Patent ID: 6276770
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B41J,G07B

Abstract:
A postage printing system, comprising:an ink jet printer including a print head for printing a postal indicia on a mailpiece;a control system in operative communication with the print head for:monitoring an initial temperature of the print head;causing the print head to print a test print;monitoring a subsequent temperature of the print head after completion of the test print;determining an actual temperature change using the initial temperature and the subsequent temperature;comparing the actual temperature change within an expected temperature change; andcontinuing normal operation of the postage printing system if the actual temperature change is within an acceptable range of the expected temperature change;wherein the ink jet printer further includes a maintenance system in selective operative engagement with the print head; andthe control system performs a maintenance operation on the print head before monitoring the initial temperature of the print head wherein:the test print is representative of the postal indicia.