Patent US6478400B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6478400B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Printing method and printer that effect dot dropout inspection and recording medium prerecorded with program therefore
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 2000-08-25
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Granted: 2002-11-12
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Expires: 2020-08-25
Abstract
Abstract An inspection is conducted to inspect for the presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets. When an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, a first make-up operation is conducted for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle by either unclogging the inoperative nozzle or using another active nozzle. The inspection may be conducted at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present. Further, cleaning may be conducted with respect to at least the inoperative nozzle when the inspection detects the inoperative nozzle, and the first make-up operation may be conducted when operation of the inoperative nozzle is not restored by a prescribed number of cleanings.
Inventors
- 👤 Hironori Endo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:38
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16579
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A printing method for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inspecting for a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and (b) when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A printing method for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inspecting for a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and (b) when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printing method according to claim 1 , wherein the step (a) is conducted at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printing method according to claim 2 , wherein the make-up operation is an operation of recording only dots on a main scanning line that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using another active nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A printing method according to claim 3 , wherein the step (b) includes the steps of: i) before the make-up operation, conducting a sub-scan feed of a transient first feed amount in order to position the another active nozzle on the main scanning line including the dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle; and ii) conducting the make-up operation using the another active nozzle; iii) after the make-up operation, conducting a sub-scan feed amount of a transient second feed amount in order to position the plurality of nozzles at a nozzle position of a next main scan of the ordinary printing operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A printing method according to claim 1 , wherein the step (b) includes the steps of: i) cleaning at least the inoperative nozzle when the inspection detects the inoperative nozzle; and ii) conducting the make-up operation using another active nozzle when operation of the inoperative nozzle is not restored by a prescribed number of cleanings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A printing method according to claim 5 , wherein step (a) is conducted at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A printing method according to claim 6 , wherein the step (b) further includes the step of: when operation of the inoperative nozzle is restored within the prescribed number of cleanings, conducting the make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using the restored active nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A printing method according to claim 7 , wherein the make-up operation is an operation of recording only dots on a main scanning line that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using the another active nozzle or the restored active nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A printing method according to claim 6 , wherein the step (b) includes the steps of: i) before the make-up operation, conducting a sub-scan feed of a transient first feed amount in order to position another active nozzle on the main scanning line including the dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle; and ii) conducting the make-up operation using the another active nozzle; iii) after the first make-up operation, conducting a sub-scan feed of a transient second feed amount in order to position the plurality of nozzles at a nozzle position of a next main scan of the ordinary printing operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, comprising: an inspection unit configured to inspect a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a make-up operation unit configured to conduct, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, comprising: an inspection unit configured to inspect a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a make-up operation unit configured to conduct, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printer according to claim 10 , wherein the inspection unit conducts the inspection at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A printer according to claim 11 , wherein the make-up operation is an operation of recording only dots on a main scanning line that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using another active nozzle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
A printer according to claim 11 , wherein before the make-up operation the makeup operation unit conducts a sub-scan feed of a transient first feed amount in order to position another active nozzle on the main scanning line including the dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle; the another active nozzle conducts the make-up operation; and after the make-up operation unit conducts a sub-scan feed amount of a transient second feed amount in order to position the plurality of nozzles at a nozzle position of a next main scan of the ordinary printing operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A printer according to claim 10 , further comprising: a cleaning unit configured to clean at least the inoperative nozzle when the inspection detects the inoperative nozzle; and wherein the make-up operation unit conducts the make-up operation using another active nozzle when operation of the inoperative nozzle is not restored by a prescribed number of cleanings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A printer according to claim 14 , wherein the inspection unit conducts the inspection at every main scan during a printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A printer according to claim 15 , wherein when operation of the inoperative nozzle is restored within the prescribed number of cleanings, the make-up operation unit conducts the make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using the restored active nozzle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A printer according to claim 16 , wherein the make-up operation is an operation of recording only dots on a main scanning line that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle using the another active nozzle or the restored active nozzle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
A printer according to claim 15 , wherein before the make-up operation the make-up operation unit conducts a sub-scan feed of a transient first feed amount in order to position the another active nozzle on the main scanning line including the dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle; the another active nozzle conducts the make-up operation; and after the make-up operation the make-up operation unit conducts a sub-scan feed of a transient second feed amount in order to position the plurality of nozzles at a nozzle position of a next main scan of the ordinary printing operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer including a printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the computer program causing the computer to implement: an inspection function for inspecting a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a make-up operation function for, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer including a printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the computer program causing the computer to implement: an inspection function for inspecting a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a make-up operation function for, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting a make-up operation for recording dots that should have been recorded by the inoperative nozzle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A storage medium according to claim 19 , wherein the inspection is conducted at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A storage medium according to claim 19 , the compram causing the computer to further implement: a cleaning function for cleaning at least the inoperative nozzle when the inspection detects the inoperative nozzle; and wherein the make-up operation is conducted using another active nozzle when operation of the inoperative nozzle is not restored by a prescribed number of cleanings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein the inspection is conducted at every main scan during an ordinary printing operation when no inoperative nozzle is present.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
115 words
A printing method for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the printing method comprising the steps of: (a) inspecting for a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and (b) when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
115 words
A printing method for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the printing method comprising the steps of: (a) inspecting for a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and (b) when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
A printing method according to claim 23 , wherein the step (b) includes the step of: displaying a plurality of processing procedures among which the user can select one; and wherein conducting the processing after the inspection is conducted in accordance with the processing procedure selected by the user from among the plurality of processing procedures.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printing method according to claim 23 , wherein the processing after the inspection is conducted in accordance with a processing procedure selected by the user before start of printing from among a plurality of processing procedures.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
116 words
A printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the printer comprising: an inspection unit configured to inspect a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a controller configured to conduct, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
116 words
A printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the printer comprising: an inspection unit configured to inspect a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a controller configured to conduct, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
A printer according to claim 26 , further comprising: a display device configure to display a plurality of processing procedures among which the user can select one; and wherein the controller conducts the processing after the inspection in accordance with the processing procedure selected by the user from among the plurality of processing procedures.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printer according to claim 26 , wherein the controller conducts the processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by the user before start of printing from among a plurality of processing procedures.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
134 words
A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer including a printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the computer program causing the computer to implement: an inspection function for inspecting a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a control function for, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
134 words
A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer including a printer for printing images by jetting ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles during main scanning to record dots on a surface of a printing medium, the computer program causing the computer to implement: an inspection function for inspecting a presence/absence of jetting of ink droplets from nozzles subject to inspection, during a printing operation that does not print a test pattern, to determine whether each nozzle subject to inspection is an operative nozzle capable of jetting ink droplets or an inoperative nozzle incapable of jetting ink droplets; and a control function for, when an inoperative nozzle is detected by the inspection, conducting processing after the inspection in accordance with a processing procedure selected by a user.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-11 | 2006-05-13 | 2006-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-11 | 2010-05-13 | 2010-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-05-13 | 2014-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |