Patent ID: 6629742
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printhead comprising:MÃ—N printing elements; MÃ—N driving circuits for dividing said MÃ—N printing elements into N blocks each consisting of M printing elements and time-divisionally driving each block of M printing elements; a first shift register for inputting print signals corresponding to a number L of said M printing elements, wherein La second shift register for inputting print signals corresponding to (Mâˆ’L) of said M printing elements, and a select control signal for selecting one of the N blocks, wherein said (Mâˆ’L) print signals and said select control signal are input into said second shift register serially from a second signal line by using the clock signal, and for temporarily storing the input print signals and the select control signal; a selective driving circuit for driving said M printing elements belonging to a block selected on the basis of the select control signal, by the print signals which are stored in said first and second shift registers and correspond to said M printing elements; a first latch circuit for latching the print signals stored in said first shift register and corresponding to said L printing elements; a second latch circuit for latching the print signals stored in said second shift register and corresponding to said (Mâˆ’L) printing elements; and a third latch circuit for latching the select control signal stored in said second shift register, wherein L, M, and N are positive integers.