Controller for printhead having arbitrarily joined nozzle rows

• US 8,038,239 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• 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): Uhlenhake; Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/958,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 347/5, 347/14, 347/19, 347/49
• US Class Current: 347/5
• 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 controller for a printhead is provided. The printhead has rows of printing nozzles with each nozzle row formed by adjacent sub-rows of printing nozzles of adjacently disposed printhead modules. Each nozzle row us arranged such that the join of the respective adjacent sub-rows is arbitrarily located relative to the other nozzle rows thereby forming an arbitrarily shaped join region. The controller being configured to determine the arbitrary shape of the join region and to supply dot data to the printhead which compensates for the determined arbitrary shape.

Claims

1. A controller for a printhead, the printhead having rows of printing nozzles with each nozzle row formed by adjacent sub-rows of printing nozzles of adjacently disposed printhead modules, each nozzle row being arranged such that the join of the respective adjacent sub-rows is arbitrarily located relative to the other nozzle rows thereby forming an arbitrarily shaped join region, the controller being configured to determine the arbitrary shape of the join region and to supply dot data to the printhead which compensates for the determined arbitrary shape.

2. A controller according to claim 1, wherein the arbitrary shape of the join region is a slope which creates similarly sloped regions at the non join ends of the sub-rows, the controller being configured to supply the dot data in an order in which dots are supplied for the sloped region of one printhead module, dots are then supplied for the adjacent sub-rows between the sloped regions, and then dots are supplied for the sloped region of the printhead module adjacent said one printhead module.

3. A controller according to claim 2, wherein the printhead has two printed modules and the region of the sub-rows between the sloped regions defines a printable region and the sloped regions define a non-printable region, the controller being configured to supply the dot data is said order such that a relative delay is introduced into the dot such that within the non-printable regions do not print.

4. A controller according to claim 1, wherein each printhead module is configured to print a plurality of independent inks, and wherein the nozzles in each nozzle row are configured to print in one of the inks.