# US 12,759,289 B2 · Control apparatus, inkjet printing apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,289 B2 - Document ID: US12759289B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/617,041 - Filed: 2024-03-26 - Published: 2024-10-03 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-03-28 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Masashi Hayashi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759289B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/04573: {Timing; Delays} - B41J 2/0458: {controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles} - G06F 3/1208: {resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview} - G06F 3/1217: {achieving reduced idle time at the output device or increased asset utilization} - G06F 3/124: {Parallel printing or parallel ripping} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract There is provided a control apparatus that comprises at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to count data representing outputs of a plurality of printing elements of a printhead in printing data used in one scan of the printhead of an inkjet printing apparatus, and based on a threshold and a printing dot count representing a sum of the data counted in the printing data, set at least one of (a) a wait time after printing according to the printing data or some of the printing data, and (b) division of the printing data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inkjet printing apparatus comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: count a number of printing dots in one scan executed based on printing data used in one scan of a printhead having a plurality of printing elements; and, as a condition that the counted number of printing dots does not exceed a threshold, without dividing the printing data used in one scan of the printhead, set a wait time after processing of the one scan such that an average printing dot count per unit time obtained from the counted number of printing dots does not exceed an allowable printing dot count per unit time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein based on information in which a number of printing dots in one scan and a wait time correspond to each other, the at least one processor sets the wait time corresponding to the counted number of printing dots. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the threshold is a value which is set as a maximum printing dot count in one scan, and the allowable printing dot count per unit time is a value which is set based on a restriction of an allowable average current amount per unit time in the inkjet printing apparatus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the counted number of printing dots exceeds the threshold, the at least one processor divides the printing data into first printing data associated with a first printing element group in the plurality of printing elements and second printing data associated with a second printing element group that is different from the first printing element group in the plurality of printing elements, and the at least one processor counts, as a first printing dot count, a number of printing dots in one scan executed based on the first printing data, and counts, as a second printing dot count, a number of printing dots in one scan executed based on the second printing data. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if the first printing dot count is not more than the threshold, and the second printing dot count is not more than the threshold, the at least one processor sets a wait time after processing of the one scan corresponding to the first printing dot count such that an average printing dot count per unit time obtained from the first printing dot count does not exceed the allowable printing dot count per unit time, and sets a wait time after processing of the one scan corresponding to the second printing dot count such that an average printing dot count per unit time obtained from the second printing dot count does not exceed the allowable printing dot count per unit time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if the first printing dot count is not more than the threshold, and the second printing dot count representing exceeds the threshold, the at least one processor divides the printing data into not less than three printing data respectively corresponding to not less than three printing element groups in the printing data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to obtain a printing mode of the printhead. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the printing mode includes pieces of information which associate a type and a printing quality of a print medium, a printing pass count of the printhead, a scan speed, and a maximum wait time, and the threshold is a maximum printing dot count corresponding to the maximum wait time and indicating an upper limit of a number of printing dots in one scan. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of printing elements comprise a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements, and the printhead comprises the plurality of printing elements and a plurality of discharge ports facing the plurality of printing elements and configured to discharge a printing material to a printing medium side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor sets a wait time such that a wait time after the printhead completes all printing operations according to printing data of one page to a time shorter than the wait time after printing according to some of the printing data of one page. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to control a printing operation of the printhead based on a setting result. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the wait time is executed before starting printing of the printhead. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: counting a number of printing dots in one scan executed based on printing data used in one scan of a printhead having a plurality of printing elements; and, as a condition that the counted number of printing dots does not exceed a threshold, without dividing the printing data used in one scan of the printhead, setting a wait time after processing of the one scan such that an average printing dot count per unit time obtained from the counted number of printing dots does not exceed an allowable printing dot count per unit time. ### Claim 14 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising: counting a number of printing dots in one scan executed based on printing data used in one scan of a printhead having a plurality of printing elements; and, as a condition that the counted number of printing dots does not exceed a threshold, without dividing the printing data used in one scan of the printhead, setting a wait time after processing of the one scan such that an average printing dot count per unit time obtained from the counted number of printing dots does not exceed an allowable printing dot count per unit time.