Patent ID: 6664997
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of driving a fluorescent print head, said fluorescent print head having a filament cathode, a control electrode for controlling electrons emitted from said filament cathode, a fluorescent substance layer having a plurality of luminous dots each which emits light when electrons emitted from said filament cathode impinges against said fluorescent substance layer, and an anode on which said fluorescent substance layer is coated, wherein a pre-luminous period during which said luminous dots glow before an image is formed on a recording medium and a print luminous period during which said luminous dots glow to create an image on said recording medium are provided, said method comprising the steps of:during said pre-luminous period, controlling at least one of an anode voltage to be applied to said anode and a grid voltage to be applied to said control electrode, to a rated voltage or less in a print luminous mode; and controlling a filament voltage to be applied to said filament cathode to a rated voltage or less in a print luminous mode.