Patent ID: 7946673
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing an inkjet printhead, prior to generating an image onto a receiving medium, the printhead containing a plurality of substantially closed ink ducts, each having an inlet opening and a nozzle, each of said ducts being operationally connected to a corresponding electro-mechanical transducer, the method comprising, for each of the plurality of ducts: arranging that the duct is filled with ink, prior to printing, generating a pressure wave in the ink, the pressure wave causing a deformation of the corresponding transducer which generates an electrical signal, analyzing the electrical signal in order to determine whether an undesirable obstruction is present, and to determine the nature of the undesirable obstruction, deciding on the basis of the analysis whether the inkjet printhead is ready to proceed and print the image using the analysis of the electrical signal, wherein, when it is determined that an undesirable obstruction is present, it is decided that the inkjet printhead is ready to proceed where the obstruction does not lead to any visible artifacts and otherwise where the print head is not ready to proceed.