Method and apparatus for correcting deviation of temperature sensor

• US 20050093910A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S-Printing Solution Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Im, Dae-hyeok
• Granted Patent: US 7,275,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0451 for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04563 detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04586 controlling heads of a type not covered by groups B41J2/04575 - B41J2/04585, or of an undefined type
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/125 Sensors, e.g. deflection sensors nozzle clogging detection for cleaning reasons B41J2/16579; detection for compensation for failed nozzles B41J2/2139
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns

Abstract

A method and apparatus for correcting deviation of a temperature sensor placed in a header having a plurality of nozzles in an inkjet printer is provided. The deviation correcting method includes spraying ink through the nozzles a predetermined number of times, measuring a temperature of the temperature sensor corresponding to the number of sprayed times, measuring a voltage output from the temperature sensor, and determining a correction value of the temperature sensor using the measured temperature and the output voltage. According to the method and apparatus, it is possible to correct a large amount of deviation of a thermistor in a header without using an additional element, that is, an ambient sensor. Therefore, since an expensive ambient sensor is not used, costs can be reduced and a printer circuit configuration is simplified.

Claims

1. A method of correcting deviation of a temperature sensor placed in a header having a plurality of nozzles in an inkjet printer, the method comprising the steps of:

spraying ink through the nozzles a predetermined number of times;

measuring a temperature of the temperature sensor corresponding to the number of sprayed times;

measuring a voltage output from the temperature sensor; and

determining a correction value of the temperature sensor using the measured temperature and the output voltage of the temperature sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the correction value in a nonvolatile memory.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the correction value is determined according to the following equation:

Temperature=Slope*Output voltage+Correction value, in which the Slope is the ratio of the measured temperature to the output voltage.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the Slope is 100.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the output voltage from the temperature sensor comprises:

amplifying the output voltage from the temperature sensor; and

converting the analog amplified output voltage into a digital form.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring deviation corrected temperature of the temperature sensor based on the output voltage of the temperature sensor using the determined correction value.

8. An apparatus for correcting deviation of a temperature sensor placed in a header having a plurality of nozzles in an inkjet printer, the apparatus comprising:

a header for spraying ink through the nozzles a predetermined number of times;

a temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature of the temperature sensor corresponding to the number of sprayed times;

a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage output from the temperature sensor; and

a controller for determining a correction value of the temperature sensor using the measured temperature and the output voltage of the temperature sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a nonvolatile memory storing the correction value.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller determines the correction value using the following equation:

Temperature=Slope*Output voltage+Correction value, in which the Slope is the ratio of the measured temperature to the output voltage.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the Slope is 100.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the voltage measuring unit comprises:

an amplifier for amplifying the output voltage from the temperature sensor; and

an analog to digital converter for converting the amplified output voltage into a digital form.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier.