Patent ID: 6398346
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet print head for use in an ink jet printing device, the print head controllable based at least in part on q number of first control signals and p number of third control signals, the print head comprising:a print head integrated circuit chip having: ink-heating resistors for generating heat when activated, each having a high side and a low side, the high side of each of the ink-heating resistors coupled to one of the p number of third control signals; and a switching circuit operable in either a first operating mode or a second operating mode, the switching circuit for selecting at least one of the ink-heating resistors for activation by coupling the low side of a selected ink-heating resistor to a common ground return, thereby allowing electrical current to flow through the selected ink-heating resistor, the switching circuit for selecting the selected ink-heating resistor depending at least in part on a state of the first control signal, where q is equivalent to q1 in the first operating mode, where q is equivalent to q2 in the second operating mode, where q1 is equivalent to twice q2, where p is equivalent to p1 in the first operating mode, where p is equivalent to p2 in the second operating mode, where p2 is equivalent to twice p1, and where the product of q1 multiplied by p1 in the first operating mode is equivalent to the product of q2 multiplied by p2 in the second operating mode; and operating mode selection means connected to the print head integrated circuit for determining, based on a configuration of the operating mode selection means, whether the switching circuit operates in the first operating mode or the second operating mode.