Title:
INK RESIDUAL QUANTITY SENSOR OF INK JET PRINTER.
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Abstract not available for EP0538444
Abstract of corresponding document: WO9218335
At the time of printing, the number of dots actually printed is stored in printed dot number storage means (28). At each operation of priming means (9), quantity of suctioned ink is cumulatively stored as a number of printed dots in printed dot number storage means (28) by means of storage control means (30). When it is desired to check residual quantity, ink residue detection means (31) computes it based on the ratio of a number of printable dots corresponding to the full volume capacity of ink cartridge (8) and the number of printed dots stored in printed dot number storage means (28). According to the present invention, an ink jet printer, which has a head having a head nozzle to eject ink for printing, ink cartridge (8) containing ink and priming means (9) to suction ink while applying pressure to the head nozzle, is provided with an ink residual quantity sensor characteristically having printable dot number storage means (27) to store a number of printable dots corresponding to the full volume capacity of said ink cartridge (8), printed dot number storage means (28) to store a number of dots actually printed by the head, storage control means (30) to cause quantity of the ink which has been suctioned to be cumulatively stored as a number of printed dots in printed dot number storage means (28) for each action of priming means (9), and ink residue detection means (31) which computes the residual quantity of ink based on said numbers of printable dots and printed dots.
Abstract of corresponding document: WO9218335
At the time of printing, the number of dots actually printed is stored in printed dot number storage means (28). At each operation of priming means (9), quantity of suctioned ink is cumulatively stored as a number of printed dots in printed dot number storage means (28) by means of storage control means (30). When it is desired to check residual quantity, ink residue detection means (31) computes it based on the ratio of a number of printable dots corresponding to the full volume capacity of ink cartridge (8) and the number of printed dots stored in printed dot number storage means (28). According to the present invention, an ink jet printer, which has a head having a head nozzle to eject ink for printing, ink cartridge (8) containing ink and priming means (9) to suction ink while applying pressure to the head nozzle, is provided with an ink residual quantity sensor characteristically having printable dot number storage means (27) to store a number of printable dots corresponding to the full volume capacity of said ink cartridge (8), printed dot number storage means (28) to store a number of dots actually printed by the head, storage control means (30) to cause quantity of the ink which has been suctioned to be cumulatively stored as a number of printed dots in printed dot number storage means (28) for each action of priming means (9), and ink residue detection means (31) which computes the residual quantity of ink based on said numbers of printable dots and printed dots.
Inventors:
Uozumi, Satoru (JP)
Yamada, Morihiko (JP)
Hanaoka, Ichiro (JP)
Yamada, Morihiko (JP)
Hanaoka, Ichiro (JP)
Application Number:
EP19920910697
Publication Date:
04/28/1993
Filing Date:
04/15/1992
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Export Citation:
Assignee:
EASTMAN KODAK CO (US)
International Classes:
B41J2/175; B41J2/175
European Classes:
B41J2/175L
Other References:
See references of WO 9218335A1