Patent ID: 7341324
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing system, comprising: a printhead having plural portions each having an ink-ejecting nozzle located therein; plural temperature sensors each associated with one of said plural portions to monitor the temperature thereof; plural heating elements, each associated with one of said plural portions to apply heat thereto in response to a pre-warming signal; and a controller configured to generate separate pre-warming signals for each of the plural heating elements in response to the plural temperature sensors to elevate the temperature of at least one of said plural portions to a pre-warming temperature, wherein: the controller is configured to analyze which plural portions are required to eject ink during print swath; the controller is configured to continue to generate pre-warming signals for the required plural portions after printing of said print swath has begun; and while printing said print swath, after ink ejection from one of said plural portions is no longer required to complete said print swath, the controller is configured to cease to generate a pre-warming signal therefor.