Patent ID: 6733100
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printing apparatus for performing printing using a printhead with a plurality of printing elements, comprising:reading means for reading information from storage means which is arranged on the printhead to store information regarding a defective printing element of the printhead; writing means for writing information, regarding a defective printing element of the printhead when the defective printing element is detected, to the storage means; determination means for determining a complementary printing element for masking printing data corresponding to each defective printing element indicated by the defective printing element information read by said reading means and complementarily printing the printing data corresponding to the defective printing element, wherein the masking printing data is formed on a printing position by a printing element, and a complementary printing element is determined for each defective printing element; and printing means for printing the printing data of each defective printing element on a printing position corresponding to the defective printing element using the complementary printing element determined by said determination means, wherein said determination means determines as the complementary printing element a printing element belonging to the same printing element line for performing printing with ink of the same color as the defective printing element, and said printing means prints the printing data of the defective printing element using the complementary printing element in a printing scan different from the printing scan in which the defective printing element should print the printing data.