Patent ID: 6454382
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A malfunctioning nozzle detection apparatus for detecting a malfunctioning inkjet nozzle among a plurality of nozzles within a printing head in a printer, the malfunctioning nozzle detection apparatus comprising:a testing media assembly being adapted for coupling within the printer, said testing media assembly being adapted for having a carriage of the printer positioned over said testing media assembly such that the nozzles can print a test image on said testing media assembly, said testing media assembly extending through a printing deck, said printing deck being positioned around said testing media assembly such that only a portion of said testing media assembly is exposed to the carriage of the printer, said printing deck being adapted for inhibiting environmental contamination of said test image when said test image is being printed; and a scanning assembly being adapted for coupling within the printer proximate said testing media assembly, said scanning assembly being for optically scanning said test image printed on said testing media assembly, said scanning assembly being adapted for operationally coupling to a controller of the printer such that the controller controls the print head to compensate for malfunctioning inkjet nozzles when said scanning assembly detects imperfections in said test image, said scanning assembly being positioned under said printing deck opposite the carriage of the printer such that said printing deck is adapted for inhibiting environmental contamination of said scanning assembly when said scanning assembly is scanning said test image.