PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK DISCHARGE STATE DETERMINATION METHOD

摘要

An embodiment of this invention is directed to determination of the ink discharge state of a printhead capable of accurately determining the discharge state of each nozzle while suppressing increases in the size and cost of an apparatus. In the embodiment, the ink discharge state of a printing apparatus including a printhead including a heater for discharging ink and a temperature sensor, and a driving unit configured to drive the heater is determined as follows. It is controlled to drive the heater by applying the first voltage for discharging ink, and drive the heater by applying the second voltage enough not to discharge the ink. Whether ink is normally discharged or discharge failure has occurred is determined based on information obtained from detected plural temperatures in regard to the application timing of the second voltage.

主权项

1. A printing apparatus comprising:
a printhead including a heater configured to generate heat energy for discharging ink, and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature; a driving unit configured to drive the heater; a control unit configured to control to drive the heater by said driving unit by applying a first voltage for discharging ink, and drive the heater by applying a second voltage enough not to discharge the ink; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on information obtained from a plurality of temperatures detected by the temperature sensor in regard to an application timing of the second voltage, whether ink is normally discharged or discharge failure has occurred.