Patent ID: 7862145

Claim:
A printing apparatus which divides printing elements into blocks, and time-divisionally drives the printing elements of the respective blocks to discharge ink to a printing medium, the apparatus comprising: input means for externally inputting printing data; generation means for generating a timing signal of time-divisional driving; evaluation means for evaluating, based on the printing data input from said input means, a driving count at which the printing elements are driven; memory means for holding information on the driving count for each block; update means for updating the information on the driving count stored in said memory means, based on the driving count evaluated by said evaluation means in synchronism with the timing signal; determination means for determining, based on the information on the driving count updated by said update means, whether or not to adjust a printable time; adjustment means for adjusting the printable time in a predetermined period, based on determination by said determination means; and control means for performing preliminary discharge from the printing elements, based on the printable time adjusted by said adjustment means.