Optical ink drop detection apparatus and method for monitoring operation of an ink jet printhead
US6350006B1 · kind B1 · utility
10Cited by
24References
32Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/04561
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring operation of an ink jet printhead. An ink jet printer is controlled to eject a periodic sequence of ink jet curtains through an illuminated gap. Variations in the intensity of the illumination caused by the ink jet curtains are detected to generate a signal representative of the opaqueness of the curtains. The signal is compared to a reference and if insufficient opaqueness is detected a poor print quality signal is generated. In one embodiment a feedback loop is established during a calibration mode to adjust the nominal level of illumination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.