Author: claimsbot

1. A method of forming a memory element, comprising:
inkjet printing conductive material to form a fuse element, wherein the inkjet printing operation comprises:
inkjet printing conductive material at a first dimension to form a main portion;
inkjet printing conductive material at a second dimension to form a weak portion, the second dimension being less than the first dimension;
wherein the first and second dimensions are configured such that application of a predetermined current through the main portion and weak portion will cause the weak portion to become discontinuous while the main portion remains continuous upon application of the predetermined current.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
ink jet printing a second main portion having a third dimension greater than the second dimension; and
inkjet printing a dielectric layer over the weak portion and main portion of the fuse but not over at least a part of the second main portion.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:
inkjet printing a conductive material over the dielectric layer and said part of the second main portion to form an address conductor line, such that the fuse can be written by applying a voltage to the address conductor line.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the conductive material comprises a single metal material.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising printing additional layers on the fuse to form an array of addressable fuses, wherein the array is formed on a flexible substrate.
6. A method of forming an array, comprising:
using an inkjet printer to form a first layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as at least one first fuse, each first fuse having a contact portion;
using an inkjet printer to form a second layer comprising a dielectric material over the first layer, wherein the dielectric material includes an opening that resides over the contact portion of each first fuse;
using an inkjet printer to form a third layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as a first conductor and is deposited over the dielectric material and the opening and in electrical contact with the contact portion of each first fuse;
using an inkjet printer to form a fourth layer comprising dielectric material and is deposited over the third layer;
using an inkjet printer to form a fifth layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as at least one second fuse and is applied over the fourth layer, each second fuse having a contact portion;
using an inkjet printer to form a sixth layer comprising dielectric material over the fifth layer, wherein the dielectric material includes an opening that resides over the contact portion of each second fuse; and
using an inkjet printer to form a seventh layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as a second conductor and is deposited over the sixth layer and the opening and in electrical contact with the contact portion of each second fuse;
wherein the layers form a three dimensional array of fuses.
7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein each first and second fuse has a first end portion having a first dimension, a second end portion having a second dimension, and a middle portion having a third dimension less than the first and second dimensions, and wherein the first, second and third dimensions are configured such that application of a predetermined current through the end portions and middle portion will cause the middle portion to become discontinuous while the end portions remain continuous upon application of the predetermined current.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:
using a printer to form address conductor lines such that the first and second end portions are electrically connected to the address conductor lines.
9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises a single metal material.
10. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the layers are deposited on a flexible substrate and wherein the printer comprises a thermal inkjet printer having a printhead including a heating element, wherein the printhead is movable relative to the substrate and is configured to deposit droplets of the materials at selective locations along the substrate.
11. A method of forming a fuse device, comprising
using an inkjet printer to deposit a conductive material that is configured to act as a first fuse having a contact portion;
using an inkjet printer to deposit a dielectric material over the first fuse, wherein the dielectric material includes an opening that resides over the contact portion of the first fuse; and
using an inkjet printer to deposit conductive material that is configured to act as a first conductor and is deposited over the dielectric material and the opening and in electrical contact with the contact portion of the first fuse.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising
using an inkjet printer to deposit conductive material that is configured to act as a second fuse having a contact portion, the second fuse being generally coplanar with the first fuse;
using an inkjet printer to deposit dielectric material over the second fuse, wherein the dielectric material include an opening that resides over the contact portion of the second fuse; and
using an inkjet printer to deposit conductive material that is configured to act as a second conductor and is deposited over the dielectric material and the opening and in electrical contact with the contact portion of the second fuse; and
using an inkjet printer to deposit conductive material that is configured to act as a third conductor and is coplanar with and electrically connecting with at least one of the first and second fuses.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first and second conductors are electrically connected and wherein the third conductor electrically connects with the first and second fuses.
14. The method as recited in claim 11,
wherein each fuse has a first end portion having a first dimension, a second end portion having a second dimension, and a middle portion having a third dimension less than the first and second dimensions; and
wherein the first, second and third dimensions are configured such that application of a predetermined current through the end portions and middle portion will cause the middle portion to become discontinuous while the end portions remain continuous upon application of the predetermined current.
15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the conductive material comprises a single metal material.
16. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the materials are deposited on a flexible substrate and wherein the printer comprises a thermal inkjet printer having a printhead including a heating element, wherein the printhead is movable relative to the substrate and is configured to deposit droplets of the materials at selective locations along the substrate.
17. A method of forming an array, comprising:
using an inkjet printer to form a first layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as at least one first fuse, each first fuse having a contact portion;
using an inkjet printer to form a second layer comprising a dielectric material over the first layer, wherein the dielectric material includes an opening that resides over the contact portion of each first fuse;
using an inkjet printer to form a third layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as a conductor for connection to a bit line and is deposited over the dielectric material and the opening and in electrical contact with the contact portion of each first fuse;
using an inkjet printer to form a fourth layer comprising dielectric material and is deposited over the third layer, wherein the dielectric material includes an opening that is aligned over the opening of the second layer;
using an inkjet printer to form a fifth layer comprising conductive material that is configured to act as at least one second fuse and is applied over the fourth layer, each second fuse having a contact portion such that the second fuse is in electrical contact with the conductor and the contact portion of each first fuse; and
using an inkjet printer to form a sixth layer comprising dielectric material over the fifth layer;
wherein the layers form a three dimensional array of fuses and each vertically adjacent first and second fuse share a bit line through the openings in the second and fourth layers.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A rail system for X-ray imaging apparatuses, comprising:
a rail unit provided on a support surface and extending a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction;
a detecting unit provided on the rail unit, the detecting unit comprising:
a detector stand provided on the rail unit so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail unit,
a detector arm coupled to a side surface of the detector stand so as to be movable upwards and downwards, the detector arm having a bent structure, and
a detector coupled to the detector arm, the detector being rotatable with respect to the detector arm; and

an X-ray generating unit provided on the rail unit at a position facing the detector, the X-ray generating unit comprising:
a tube stand provided on the rail unit so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail unit,
a tube arm provided on the tube stand so as to be movable upwards and downwards,
an X-ray tube coupled to the tube arm so as to be rotatable with respect to the tube arm, and
a collimator fastened to the X-ray tube.
2. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rail unit comprises:
a rail supported on the support surface and extending a predetermined length;
a rail guide provided along an entire length of the rail; and
a rack gear provided along the entire length of the rail.
3. The rail system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the detecting unit comprises:
a detector support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a detector stand moving motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the detector stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
a detector lift motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate upwards and downwards;
a lower chain pulley coupled to an output shaft of the detector lift motor through a belt;
the detector stand placed upright on the detector support plate;
a chain engaging with the lower chain pulley, the chain provided to move over an entire range within which the detector moves upwards and downwards;
an upper chain pulley provided on an upper end of the detector stand so as to be rotatable, the upper chain pulley engaging with the chain;
a detector guide rail mounted to the detector stand, the detector guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the detector stand;
an arm assembly coupled on an inner surface thereof to the chain, the arm assembly movably fitted over the detector guide rail;
the detector arm fastened to a surface of the arm assembly facing the X-ray generating unit;
a detector rotating motor provided on the detector arm;
a detector mounting plate coupled to an output shaft of the detector rotating motor through a worm gear engagement structure so as to be rotatable; and
the detector fastened to the detector mounting plate, so that the detector is rotatable with respect to the detector arm.
4. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the X-ray generating unit comprises:
a tube stand support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a tube stand moving motor provided on the tube stand support plate to provide drive force for moving the tube stand support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the tube stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
the tube stand placed upright on the tube stand support plate;
a tube lift motor provided in an upper end of the tube stand;
a pulley shaft connected to an output shaft of the tube lift motor by a belt, so that the pulley shaft is rotated by rotation of the output shaft of the lift motor;
a pulley fitted over the pulley shaft;
a tube stand wire provided in the tube stand, the tube stand wire being connected to the pulley;
a tube guide rail mounted to the tube stand, the tube guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the tube stand;
the tube arm movably coupled to the tube guide rail, the tube arm being connected to the tube stand wire so that the tube arm is moved upwards and downwards by movement of the tube stand wire;
a tube rotating motor provided on a distal end of the tube arm;
a rotating plate fastened to an output shaft of the tube rotating motor;
the X-ray tube coupled to the rotating plate, so that the X-ray tube is rotated along with the rotating plate; and
the collimator fastened to the X-ray tube to control an X-ray radiation dispersal range.
5. The rail system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the X-ray generating unit comprises:
a tube stand support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a tube stand moving motor provided on the tube stand support plate to provide drive force for moving the tube stand support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the tube stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
the tube stand placed upright on the tube stand support plate;
a tube lift motor provided in an upper end of the tube stand;
a pulley shaft connected to an output shaft of the tube lift motor by a belt, so that the pulley shaft is rotated by rotation of the output shaft of the lift motor;
a pulley fitted over the pulley shaft;
a tube stand wire provided in the tube stand, the tube stand wire being connected to the pulley;
a tube guide rail mounted to the tube stand, the tube guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the tube stand;
the tube arm movably coupled to the tube guide rail, the tube arm being connected to the tube stand wire so that the tube arm is moved upwards and downwards by movement of the tube stand wire;
a tube rotating motor provided on a distal end of the tube arm;
a rotating plate fastened to an output shaft of the tube rotating motor;
the X-ray tube coupled to the rotating plate, so that the X-ray tube is rotated along with the rotating plate; and
the collimator fastened to the X-ray tube to control an X-ray radiation dispersal range.
6. The rail system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the X-ray generating unit comprises:
a tube stand support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a tube stand moving motor provided on the tube stand support plate to provide drive force for moving the tube stand support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the tube stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
the tube stand placed upright on the tube stand support plate;
a tube lift motor provided in an upper end of the tube stand;
a pulley shaft connected to an output shaft of the tube lift motor by a belt, so that the pulley shaft is rotated by rotation of the output shaft of the lift motor;
a pulley fitted over the pulley shaft;
a tube stand wire provided in the tube stand, the tube stand wire being connected to the pulley;
a tube guide rail mounted to the tube stand, the tube guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the tube stand;
the tube arm movably coupled to the tube guide rail, the tube arm being connected to the tube stand wire so that the tube arm is moved upwards and downwards by movement of the tube stand wire;
a tube rotating motor provided on a distal end of the tube arm;
a rotating plate fastened to an output shaft of the tube rotating motor;
the X-ray tube coupled to the rotating plate, so that the X-ray tube is rotated along with the rotating plate; and
the collimator fastened to the X-ray tube to control an X-ray radiation dispersal range.
7. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector stand further comprises a table fastener.
8. An X-ray imaging apparatus using the rail system of claim 1.
9. A rail system for X-ray imaging apparatuses, comprising:
a rail unit provided on a support surface and extending a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction;
a detecting unit provided on the rail unit, the detecting unit comprising:
a detector stand provided on the rail unit so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail unit,
a detector arm provided on a front surface of the detector stand so as to be movable upwards and downwards, and
a detector coupled to the detector arm so as to be rotatable with respect to the detector arm;
and
an X-ray generating unit provided on the rail unit, the X-ray generating unit comprising:
a tube stand provided on the rail unit so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail unit,
a tube arm coupled to the tube stand so as to be movable upwards and downwards such that a distal end of the tube arm faces the detecting unit, the tube arm having a bent structure,
an X-ray tube coupled to a front surface of the tube arm so as to be rotatable with respect to the tube arm, and
a collimator fastened to the X-ray tube.
10. The rail system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rail unit comprises:
a rail supported on the support surface and extending a predetermined length;
a rail guide provided along an entire length of the rail; and
a rack gear provided along the entire length of the rail.
11. The rail system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the detecting unit comprises:
a detector support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a detector stand moving motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the detector stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
a detector lift motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate upwards and downwards;
a lower chain pulley coupled to an output shaft of the detector lift motor through a belt;
the detector stand placed upright on the detector support plate;
a chain engaging with the lower chain pulley, the chain being provided to move over an entire range within which the detector moves upwards and downwards;
an upper chain pulley provided on an upper end of the detector stand so as to be rotatable, the upper chain pulley engaging with the chain;
a detector guide rail mounted to the detector stand, the detector guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the detector stand;
an arm assembly coupled on an inner surface thereof to the chain, the arm assembly movably fitted over the detector guide rail;
the detector arm fastened to a front surface of the arm assembly;
a detector rotating motor provided on the detector arm;
a detector mounting plate coupled to an output shaft of the detector rotating motor through a worm gear engagement structure so as to be rotatable; and
the detector fastened to the detector mounting plate, so that the detector is rotatable with respect to the detector arm.
12. The rail system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the X-ray generating unit comprises:
a tube stand support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide;
a tube stand moving motor provided on the tube stand support plate to provide drive force for moving the tube stand support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail;
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the tube stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear of the rail unit;
the tube stand placed upright on the tube stand support plate;
a tube lift motor provided in an upper end of the tube stand;
a pulley shaft connected to an output shaft of the tube lift motor by a belt, so that the pulley shaft is rotated by rotation of the output shaft of the lift motor;
a pulley fitted over the pulley shaft;
a tube stand wire provided in the tube stand, the tube stand wire being connected to the pulley;
a tube guide rail mounted to the tube stand, the tube guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the tube stand;
the tube arm movably coupled to the tube guide rail, the tube arm being connected to the tube stand wire, wherein the distal end of the tube arm having the bent structure faces the detecting unit;
a tube rotating motor provided on the distal end of the tube arm;
a rotating plate fastened to an output shaft of the tube rotating motor;
the X-ray tube coupled to the rotating plate, so that the X-ray tube is rotatable with respect to a front surface of the tube arm; and
the collimator fastened to the X-ray tube to control an X-ray radiation range.
13. The rail system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the detector stand further comprises a table fastener.
14. An X-ray imaging apparatus using the rail system of claim 9.
15. A rail system for X-ray imaging apparatuses, comprising:
a rail unit, comprising
a rail supported on a support surface and extending a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction,
a rail guide provided along an entire length of the rail, and
a rack gear provided along the entire length of the rail; and

a detecting unit, comprising
a detector support plate having under a lower surface thereof a guide block movably fitted over the rail guide,
a detector stand moving motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate with respect to the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail,
a pinion gear provided on an output shaft of the detector stand moving motor, the pinion gear engaging with the rack gear,
a detector lift motor provided on the detector support plate to provide drive force for moving the detector support plate upwards and downwards,
a lower chain pulley coupled to an output shaft of the detector lift motor through a belt,
the detector stand placed upright on the detector support plate,
a chain engaging with the lower chain pulley, the chain being provided to move over an entire range within which the detector moves upwards and downwards,
an upper chain pulley provided on an upper end of the detector stand so as to be rotatable, the upper chain pulley engaging with the chain,
a detector guide rail mounted to the detector stand, the detector guide rail extending a predetermined length in a vertical direction of the detector stand,
an arm assembly coupled on an inner surface thereof to the chain, the arm assembly movably fitted over the detector guide rail,
a detector arm fastened to a surface of the arm assembly corresponding to a side surface of the detector stand, the detector arm having the bent structure,
a detector rotating motor provided on the detector arm;
a detector mounting plate coupled to an output shaft of the detector rotating motor through a worm gear engagement structure so as to be rotatable, and
a detector fastened to the detector mounting plate, so that the detector is rotatable with respect to the detector arm.

1. A printing device comprising:
at least one station that includes
a printing unit that prints image data of a plurality of colors generated by an upper level device on a printing medium, and
a plurality of holding units that receive and hold the image data of the plurality of colors transmitted from the upper level device through a plurality of first transmission paths respectively corresponding to the image data of the plurality of colors; and

a transmission control unit that controls the plurality of holding units to receive printing information from the upper level device through a second transmission path, and controls, on the basis of the printing information, the plurality of holding units to respectively receive and hold the image data of the plurality of colors transmitted from the upper level device.
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
wherein the station further includes an identification information output unit that outputs identification information configured to identify the station itself,
the printing device further includes a determination unit that acquires the identification information output from the identification information output unit and determines the number of stations on the basis of the identification information, and
the transmission control unit controls the plurality of holding units to respectively receive partial data of the image data of the plurality of colors obtained by dividing the image data by a division number in accordance with the number of stations in units of raster.
3. The printing device according to claim 1,
wherein the station further includes an identification information output unit that outputs identification information configured to identify the station itself,
the printing device further includes a determination unit that acquires the identification information output from the identification information output unit and determines the number of stations on the basis of the identification information, and
the transmission control unit controls the plurality of holding units to respectively receive partial data of the image data of the plurality of colors of one page segmented into the number of blocks in accordance with the number of stations.
4. The printing device according to claim 1,
wherein the station further includes an identification information output unit that outputs identification information configured to identify the station itself,
the printing device further includes a determination unit that acquires the identification information output from the identification information output unit and determines the number of stations on the basis of the identification information, and
the transmission control unit controls the plurality of holding units to respectively receive partial data of the image data of the plurality of colors of multiple pages obtained by dividing the image data by a division number in accordance with the number of stations in units of page.
5. The printing device according to claim 1,
wherein the determination unit further determines a position of the station from among the stations on the basis of the identification information, and
the transmission control unit controls the plurality of holding units to respectively receive, according to the position, partial data of the image data of the plurality of colors obtained by dividing the image data by a division number in accordance with the number of stations.
6. A method of controlling a printing device, the method comprising:
causing a printing unit of a station to print image data of a plurality of colors generated by an upper level device on a printing medium;
causing a plurality of holding units of the station to hold image data of the plurality of colors transmitted from the upper level device through a plurality of first transmission paths respectively corresponding to the image data of the plurality of colors; and
causing a transmission control unit to control the plurality of holding units to receive printing information from the upper level device through a second transmission path, and to control, on the basis of the printing information, the plurality of holding units to respectively receive and hold image data of the plurality of colors transmitted from the upper level device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An operating apparatus comprising:
a display unit that has a first mode being capable of selecting a plurality of functions and a second mode being capable of selecting a part of the functions selectable in the first mode, and displays the functions selectable in the first mode when the first mode is selected and displays the functions selectable in the second mode when the second mode is selected; and
a control unit that controls, when the second mode is transferred to the first mode, the display unit to display a function introduction screen for introducing a function which is not displayed in the second mode before the functions selectable in the first mode are displayed.
2. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the function selectable in the first mode on the display unit after the function introduction screen has been displayed for a predetermined time.
3. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function introduction screen has a screen for introducing a plurality of functions; and the control unit displays the function introduction screen on the display unit every 1 function selected from the plurality of functions.
4. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the functions to be introduced via the function introduction screen in accordance with a predetermined order.
5. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the functions to be introduced via the function introduction screen in accordance with an order selected at random.
6. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the functions to be introduced via the function introduction screen in accordance with an order of execution times of each function.
7. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the functions to be introduced via the function introduction screen in accordance with a sort of paper cassette which is set on a recording unit.
8. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the functions to be introduced via the function introduction screen in accordance with a sort of ink cassette which is set on a recording unit.
9. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays an image on the display unit, which is formed by adding an image corresponding to the function to be introduced with respect to the function to be introduced via the function introduction screen.
10. The operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit, a screen for introducing a function which is selectable in the first mode and is not installed in the operating apparatus.
11. A recording apparatus comprising:
an operating apparatus according to claim 1; and
a printing unit for printing an image inputted from an external apparatus.
12. A method of controlling an operating apparatus having a first mode capable of selecting a plurality of functions and a second mode capable of selecting a part of the functions selectable in the first mode, the method comprising:
displaying the functions selectable in the first mode when the first mode is selected and displaying the functions selectable in the second mode when the second mode is selected; and
displaying, when the second mode is transferred to the first mode, a function introduction screen for introducing a function which is not displayed in the second mode before the functions selectable in the first mode are displayed.
13. A method of displaying a plurality of titles of functions in a first mode and a plurality of titles of functions in a second mode, the plurality of the titles of functions in the second mode being included in the plurality of the titles of the first mode, and the modes being shifted, the method comprising:
displaying the plurality of the titles of functions in the second mode, and
displaying information about the functions in the first mode, which are not included in the functions in the second mode, when the second mode shifts to the first mode.
14. The method of displaying according to claim 13, wherein the titles of functions are selectable to conduct the functions.
15. The method of displaying according to claim 13 further comprising displaying the plurality of the titles of functions in the first mode after displaying the information about the functions in the first mode.