694
		Apparatus (IJ10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8069	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,257,705
		Apparatus (IJ11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8049	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,794
		Apparatus (IJ12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8036	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,234,610
		Apparatus (IJ13)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8048	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,793
		Apparatus (IJ14)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8070	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,264,306
		Apparatus (IJ15)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8067	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,241,342
		Apparatus (IJ16)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8001	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,792
		Apparatus (IJ17)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8038	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,264,307
		Apparatus (IJ18)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8033	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,254,220
		Apparatus (IJ19)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8002	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,234,611
		Apparatus (IJ20)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8068	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,302,528)
		Apparatus (IJ21)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8062	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,283,582
		Apparatus (IJ22)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8034	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,239,821
		Apparatus (IJ23)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8039	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,338,547
		Apparatus (IJ24)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8041	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,796
		Apparatus (IJ25)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8004	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	09/113,122
		Apparatus (IJ26)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8037	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,390,603
		Apparatus (IJ27)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8043	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,362,843
		Apparatus (IJ28)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8042	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,293,653
		Apparatus (IJ29)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8064	15-Jul-97	Image Creation Method and	6,312,107
		Apparatus (IJ30)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9389	23-Sep-97	Image Creation Method and	6,227,653
		Apparatus (IJ31)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9391	23-Sep-97	Image Creation Method and	6,234,609
		Apparatus (IJ32)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0888	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,238,040
		Apparatus (IJ33)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0891	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,188,415
		Apparatus (IJ34)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,227,654
		Apparatus (IJ35)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0873	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,209,989
		Apparatus (IJ36)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0993	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,247,791
		Apparatus (IJ37)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,336,710
		Apparatus (IJ38)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1398	19-Jan-98	An Image Creation Method	6,217,153
		and Apparatus (IJ39)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2592	25-Mar-98	An Image Creation Method	6,416,167
		and Apparatus (IJ40)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2593	25-Mar-98	Image Creation Method and	6,243,113
		Apparatus (IJ41)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3991	9-Jun-98	Image Creation Method and	6,283,581
		Apparatus (IJ42)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3987	9-Jun-98	Image Creation Method and	6,247,790
		Apparatus (IJ43)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3985	9-Jun-98	Image Creation Method and	6,260,953
		Apparatus (IJ44)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3983	9-Jun-98	Image Creation Method and	6,267,469
		Apparatus (IJ45)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

Ink Jet Manufacturing [0067]

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



Australian			US Patent/Patent
Provisional			Application and
Number	Filing Date	Title	Filing Date

PO7935	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,224,780
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7936	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,235,212
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7937	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,280,643
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM03)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8061	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,284,147
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM04)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8054	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,214,244
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM05)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8065	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,071,750
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8055	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,267,905
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM07)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8053	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,251,298
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM08)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8078	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,258,285
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM09)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7933	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,225,138
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7950	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,241,904
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7949	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,299,786
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8060	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	09/113,124
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM13)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8059	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,231,773
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM14)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8073	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,190,931
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM15)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8076	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,248,249
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM16)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8075	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,290,862
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM17)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8079	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,241,906
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM18)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8050	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	09/113,116
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM19)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8052	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,241,905
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM20)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7948	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,451,216
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM21)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7951	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,231,772
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM22)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8074	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,274,056
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM23)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7941	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,290,861
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM24)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8077	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,248,248
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM25)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8058	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,306,671
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM26)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8051	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,331,258
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM27)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8045	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,110,754
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM28)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7952	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,294,101
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM29)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8046	15-Jul-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,416,679
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM30)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8503	11-Aug-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,264,849
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM30a)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9390	23-Sep-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,254,793
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM31)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9392	23-Sep-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,235,211
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM32)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0889	12-Dec-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,235,211
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM35)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0887	12-Dec-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,264,850
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM36)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0882	12-Dec-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,258,284
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM37)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0874	12-Dec-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,258,284
	97	Creation Apparatus (IJM38)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1396	19-Jan-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,228,668
	98	Creation Apparatus (IJM39)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2591	25-Mar-	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,180,427
	98	Creation Apparatus (IJM41)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3989	9-Jun-98	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,171,875
		Creation Apparatus (IJM40)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3990	9-Jun-98	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,267,904
		Creation Apparatus (IJM42)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3986	9-Jun-98	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,245,247
		Creation Apparatus (IJM43)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3984	9-Jun-98	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,245,247
		Creation Apparatus (IJM44)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3982	9-Jun-98	A Method of Manufacture of an Image	6,231,148
		Creation Apparatus (IJM45)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

Fluid Supply [0069]

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.



			US Patent/
			Patent
Australian			Application
Provisional	Filing		and
Number	Date	Title	Filing Date

PO8003	15-Jul-97	Supply Method and Apparatus	6,350,023
		(F1)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8005	15-Jul-97	Supply Method and Apparatus	6,318,849
		(F2)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9404	23-Sep-97	A Device and Method (F3)	09/113,101
			(Jul. 10, 1998)

MEMS Technology [0071]

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



Australian			US Patent/Patent
Provisional			Application
Number	Filing Date	Title	and Filing Date

PO7943	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS01)
PO8006	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS02)	6,087,638
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8007	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS03)	09/113,093
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8008	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS04)	6,340,222
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8010	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS05)	6,041,600
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8011	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS06)	6,299,300
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7947	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS07)	6,067,797
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7945	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS08)	09/113,081
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7944	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS09)	6,286,935
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7946	15-Jul-97	A device (MEMS10)	6,044,646
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9393	23-Sep-97	A Device and Method	09/113,065
		(MEMS11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0875	12-Dec-97	A Device (MEMS12)	09/113,078
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0894	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method	09/113,075
		(MEMS13)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

IR Technologies [0073]

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.



			U.S. Patent/
			Patent
Australian			Application
Provisional	Filing		and
Number	Date	Title	Filing Date

PP0895	12-Dec-97	An Image Creation Method	6,231,148
		and Apparatus (IR01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0870	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR02)	09/113,106
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0869	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR04)	6,293,658
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0887	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	09/113,104
		Apparatus (IR05)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0885	12-Dec-97	An Image Production System	6,238,033
		(IR06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0884	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,312,070
		Apparatus (IR10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0886	12-Dec-97	Image Creation Method and	6,238,111
		Apparatus (IR12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0871	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR13)	09/113,086
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0876	12-Dec-97	An Image Processing Method	09/113,094
		and Apparatus (IR14)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0877	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR16)	6,378,970
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0878	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR17)	6,196,739
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0879	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR18)	09/112,774
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0883	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR19)	6,270,182
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0880	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR20)	6,152,619
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0881	12-Dec-97	A Device and Method (IR21)	09/113,092
			(Jul. 10, 1998)

DotCard Technologies [0075]

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.



			U.S. Patent/
			Patent
Australian			Application
Provisional	Filing		and
Number	Date	Title	Filing Date

PP2370	16-Mar-98	Data Processing Method and	09/112,781
		Apparatus (Dot01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2371	16-Mar-98	Data Processing Method and	09/113,052
		Apparatus (Dot02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)

Artcam Technologies [0077]

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.



			U.S. Patent/
			Patent
Australian			Application
Provisional	Filing		and
Number	Date	Title	Filing Date

PO7991	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/113,060
		Apparatus (ART01)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7988	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	6,476,863
		Apparatus (ART02)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7993	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/113,073
		Apparatus (ART03)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9395	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,322,181
		Apparatus (ART04)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8017	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,747
		Apparatus (ART06)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8014	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART07)	6,227,648
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8025	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,750
		Apparatus (ART08)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8032	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,746
		Apparatus (ART09)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7999	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,743
		Apparatus (ART10)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7998	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,742
		Apparatus (ART11)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8031	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,741
		Apparatus (ART12)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8030	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART13)	6,196,541
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7997	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART15)	6,195,150
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7979	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART16)	6,362,868
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8015	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART17)	09/112,738
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7978	15-Jul-97	Media Device (ART18)	09/113,067
			(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7982	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	6,431,669
		Apparatus (ART19)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7989	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	6,362,869
		Apparatus (ART20)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8019	15-Jul-97	Media Processing Method and	6,472,052
		Apparatus (ART21)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7980	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	6,356,715
		Apparatus (ART22)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8018	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,777
		Apparatus (ART24)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7938	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/113,224
		Apparatus (ART25)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8016	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	6,366,693
		Apparatus (ART26)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8024	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	6,329,990
		Apparatus (ART27)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7940	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,072
		Apparatus (ART28)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7939	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/112,785
		Apparatus (ART29)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8501	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	6,137,500
		Apparatus (ART30)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8500	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,796
		Apparatus (ART31)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7987	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,071
		Apparatus (ART32)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8022	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	6,398,328
		Apparatus (ART33)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8497	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	09/113,090
		Apparatus (ART34)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8020	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	6,431,704
		Apparatus (ART38)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8023	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,222
		Apparatus (ART39)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8504	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,786
		Apparatus (ART42)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8000	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	6,415,054
		Apparatus (ART43)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7977	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/112,782
		Apparatus (ART44)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7934	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,056
		Apparatus (ART45)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7990	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,059
		Apparatus (ART46)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8499	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	6,486,886
		Apparatus (ART47)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8502	11-Aug-97	Image Processing Method and	6,381,361
		Apparatus (ART48)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7981	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	6,317,192
		Apparatus (ART50)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7986	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,057
		Apparatus (ART51)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7983	15-Jul-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,054
		Apparatus (ART52)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8026	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,752
		Apparatus (ART53)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8027	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,759
		Apparatus (ART54)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8028	15-Jul-97	Image Processing Method and	09/112,757
		Apparatus (ART56)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9394	23-Sep-97	Image Processing Method and	6,357,135
		Apparatus (ART57)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9396	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	09/113,107
		Apparatus (ART58)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9397	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,271,931
		Apparatus (ART59)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9398	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,353,772
		Apparatus (ART60)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9399	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,106,147
		Apparatus (ART61)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9400	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	09/112,790
		Apparatus (ART62)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9401	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,304,291
		Apparatus (ART63)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9402	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	09/112,788
		Apparatus (ART64)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9403	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,305,770
		Apparatus (ART65)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9405	23-Sep-97	Data Processing Method and	6,289,262
		Apparatus (ART66)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0959	16-Dec-97	A Data Processing Method	6,315,200
		and Apparatus (ART68)	(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1397	19-Jan-98	A Media Device (ART69)	6,217,165
			(Jul. 10, 1998)

Claims

We claim:

1. An apparatus for text editing an image comprising:

a digital camera device able to sense an image;

a manipulation data entry card adapted to be inserted into said digital camera device and to provide manipulation instructions to said digital camera device for manipulating said image, said manipulation instructions including the addition of text to said image; and

a text entry device connected to said digital camera device for the entry of said text for addition to said image wherein said text entry device includes a series of non-roman font characters utilised by said digital camera device in conjunction with said manipulation instructions so as to create new text characters for addition to said image;

2. An apparatus as claimed claim 1 wherein the font characters are transmitted to said digital camera device when required and rendered by said apparatus in accordance with said manipulation instructions so as to create said new text characters.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said manipulation data entry card includes a rendered roman font character set.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-roman characters include at least one of Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Kanji or Chinese characters.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said series of non-roman character fonts include path outlines for each font character.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said series of non-roman character fonts include path outlines for each font character.