The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 09, 1999
Wen-Li Su, Vancouver, WA (US);
Trudy L. Benjamin, Portland, OR (US);
Steven B. Elgee, Portland, OR (US);
Thomas F. Uhling, Vancouever, WA (US);
Bruce A. Axten, Vancouver, WA (US);
Kerry J. Lundsten, Vancouver, WA (US);
Xiuting C. Man, Vancouver, WA (US);
Tamara L. Hahn, San Diego, CA (US);
Michael T. Dangelo, San Diego, CA (US);
Bryan D. Woll, Poway, CA (US);
Timothy L. Weber, Corvallis, OR (US);
James W Pearson, Corvallis, OR (US);
Iue-Shuenn Chen, San Diego, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A monitoring system monitors a pressure wave developed in the surrounding ambient environment during inkjet droplet formation. The monitoring system uses either acoustic, ultrasonic, or other pressure wave monitoring mechanisms, such as a laser vibrometer, an ultrasonic transducer, or an accelerometer sensor, for instance, a microphone to detect droplet formation. One sensor is incorporated in the printhead itself, while others may be located externally. The monitoring system generates information used to determine current levels of printhead performance, to which the printer may respond by adjusting print modes, servicing the printhead, adjusting droplet formation, or by providing an early warning before an inkjet cartridge is completely empty. During printhead manufacturing, an array of such sensors may be used in quality assurance to determine printhead performance. An inkjet printing mechanism is also equipped for using this monitoring system, and a monitoring method is also provided.