Patent ID: 6467864
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A system for providing an optimum energy pulse to a resistive heating element in an ink jet print head, whereby the energy pulse provides an optimal energy density at a surface of the resistive heating element to cause optimal nucleation of ink that is adjacent the surface of the resistive heating element, the system comprising:(a) storing in memory at least one heating element dimensional value that describes at least one physical dimension of the resistive heating element; (b) storing in memory at least one heating element electrical value that describes at least one electrical characteristic of the resistive heating element; (c) storing in memory an expression that provides a mathematical relationship between the at least one heating element dimensional value, the at least one heating element electrical value, and a current value representing an optimum amplitude of electrical current flowing through the heating element to generate the optimum energy pulse; (d) retrieving from memory the at least one heating element dimensional value, the at least one heating element electrical value, and the at least one expression; (e) determining, based on the at least one expression, the current value representing the optimum amplitude of electrical current flowing through the heating element to generate the optimum energy pulse; (f) generating the optimum energy pulse corresponding to the value determined in step (e); and (g) providing the optimum energy pulse to the heating element.