Methods and apparatus for precision control of print head assemblies
US7413272B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2202/09
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling the quantity of fluid output (e.g., drop size) by individual nozzles of a print head to a very high precision at a frequency equal to the frequency at which fluid is normally dispensed. This is achieved by mapping fluid quantity control information into the data that represents the image to be printed. Data representative of an image is received and converted into pixel data. In at least one embodiment, the pixel data includes pixels represented by N bits, and the N bits may represent a drop size for the pixel and a union of the N bits may represent a nozzle status. A print head may be controlled based on the pixel data, and the print head may include nozzles that are each adapted to deposit at least one drop size quantity of a fluid on a substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.