inkjet printer with determination of low tintenpegeln

摘要

Method and apparatus for using current in an ink-jet printer having a head (100) are provided. The head (100) comprises a plurality of nozzles (140, 142, 144) for each colour and nozzle driving units (150, 152, 154) for driving the plurality of nozzles (140, 142, 144). The method includes (a) detecting the amount of current flowing through the head (100), (b) dividing the detected amount of current by a unit current and determining the result of division as a first nozzle number, and (c) accumulating the first nozzle number and determining the result of accumulation as a second nozzle number. The state of the ink-jet printer is determined using the second nozzle number, and the unit current corresponds to current flowing through nozzles through which ink is ejected. The amount of current flowing through the head (100) can be detected, and the number of the ejected nozzles can be precisely obtained using the detected amount of current such that the amount of ink in use, the remaining amount of ink, or an ink deficiency degree for each colour is precisely checked, and malfunction of the nozzles (140, 142, 144) is recognized easily and quickly using the detected amount of current. IMAGE