Evaluating print nozzle condition
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsDaryl E. Anderson, Eric T. Martin, Peter James Fricke, James Michael Gardner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for evaluating the condition of a print nozzle are described. In one example, impedances across the print nozzle are measured. Subsequently, first test result and second test result are determined and registered at a first predetermined time instant and at a second predetermined time instant, respectively. The first test result and the second test result are obtained based on the measured impedances. Based on the first test result and the second test result, the condition of the print nozzle, is determined.
Claims15
A method for evaluating the condition of a print nozzle, the method comprising:
- measuring impedances across the print nozzle;
- registering onto a print the circuitry of the print nozzle, at least at a first predetermined time instant and at a second predetermined time instant, a first test result and a second test result, respectively, obtained based on the measured impedances, wherein each of the first predetermined time instant and the second predetermined time instant are measured with respect to a firing pulse;
- evaluating the condition of the print nozzle based on the first test result and the second test result.
A print head of a printer, the print head comprising:
- a print nozzle;
- a drive bubble detect module provided onto a print die of the print head and communicatively coupled to the print nozzle, wherein the drive bubble detect module,
- registers onto a print die, at a first predetermined time instant, an ink_out test result obtained based on a voltage measured across the print nozzle,
- determines condition of the print nozzle based on the ink_out test result,
- a timing circuitry coupled to the drive bubble detect module, wherein the timing circuitry activate the drive bubble detect module, at the first predetermined time instant, to register the ink_out test result.
A printer comprising:
- a print nozzle;
- a sensor provided within the print nozzle;
- a drive bubble detect module implemented on a print head die, the drive bubble detect module to,
- register a first test result based on comparing a first measure of impedance across the print nozzle, at a first predetermined time instant;
- register a second test result based on comparing a second measure of impedance across the print nozzle, at a second predetermined time instant;
- and
- determine a condition of the print nozzle based on the first test result and the second test result.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.