System and method for selective printhead based servicing operations
US6533384B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/706
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The time required to perform servicing operations may be substantially reduced by application of different criteria on different pens of a printing mechanism. The servicing operation routines for each of the pens may be individually established according to their characterizations which are based upon the ink drops to be fired from each of the pens. The timing of the servicing operations for the selected pens may be predicated upon a selected printmode to thereby substantially comply with a user's expectations of throughput and print quality. In addition, the nozzles of each of the printheads may be grouped according to their condition or health. Those nozzles having a condition that falls below a predetermined threshold value may undergo drop detections more frequently than other nozzles. In this respect, the throughput and the print quality of a printing operation may be adjusted according to user preferences.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.