Compensation for uneven printhead module lengths in a multi-module printhead

• US 7,399,043 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Plunkett, Richard Thomas, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Huffman; Julian D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): UHLENHAKE, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US10/727,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 347/131, 347/254, 347/49, 347/14, 347/47, 347/13, 347/40, 347/43, 347/12, 347/42
• US Class Current: 347/13
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04505 aiming at correcting alignment
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04508 aiming at correcting other parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0451 for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04528 aiming at warming up the head
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04541 Specific driving circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04543 Block driving
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04563 detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04573 Timing; Delays
• 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 2202/20 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/57 Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates or assessing vulnerabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/575 Secure boot
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/74 operating in dual or compartmented mode, i.e. at least one secure mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/1252 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference specially adapted for transmission systems H04B15/00, H04L25/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 : Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 : Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49401 : Fluid pattern dispersing device making, e.g., ink jet

Abstract

A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead in a predetermined order, the printhead comprising at least first and second printhead modules, each of which comprises a plurality of printing nozzles and being disposed adjacent each other such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than a printing width of either of the printhead modules, the printer controller being configured to order and time supply of the dot data to the printhead modules in accordance with their respective widths, such that a difference in relative widths of the printhead modules is at least partially compensated for.

Claims

1. A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead in a predetermined order, the printhead comprising at least first and second printhead modules of different printing widths, each of which comprises a plurality of rows of printing nozzles spanning the respectively different printing width, the printhead modules being disposed adjacent each other to define a page width printhead having rows of printing nozzles formed by the adjacent printing nozzle rows of the adjacent printhead modules, the printing nozzle rows of the printhead being configured so that there is at least one row for printing each ink color of a plurality of ink colors, the printer controller being configured to order and time supply of the dot data to the printhead modules in accordance with their respective printing widths, such that the difference in the printing widths of the printhead modules is at least partially compensated for in printing across the page width.

2. A printer controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to supply the dot data to the rows of nozzles in serial form.

3. A printer controller according to claim 2, wherein each of the printhead modules comprises one or more parallel pairs of the rows, the controller being configured to serially supply the data to a first of each of the rows of nozzles in the or each pair of rows, the data being serially clocked through the first row of the or each pair of rows, then through a second row of the or each pair or rows, until all printhead nozzles have received their respective data.

4. A printer controller according to claim 3, wherein the data is clocked through the second row in a direction substantially opposite to that in which it was clocked through the first row.