Patent ID: 6511145
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet apparatus provided with an ink jet head provided with plural nozzles at least two of which each have a plurality of electrothermal transducing elements arranged to create air bubbles for discharging ink and to be driven individually, the ink jet apparatus comprising:temperature detection means for detecting temperatures of the ink jet head; data storing means for storing correction data to correct a variation of discharge amount between discharge nozzles or between discharge nozzle groups; driving means for applying driving signals, each including a main pulse to enable the electrothermal transducing elements to generate thermal energy for the creation of bubbles, a pre-pulse preceding the main pulse for heating in a manner not intensive enough to create any bubbles, and a quiescent time between the main pulse and the pre-pulse, in accordance with recording data; and controlling means for performing a first control to change the conditions of the pre-pulse in accordance with data stored in said data storing means, and also performing a second control to shift an application timing of main pulses between electrothermal transducing elements in each of one or more nozzles, wherein the first control is performed in accordance with the result of the detection by said temperature detection means to suppress a variation of discharge amount caused by changes in the temperature of ink, and the second control is performed in accordance with the data stored in said data storing means to suppress the variation of discharge amount caused by individual difference between discharge nozzles or discharge nozzle groups.