Lexmark International, Inc.

Nicole Marie Rodriguez

John Glenn Edelen

Jason K Young

An inkjet printhead chip includes electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits to protect the chip during ESD events, including one preventing a thin dielectric layer on a substrate from breakdown. In one embodiment, the chip includes an ESD circuit essentially dedicated per each actuator. In another, ESD circuits alternate connection between power and ground. In still another, actuators are approximately equidistantly spaced regarding respective ESD circuits. Exemplary ESD circuits include a ballast resistor in series with a diode. In turn, diodes are either forward biased toward power or away from ground. In a thermal inkjet embodiment, a cavitation layer above a resistor and dielectric layer have pluralities of fingers connecting the cavitation layer to a metal buss. The metal buss attaches to the ballast resistors. Protection typically embodies the safe distribution of ESD current to ground during both chip manufacture and user printhead installation. Inkjet printheads and printers are also disclosed.

Actuator chip for inkjet printhead with electrostatic discharge protection

A method and circuit for preventing the overprogramming of a memory cell. A fuse circuit is operable to be blown. A combinational logic circuit receives a signal from the fuse circuit, indicating whether or not the fuse has been blown, and controls the programming of the memory cell. The programming of the memory cell is prevented if the fuse circuit has been blown.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Nicole Marie Rodriguez