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:
Nov. 24, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2005
Yasutaka Mitani, Yokohama, JP;
Tadashi Yamamoto, Yokohama, JP;
Takuya Tsujimoto, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuhiro Unosawa, Toride, JP;
Yasutaka Mitani, Yokohama, JP;
Tadashi Yamamoto, Yokohama, JP;
Takuya Tsujimoto, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuhiro Unosawa, Toride, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A recording head includes an ink-discharging surface and nozzles. The ink-discharging surface is provided with ink-discharging ports of the nozzles. A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are disposed opposite each other close to the ink-discharging surface. The light-receiving element outputs a detection signal. A reflector is provided on the ink-discharging surface and reflects light emitted from the light-emitting element toward the light-receiving element. One of the nozzles is driven and whether the nozzle discharges an ink drop is checked on the basis of change in the detection signal due to interception of the reflected light by the ink drop. If the nozzle discharges an ink drop, then whether the nozzle discharges the ink drop in an appropriate direction is checked on the basis of change in the detection signal due to interception of the direct light by the ink drop.