Patent ID: RE39242

Claim:
A method of servicing an inkjet printer printhead comprising the steps of : providing a wiper mounted for movement with respect to the inkjet printer printhead in wiping contact therewith to remove unwanted accumulation from the printhead; providing a source of printhead servicing fluid; providing another inkjet printhead as a non-contact servicing fluid applicator and orienting said applicator to jet servicing fluid in a reproducible quantity onto a surface of the printhead of said inkjet printer and the wiper; transporting servicing fluid from said source to said applicator; jetting a reproducible quantity of servicing fluid from said an inkjet printhead used as a servicing fluid applicator through atmosphere onto at least one of the printhead of said inkjet printer and the a printhead wiper; and wiping contacting the printhead of the inkjet printer by moving with the wiper during relative movement of the wiper with respect to and the printhead of the inkjet printer to remove unwanted accumulation therefrom; vaporizing said servicing fluid to jet ejecting said fluid from said applicator printhead; and said servicing fluid being projected from said applicator printhead onto the printhead and said wiper; and ; counting drops of servicing fluid ejected from said applicator head ; and controlling the amount of servicing fluid applied to the printhead based on the counted number of drops.