Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print head section having a nozzle for discharging ink; a paper feed section for feeding paper in a paper feed direction; a movement section for reciprocally moving the print head along a track formed in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction; a maintenance section for performing a maintenance operation on the nozzle; a case for accommodating the above-mentioned sections; a cover attached to the case in an openable and closable manner; a detection section for detecting open and closed states of the cover and outputting detection signals representative of the open and closed states of the cover; and a control section for controlling drive of the movement section and the maintenance section according to the detection signals output by the detection section.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus of the invention includes a head having a nozzle. The head is adapted to receive jetting data corresponding to one scanning movement in a main scanning direction. The head is moved in the main scanning direction, after the head has received the jetting data. A suitable viscosity of liquid in the nozzle is recovered from an increased viscosity thereof by operating a recovering unit. A measuring timer is adapted to measure at least a part of the time since a previous operation of the recovering unit has been completed. A controller is adapted to control the recovering unit based on the time measured by the measuring timer.

Abstract: A method for correcting deviations from the normal performance of the service station by adapting the level of servicing a printhead receives based upon the age of the service station. For relatively newer service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively less servicing operations on the printheads to thereby conserve ink and relatively increase the life of the service station and the printheads. For relatively older service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively heavier servicing operations on the printheads to substantially compensate for the deleterious effects arising from the aging of the service station.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for effecting recording with a recording head on a recording medium, a temperature detector provided on a control circuit board of the recording apparatus detects a temperature at the board, and a timer measures a first activation time of electric power supply to the control circuit board for a control not involving a recording operation. The timing of reading the temperature detected by the temperature detector, as well as a correction value for the thus read value, are determined according to the first activation time measured by the timer.

Abstract: In the present invention, the minimum necessary consumption of ink can recover the channel miss state of the plurality of nozzles. The present invention provides a recovery processing method of an ink jet printing apparatus for forming images using a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets. The method comprises a first step for detecting channel miss state of said plurality of nozzles, and a second step for executing at least one of different recovery processes depending on the channel miss states of said plurality of nozzles detected in the first step.

Abstract: A solid type semiconductor device comprises energy converting means for converting energy from outside, and operating means operated by energy converted by the energy converting means. The energy converting means converts the electromotive force supplied from the outside to the device in non-contact into electric power. The operating means comprises information acquiring means actuated by electric power obtained by energy converting means; discriminating means; information accumulating means; and information communicating means.

Abstract: A recovery method for an ink jet printing apparatus is provided which makes it possible to use as much ink in the ink tank as possible and minimize the residual ink volume at time of a tank replacement. The recovery method for keeping an ejection performance of the print head in appropriate condition by performing a recovery operation of discharging ink from the print head, therefore, includes the steps of: detecting a residual ink volume in the ink tank; and controlling a discharge ink volume to be discharged by the recovery operation when the residual ink volume detected by the residual ink volume detection step is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is structured to perform discharges in the capping status when preliminary discharges are performed in a shot number larger than a predetermined number, and perform discharges in a cap or a preparatory port other than the cap when the preliminary discharges are performed in a shot number less than the predetermined number. With the structure thus arranged, it is made possible to implement the suppression of the mist generation due to the preliminary discharges, and to make the time of recording on a recording medium shorter as well.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a preliminary discharge control method capable of efficient preliminary discharge control even in a case where a time interval to assure normal printing is equal or nearly equal to the period of one print scanning of an inkjet printhead. In the method, in an inkjet printhead which performs printing by discharging ink from plural print elements while reciprocate-scanned by a carriage, the number of ink dischargings from each of the plural print elements is counted during print scanning by reciprocate scanning. It is determined whether or not the counted number of ink dischargings from each of the plural print elements is equal to or greater than a predetermined number at predetermined intervals. In accordance with the result of determination, a printable period is updated, and the updated printable period is compared with time necessary for the next print scanning upon completion of one print scanning by reciprocate scanning.

Abstract: A pen having a printhead and a chamber for holding ink; a sensor for monitoring changes in the amount of ink in the chamber; and a pump for selectively drawing ink into or expelling ink from the chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus suppresses defective ejection while reducing a consumed ink amount. In the apparatus, a cap-open period, during which a cap member does not cap ejection ports of a recording head of the apparatus, is measured, and a recovery operation executed by a recovery unit is controlled based on a cumulated cap-open period. With the above arrangement, there can be solved a problem that the ink ejecting state of the recording head is deteriorated depending on a recording operation because a cap-open state, in which the cap member does not cap the ejection ports of the recording head, continues while the inkjet recording apparatus executes the recording operation, thereby the reliability of the inkjet recording apparatus can be improved.

Abstract: An ink jet printing device has an ink jet printing head capable of moving back and forth along a print track to perform a printing job. The ink jet printing head has a plurality of nozzles and corresponding driving units. The servicing method has the steps: (1) recording status of each driving unit; (2) determining a service job corresponding to each individual driving unit with a predetermined rule according to the corresponding status of each driving unit when the ink jet printing head needs to be serviced, and (3) driving each driving unit to perform the corresponding service job.

Abstract: A driving method for an ink jet printing head includes a vibration application step and an ink refresh operation step. In the vibration application step, small vibrations, which do not cause ink drop discharge from nozzles of the ink jet printing head, are applied to pressure-generation chambers of the ink jet printing head corresponding to nozzles which are not executing ink drop discharge. In the ink refresh operation step, ink refresh operation, for removing the ink in the nozzles and replacing the ink with fresh ink, is periodically executed according to a refresh operation cycle which is appropriately set based on the temperature and/or humidity measured around the ink jet printing head. The ink refresh operation is executed by means of forcible ink drop discharge from the nozzles, ink suction by a pump, etc. For example, the refresh operation cycle is set shorter as the temperature around the ink jet printing head gets lower and as the humidity around the ink jet printing head gets lower.

Abstract: A method for correcting deviations from the normal performance of the service station by adapting the level of servicing a printhead receives based upon the age of the service station. For relatively newer service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively less servicing operations on the printheads to thereby conserve ink and relatively increase the life of the service station and the printheads. For relatively older service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively heavier servicing operations on the printheads to substantially compensate for the deleterious effects arising from the aging of the service station.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to detect the termination of ink reliably and highly accurately in an ink jet recording apparatus. An ink cartridge 2 has an opening 5 for connection to a recording head 1, and is include of a negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 containing a negative pressure generating member 13 and having an atmosphere communicating port 10, and an ink containing portion 16 which is adjacent to the negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 and communicates therewith at the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. Ink detecting device 3 is provided below the ink containing portion 16. When the detecting device 3 detects a reduction in the remain in the ink containing portion 16, ink remains only in the negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 and the remainder can be substantially estimated.

Abstract: A method of performing printhead maintenance comprises the steps as follow. First, the orifices of the printhead are defined to form a plurality of orifice groups. Then, a test graph comprising a plurality of test lines associated with the orifice groups is provided, and the ink is ejected through the printhead to obtain a printing result of the test graph. Next, the orifice groups containing the clogged orifices are selected according to the printing result. Then the orifice groups to be cleaned undergo the maintenance procedure. In the present invention, the orifice groups to be cleaned are determined by comparing the printing result and the test graph. Then the maintenance procedure can be selected to purge only the orifice groups containing clogged orifices, so that the unnecessary consumption of ink in purging unclogged orifices is reduced.

Abstract: A host apparatus of an information processing system performs processing related to a printer operation. That is, the operation to be performed by a user is displayed on a display screen of the information processing system so the user performs the operation appropriately and easily. As a result, in the information processing system with an ink jet recording apparatus provided, the operation peculiar to the ink jet recording apparatus can be performed appropriately and easily by a user.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer having device for executing recovery processing by ink suction to make the ink ejection state of a printing head favorable, increase in ink consumption due to recovery processing is suppressed properly while maintaining ejection quality. When it is judged that recovery processing is necessary due to exchange of a head or an ink tank, this information is stored in a RAM and an EEPROM. Only before execution of print, recovery processing is executed when it is determined that the recovery processing is necessary based on the information. At the execution, the information is cleared to a recovery unnecessary state. As the information is held in the EEPROM, necessity of the recovery processing after power supply ON is determined based on a recovery processing execution state before the power supply was turned off. Therefore, suction recovery processing is executed without waste at a proper timing.

Abstract: A nozzle surface (13) is sealed by a cap member (44) in a state in which an ink solution is accumulated in a sealed hollow portion (45). After the nozzle surface (13) is sealed, piezoelectric vibrators (35) are driven by applying thereto a high-frequency drive signal of a frequency higher than a drive frequency for ejecting the ink solution toward recording paper, thereby causing cavitation in the ink solution. The firmly adhering thickened ink and solidified ink occurring in nozzle openings (29) are broken or exfoliated by bubbles caused by this cavitation. Subsequently, the suction operation is performed to remove the thickened ink and the solidified ink from the nozzle portions.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus having first eject ports ejecting a first ink; second eject ports ejecting a second ink; a recovery means for executing recovery treatments respectively against the first and second eject ports; and a controlling means for controlling the recovery means to execute sucking treatments against corresponding eject ports whenever elapsed times in respective first and second eject ports after the most recent recovery treatments against respective first and second eject ports by the recovery means exceed respective predetermined threshold times, where the predetermined threshold time for the second eject ports is set at an integral which is more than two times the predetermined threshold time for the first eject ports.

Abstract: A flushing determination section 55 determines whether a flushing operation is to be performed, on the basis of a paper size recognized by a paper width recognizer and a traveling direction detected by a carriage traveling direction detector. In this case, a threshold value produced by threshold value determination section is set so as to assume different values according to the traveling direction of the carriage. The probability of recording heads being subjected to flushing in the vicinity of the home position is made greater while required flushing intervals are maintained. Consequently, print throughput on recording paper of comparatively large size is improved, and the traveling range of the carriage can be reduced.

Abstract: In a cleaning controller for a recording head of a recorder connected to an external device, a timer acquires a first time value indicating a current time from the external device, and performs cyclic clocking in which a first predetermined time period is repetitively clocked from a predetermined time point. A nonvolatile storage medium stores a second time value indicating a time at which a cleaning operation is lastly performed. A determinant compares the first and the second time values to obtain a third time value, and determines whether a cleaning operation is necessary to be performed based on the third time value. A cleaner performs a cleaning operation of the recording head based on the result determined by the determinant.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique that flexibly determines compatibility of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus with high accuracy. The ink cartridge has a storage element that stores therein compatible driver information, which is used to specify a printer driver compatible with the ink cartridge. The printing apparatus collates information of a selected printer driver with the compatible driver information and determines compatibility of the ink cartridge with the printer driver. The printer driver changes over the method of generating print data, based on the compatible driver information.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head having an ink ejection outlet for ejecting ink in response to recording data received from a main body of an information processing apparatus. A recover operation is performed on the recording head for restoring ink ejection and for preventing ink ejection failure, in response to a command from the main body of the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a sensed device having indicia that is capable of being sensed positioned adjacent to a movable print device, and at least first and second indicia sensors carried by the movable print device in spaced relation to one another.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device for printing plots comprises a printhead, which has a plurality of nozzles each nozzle having at least a working status and a failing status, a servicing unit capable of applying recovery functions to said plurality of nozzles, detection means for checking if a nozzles is in a working status or in a failing status, memory means and a plurality of functions executable by said device to improve image quality. Said memory means, responsive to said detection means, contains data on how the status of a nozzle is varying over time. Said device further comprises means to select and execute at least one of said plurality of functions, responsive to the data stored in said memory means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus for recording in discharging ink out of a recording head, comprising a recovery apparatus for recovering the recording head in performing a conceptually lower recovery operation and a conceptually higher recovery operation including the conceptually lower recovery operation and a controller for controlling the operation of the recovery apparatus. In a case where the conceptually lower recovery operation is otherwise made, if a second condition not satisfying a first condition is satisfied even where the first condition for performing the conceptually higher recovery operation is not satisfied during the conceptually higher recovery operation, the conceptually higher recovery operation is performed without performing the conceptually lower recovery operation.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus having first eject ports for ejecting a first ink and second eject ports for ejecting a second ink, a cap for capping the first and second eject ports, a sucking device which sucks ink while the cap is capping the first and second eject ports, a controlling device which controls the sucking device to suck the first and second eject ports via the cap when a communicating valve is closed, then opens the communicating valve as the cap is capping over eject ports and sucks against the cap by the sucking device, and ejects ink into the cap from the first and second eject ports simultaneously.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head is provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzles for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed. A capping member for sealing the nozzle formation face has an inner space formed with a bottom. An ink absorbing member is provided on the bottom of the inner space. In a first flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member. In a second flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face. Either the first flushing mode or the second flushing mode is selectively performed.

Abstract: In the ejection performance maintaining and recovering processing performed to a plurality of liquid ejection openings to which liquid reserved in the same liquid reservoir is supplied, even if the number of liquid ejection openings for which the maintaining and recovering processing is to be simultaneously performed changes, the ejection performance is maintained and recovered by discharging a proper amount of liquid from each of the liquid ejection openings, and the amount of liquid consumed in the ejection performance maintaining and recovering processing is reduced. An amount of liquid discharged from each of liquid ejection openings is substantially equalized, regardless of the number of liquid ejection openings to be processed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an inkjet multifunction device having a function of attempting to correct malfunctioning nozzles. The inkjet multifunction device includes a printing unit for printing a test pattern, a scanner for scanning the printed test pattern, and a control unit for determining whether respective nozzles in the printing unit malfunction based on the scanned test pattern. The control unit controls the printing unit in order for the nozzles determined as malfunctioned to perform spitting. The determination on whether the nozzles malfunction and the purging of the nozzles are repeatedly performed by the predetermined number of times, and the test step stops if it is determined that all the nozzles normally operate after the repetition operation. Paper and ink can be saved since the purging is selectively performed only on nozzles deemed to be malfunctioning, and meaningless testing and purging operations are prevented from occurring in the case of where there is an absence of malfunctioning nozzles.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus characterized by a mounting portion for mounting thereon a liquid discharging head provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid, a cap for covering the discharge port, suction means for effecting suction from the discharge port when the cap covers the discharge port, and control means for causing the cap to cover the discharge port when the liquid discharging head is mounted on the mounting portion, and causing the suction means to effect first suction from the discharge port by negative pressure having a first negative pressure curve, and then causing the suction means to effect second suction from the discharge port by negative pressure in a second negative pressure curve which is different than the first negative pressure curve with the cap caused to cover the discharge port.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having functionality to adaptively control an amount of force applied to a servicing sled used to clean an inkjet printhead. In selecting a run force to be applied to the servicing sled, a test force is applied to the servicing sled to determine if the servicing sled will move a predetermined distance under the test force.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head is provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzles for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed. A capping member for sealing the nozzle formation face has an inner space formed with a bottom. An ink absorbing member is provided on the bottom of the inner space. In a first flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member. In a second flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face. Either the first flushing mode or the second flushing mode is selectively performed.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus comprises an energy generating element for generating energy to be utilized for discharging liquid, a wiper for wiping in succession plural discharge ports for discharging liquid, utilizing the energy generated by the energy generating element, control device for starting liquid discharge, utilizing the energy generated by the energy generating element, among the plural discharge ports, in succession from a discharge port immediately prior to being wiped by the wiper and from a discharge port in the vicinity of the immediately prior discharge port at the downstream side in the wiping direction by the wiper.

Abstract: A tube pump is continuously driven to set an interior of a cap at a target negative pressure, and then driving and stopping of the tube pump is repeated to maintain a predetermined suction pressure. Therefore, a suction operation can be performed without mixing bubbles in a liquid chamber or wasting inks.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus which performs printing by using a print head. The print head has at least a predetermined number of nozzles to eject ink. The apparatus includes a first prefiring mechanism for causing the print head to perform a prefiring operation to eject ink from nozzles of the print head for maintaining printing quality after a first time interval during a printing operation. The apparatus also includes a driving mechanism for driving nozzles of the print head based on data to be printed, and a second prefiring mechanism for causing the print head to perform the prefiring operation in a case where a number of the nozzles to be driven is changed. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a shifting mechanism for causing the driving mechanism to drive the nozzles of the print head based on the first time interval during the printing operation so as to enhance a power of ejecting ink and continue the printing operation after the first time interval without performing the prefiring operation.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus for effecting recording using an ink-jet recording head is capable of forming large dots and small dots. The number of times of discharge operation for forming large dots and the number of times of discharge operation for forming small dots are separately counted, and a total ink discharge amount is calculated on the basis of these count values. The total ink discharge amount which is compared with a predetermined value to perform appropriate suction processing. According to the invention, an ink suction operation from a discharge port is started with appropriate timing, thereby controlling consumption of ink.

Abstract: Overall print quality is improved via a method whereby an actual image is printed, a virtual image is defined based on image data, and the actual and virtual images are compared to identify a printhead error pattern which may be used to correct subsequent printing errors. This typically is accomplished via a system which employs an optical device which views an actual image to produce optical data, and a controller which derives a virtual image from image data provided to the printhead. The controller then compares the actual and virtual images to identify an error pattern, and modifies subsequent image data to compensate for perceived errors.

Abstract: Flushing regions for receiving ink droplets to be ejected when flushing signal is supplied to a recording head are provided in both of non-print regions situated at both sides of print region in order to prevent throughput during the flushing operation from deteriorating. A guide member having a slant surface is disposed between the recording head and an ink absorbing member to which the ink landed on the slant surface flows in order to reduce in size of the ink absorbing member. A porous sheet member closely faced to nozzle orifices of the recording head for receiving the ink droplets ejected therefrom is provided in order to prevent undesired mist of fine ink droplets from generating. A plurality of plate members closely faced to the nozzle orifices are provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the flight direction of the ink droplets in order to prevent the undesired mist from generating. The flushing operation is performed so as to prevent solidification of the ejected ink.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for implementing spit strips to reduce service station fluid waste, and to improve throughput. The printing system includes a controller, printhead assembly, and a service station assembly, operating to produce an image on a print media. The operations of the system are produced by controlling the direction of a motor. First, a portion of ink in the nozzles that have become dye enriched are determined and then the dye enriched ink is purged on available margins on a periphery of print media outside an area reserved for images.

Abstract: A method for servicing a printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism is provided. Firstly, a plurality of time difference information is collected by the printing mechanism. Each time difference information represents a period of time passed between end of a last print job and receipt of a succeeding print job. The print jobs are sent from a computer connected to the printing mechanism. Subsequently, the printing mechanism uses the plurality of time difference information to determine a nominal time information representing an amount of time. After the determination of the nominal time information, the printing mechanism periodically performs a first level servicing dependent upon the nominal time information.

Abstract: A method for increasing the waste ink storage capacity in an ink jet printer includes the steps of providing a printer frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion; providing a platen extending between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; providing a maintenance station coupled to the first frame portion; providing a printhead carrier for carrying a first printhead and a second printhead, and adapted for reciprocating movement along a carrier path, the carrier path extending over the first frame portion and the platen; defining a first ink spit area located at the maintenance station; defining a second ink spit area located at the platen; and selectively controlling an operation of the first printhead during spitting operations to eject a first ink in the first ink spit area and selectively controlling an operation of the second printhead during spitting operations to eject a second ink in the second ink spit area.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head is provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzles for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed. A capping member for sealing the nozzle formation face has an inner space formed with a bottom. An ink absorbing member is provided on the bottom of the inner space. In a first flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member. In a second flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face. Either the first flushing mode or the second flushing mode is selectively performed.

Abstract: The present invention appropriately determines a point of time when a pressurization member such as a pump roller starts squeezing an elastic tube, that is, a point of time when a tube pump starts to generate pressure. The present invention thereby provides a pressure generating apparatus that can stably generate pressure without increasing costs, a printing apparatus including this pressure generating apparatus, and a method for controlling this printing apparatus. To achieve this, a tube pump is provided that operates after a pump roller acting as a pressurization member has come in pressure contact with a tube, to allow the pump roller to squeeze the tube to generate pressure therein. Then, after the pump roller has moved a predetermined amount to come in pressure contact with the tube, movement of the pump roller is stopped. Subsequently, a valve lever is allowed to perform a closing operation and the pump roller is then moved again.

Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism is assembled into a pump unit frame with an ink supply pump, a buffer purge pump, a suction pump, a motor shaft gear, and a wiper member. The buffer purge pump and the suction pump are configured to be selectively driven by switching rotational direction of a motor having the motor shaft gear. The planetary gear mechanism transmits drive force from the motor shaft gear to the buffer purge pump or the suction pump in accordance with rotational direction. The buffer purge pump and the wiper member are selectively driven by the rotations of the motor rotating in the same direction in phase-dependent on the rotations of the motor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, which performs printing by using a full-line type printhead, prints an image in accordance with an attachment angle of the printhead, and automatically performs registration adjustment when using plural printheads. In the apparatus, an angle of the printhead relative to a transfer direction of a print medium is detected, image data received in raster format is divided into plural pixel blocks, the divided pixel blocks are stored into a memory, the order of reading the pixel blocks from the memory is determined based on the detected relative angle, and the read data is transmitted to the printhead and used for printing.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system and method that enables printing to continue after an ink supply has been depleted without damaging the printhead associated with the depleted ink supply. The method detects whether less than a predetermined reserve amount of ink remains in a depleted ink supply and, if so, then ink drops will be ejected from that depleted ink supply only during servicing operations. Since ink drops from non-depleted ink supplies will still be ejected during both printing operations and servicing operations, printing can continue, though possibly with reduced image quality. This is particularly advantageous in printing systems that include fax capability, since fax messages that cannot be printed may be lost.

Abstract: Replacement of a recording head on a recording apparatus is detected on the basis of a serial number allocated to each recording head. The recording head also carries head characteristic information such as color information, shading information and so forth. When the recording head is replaced with a new one, the head characteristic information of the newly mounted recording head is automatically stored, so that head driving conditions are automatically determined to optimize the recording conditions without requiring any manual adjustment. Recovery operation is automatically executed when replacement of the recording head is detected, so that required recording conditions are recovered without manual instructions.

Abstract: A head maintenance control method of an inkjet printer includes receiving a printing command performing a printing operation, calculating a time difference between an input time of the printing command and a final time that the printing operation of the inkjet printer has been most recently performed before the printing command is input, displaying a message requesting the maintenance operation when the time difference is greater than a predetermined time, and performing the maintenance when an execution command for performing the maintenance is input. An intensity of the maintenance operation varies in accordance with the time difference. The maintenance operation is performed in response to an actually required degree when the maintenance should be performed, thus an unnecessary maintenance operation is avoided or an incomplete maintenance operation is prevented.