Patent ID: 6641246
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printer for printing images by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles, comprising:a print head having a plurality of nozzles; and a sensor including a light-emitting element configured to emit detection light which has a substantially circular cross-section and a light-receiving element configured to receive the detection light, and configured to inspect operation of a nozzle by determining whether the detection light has been blocked by the ink droplets ejected by the nozzle, the sensor further comprising: a first condensing element configured to condense the detection light; and an apertured element having a substantially circular aperture for the detection light, the aperture having a size of a same order as the cross-section of the detection light, wherein the detection light intersects an ejecting path of the ink droplets at an exit side of the apertured element and the first condensing element.