Printer, drive controller for print head, method of controlling print head drive, and temperature sensor

A print controller of a print head which includes:

• at least two rows of plural nozzles, from which ink drops are ejected;
• a plurality of driving elements, respectively associated with each nozzle;
• and
• a plurality of switching circuits, respectively associated with each row of nozzles, each switching circuit provided with a plurality of switching elements, respectively associated with each driving elements, each switching element supplies a signal to drive an associated driving element,
• the print controller comprising:
• a plurality of temperature detectors, each detecting temperature condition of an associated switching circuit and outputting a detecting signal in accordance with the detected temperature condition;
• and
• a controller, which determines temperature of each switching circuit based on the detecting signals transmitted via at least one signal line in a time sequence manner to drive the print head based on the determined temperatures,
• wherein the number of the signal line is less than the number of temperature detectors.

A temperature detector for a printing apparatus which includes:

• at least two rows of plural nozzles, from which ink drops are ejected;
• a plurality of driving elements, respectively associated with each nozzle;
• and
• a plurality of switching circuits, respectively associated with each row of nozzles, each switching circuit provided with a plurality of switching elements, respectively associated with each driving elements, each switching element supplies a signal to drive an associated driving element;
• and
• a controller, which drives the print head,
• the temperature detector comprising:
• a plurality of temperature detectors, each detecting temperature condition of an associated switching circuit and outputting a detecting signal in accordance with the detected temperature condition;
• at least one signal line for transmitting the detecting signal to the controller in a time sequence manner;
• and
• a temperature determinant provided with the controller, which determines temperature of each switching circuit based on the detecting signals to drive the print head based on the determined temperatures,
• wherein the number of the signal line is less than the number of temperature detectors.

A method of driving a print head which includes:

• at least two rows of plural nozzles, from which ink drops are ejected;
• a plurality of driving elements, respectively associated with each nozzle;
• a plurality of switching circuits, respectively associated with each row of nozzles, each switching circuit provided with a plurality of switching elements, respectively associated with each driving elements, each switching element supplies a signal to drive an associated driving element;
• and
• a plurality of temperature detectors, each detecting temperature condition of an associated switching circuit and outputting a detecting signal in accordance with the detected temperature conditions,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• selecting one of the detecting signals outputted form the respective temperature detectors;
• picking up the selected detecting signal via at least one single signal line;
• determining temperature of an associated switching circuit based on the selected detecting signal;
• and
• driving the head based on the determined temperature,
• wherein the number of the signal line is less than the number of temperature detectors.