The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2005
Filed:
May. 29, 2003
Isao Ebisawa, Tokyo, JP;
Isao Ebisawa, Tokyo, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A recording head has a subtank. The amount of ink remaining within the subtank is detected or calculated by a device, and the amount of ink necessary for an image of at least one recording sheet is calculated by another device. The two amounts of ink are compared. If it is determined that the ink remaining within the subtank is smaller, the recording head is moved to an ink replenishing mechanism provided outside of a printing range of a recording apparatus. The subtank mounted in the recording head is connected to the ink replenishing mechanism, and ink is supplied from the main tank. Ink replenishment is executed by a system for supplying ink using a pressurizing device or a negative-pressure device. By executing an operation of wiping ink adhering to a nozzle portion of the recording head and preliminary discharge not relating to printing after a recovery operation for the recording head, it is possible to realize stable ink discharge and obtain a high-quality image.