Patent ID: 6220695
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for controlling the operation of an electrostatic ink jet printing device of the type including a printing head comprising an ink chamber for housing an ink containing charged toner, an ink discharge port through which ink contained in said chamber may be ejected from said printing head, an electrophoretic electrode and a discharge electrode, said method comprising the acts of:monitoring an input signal which indicates whether or not ink is to be ejected form said chamber;controlling an electric field between said electrophoretic and discharge electrodes when said input signal indicates that ink is not to be ejected from said chamber so that said charged toner is not caused to collect around said ink discharge port; andcontrolling said electric field between said electrophoretic and discharge electrodes when said input signal indicates that ink is to be ejected from said chamber so that toner first accumulates at said ink discharge port for a sufficient period of time to permit a desired amount of charged toner to accumulate at said ink discharge port and thereafter ink is ejected through said ink discharge port.