U.S. patent application number 16/478420 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for printing device temperature management.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Thomas P Abadilla, Bradley D Chung, Huy Le, Jeffrey K Pew.
Application Number | 20210129525 16/478420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005535213 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210129525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Le; Huy ; et al. |
May 6, 2021 |
PRINTING DEVICE TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT
Abstract
In some examples, printing device temperature management may
include ascertaining a print speed associated with a print job, and
comparing the print speed to a print speed threshold. Printing
device temperature management may further include actuating a power
supply associated with a print bar at a start position of physical
medium to be utilized for printing for the print job, or at or
beyond a specified location along a path associated with traversal
of the physical medium from the start position to a print zone to
reduce an operational temperature associated with the print
bar.
Inventors: |
Le; Huy; (Vancouver, WA)
; Chung; Bradley D; (Corvallis, OR) ; Abadilla;
Thomas P; (Corvallis, OR) ; Pew; Jeffrey K;
(Vancouver, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. |
Spring |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005535213 |
Appl. No.: |
16/478420 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
January 27, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/015432 |
371 Date: |
July 16, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 2/04515 20130101;
B41J 2/04528 20130101; G05D 23/1917 20130101; B41J 2/04553
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41J 2/045 20060101
B41J002/045; G05D 23/19 20060101 G05D023/19 |
Claims
1. A printing device temperature management apparatus comprising: a
processor; and a memory storing machine readable instructions that
when executed by the processor cause the processor to: ascertain a
print speed associated with a print job; in response to a
determination that the print speed is greater than or equal to a
specified print speed threshold, actuate a print bar heating power
supply and a print bar control power supply to respectively heat
and control operation of a print bar; and in response to a
determination that the print speed is less than the specified print
speed threshold, actuate, at or beyond a specified location along a
path associated with traversal of a physical medium from a start
position to a print zone, the print bar heating power supply and
the print bar control power supply to reduce an operational
temperature associated with the print bar.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein physical medium is
to be utilized for printing for the print job.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified
location is located along the path at a specified distance from the
print zone that is less than a total distance traversed by the
physical medium from the start position to the print zone.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine readable
instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the
processor to: determine whether the physical medium is a last
physical medium associated with the print job; in response to a
determination that the physical medium is the last physical medium
associated with the print job, determine whether printing
associated with the last physical medium is completed; in response
to a determination that printing associated with the last physical
medium is completed, de-actuate the print bar heating power supply
and the print bar control power supply to reduce the operational
temperature associated with the print bar.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine readable
instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the
processor to: determine whether the physical medium is a last
physical medium associated with the print job; in response to a
determination that the physical medium is the last physical medium
associated with the print job, determine whether printing
associated with the last physical medium is completed; and in
response to a determination that printing associated with the last
physical medium is completed, determine a lowest operational
temperature associated with the print bar to eject printing
material, eject the printing material at the lowest operational
temperature to reduce the operational temperature associated with
the print bar, and de-actuate the print bar heating power supply
and the print bar control power supply to reduce the operational
temperature associated with the print bar.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing
material includes black ink.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine readable
instructions to actuate, at or beyond the specified location along
the path associated with traversal of the physical medium from the
start position to the print zone, the print bar heating power
supply and the print bar control power supply to reduce the
operational temperature associated with the print bar further
comprise machine readable instructions to cause the processor to:
uncap the print bar; move the print bar to a print position; and
actuate, after uncapping of the print bar and movement of the print
bar to the print position, at or beyond the specified location
along the path associated with traversal of the physical medium
from the start position to the print zone, the print bar heating
power supply and the print bar control power supply to reduce the
operational temperature associated with the print bar.
8. A method for printing device temperature management, the method
comprising: ascertaining, by a processor, a print speed associated
with a print job; actuating, in response to a determination that
the print speed is greater than or equal to a specified print speed
threshold, a print bar heating power supply and a print bar control
power supply to respectively heat and control operation of a print
bar; and determining, in response to a determination that the print
speed is less than the specified print speed threshold, a distance
of physical medium from a print zone, and actuating, in response to
a determination that the distance of the physical medium from the
print zone is equal to a specified distance which is less than a
total distance traversed by the physical medium from a start
position to the print zone, at or beyond the specified distance,
the print bar heating power supply and the print bar control power
supply to reduce an operational temperature associated with the
print bar.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: determining
whether the physical medium is a last physical medium associated
with the print job; in response to a determination that the
physical medium is the last physical medium associated with the
print job, determining whether printing associated with the last
physical medium is completed; in response to a determination that
printing associated with the last physical medium is completed,
de-actuating the print bar heating power supply and the print bar
control power supply to reduce the operational temperature
associated with the print bar.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
determining whether the physical medium is a last physical medium
associated with the print job; in response to a determination that
the physical medium is the last physical medium associated with the
print job, determining whether printing associated with the last
physical medium is completed; and in response to a determination
that printing associated with the last physical medium is
completed, determining a low operational temperature associated
with the print bar to eject printing material, ejecting the
printing material at the low operational temperature to reduce the
operational temperature associated with the print bar, and
de-actuating the print bar heating power supply and the print bar
control power supply to reduce the operational temperature
associated with the print bar.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein actuating, in response
to the determination that the distance of the physical medium from
the print zone is equal to the specified distance, at or beyond the
specified distance, the print bar heating power supply and the
print bar control power supply to reduce the operational
temperature associated with the print bar further comprises:
uncapping the print bar; moving the print bar to a print position;
and actuating, after uncapping of the print bar and movement of the
print bar to the print position, in response to the determination
that the distance of the physical medium from the print zone is
equal to the specified distance, at or beyond the specified
distance, the print bar heating power supply and the print bar
control power supply to reduce the operational temperature
associated with the print bar.
12. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
machine readable instructions to provide printing device
temperature management, the machine readable instructions, when
executed, cause a processor to: ascertain a print speed associated
with a print job; compare the print speed to a print speed
threshold; and actuate, based on the comparison of the print speed
to the print speed threshold, at least one of a print bar heating
power supply and a print bar control power supply to respectively
heat and control operation of a print bar at a start position of
physical medium to be utilized for printing for the print job, or
at or beyond a specified location along a path associated with
traversal of the physical medium from the start position to a print
zone to reduce an operational temperature associated with the print
bar.
13. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim
12, wherein the specified location is located along the path at a
specified distance from the print zone that is less than a total
distance traversed by the physical medium from the start position
to the print zone.
14. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim
12, further comprising machine readable instructions, when
executed, further cause the processor to: determine whether the
physical medium is a last physical medium associated with the print
job; in response to a determination that the physical medium is the
last physical medium associated with the print job, determine
whether printing associated with the last physical medium is
completed; in response to a determination that printing associated
with the last physical medium is completed, de-actuate at least one
of the print bar heating power supply and the print bar control
power supply to reduce the operational temperature associated with
the print bar.
15. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim
12, further comprising machine readable instructions, when
executed, further cause the processor to: determine whether the
physical medium is a last physical medium associated with the print
job; in response to a determination that the physical medium is the
last physical medium associated with the print job, determine
whether printing associated with the last physical medium is
completed; and in response to a determination that printing
associated with the last physical medium is completed, determine a
reduced operational temperature associated with the print bar to
eject printing material, eject the printing material at the reduced
operational temperature to reduce the operational temperature
associated with the print bar, and de-actuate at least one of the
print bar heating power supply and the print bar control power
supply to reduce the operational temperature associated with the
print bar.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A printing device, such as a printer, multifunction printer,
and/or other such devices may be described as a peripheral which is
used to make a persistent human readable representation of graphics
or text on physical media such as paper. A printing device may
include various components to move the physical media from a first
location, such as an input tray, to a second location, such as an
output tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0002] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of
example and not limited in the following figure(s), in which like
numerals indicate like elements, in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a layout of a printing device temperature
management apparatus, according to an example of the present
disclosure;
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates a timeline for print bar control to
illustrate operation of the printing device temperature management
apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present
disclosure;
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph for print bar control to
illustrate operation of the printing device temperature management
apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present
disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram for printing device
temperature management, according to an example of the present
disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for printing
device temperature management, according to an example of the
present disclosure; and
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates a further block diagram for printing
device temperature management, according to an example of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present
disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples. In the
following description, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
disclosure. It will be readily apparent however, that the present
disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific
details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not
been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the
present disclosure.
[0010] Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "a" and "an"
are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. As
used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to,
the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term
"based on" means based at least in part on.
[0011] A printing device temperature management apparatus, a method
for printing device temperature management, and a non-transitory
computer readable medium having stored thereon machine readable
instructions to provide printing device temperature management are
disclosed herein. The apparatus, method, and non-transitory
computer readable medium disclosed herein provide printing device
temperature management, for example, with respect to management of
an operational temperature associated with a print bar (and/or
other components) of a printing device.
[0012] In printing devices such as page wide printers that may
include hundreds or thousands of nozzles, idling between print jobs
may result in blockage of nozzles due to cooling and heating of
printing material. For example, during idle periods of a printing
device, the printing material may cool to absorb air, and during
printing, the printing material may warm and release the absorbed
air. The warm printing material may bubble and thus block nozzles
of the printing device.
[0013] For example, when a printing device such as a page wide
printer has been idle at an ambient temperature of 15-17.degree. C.
or colder for a period of hours (e.g., 10 hours), hundreds of black
missing nozzles may occur as printing material cools and absorbs
more air. When the printing device begins to print again, local
black printing material close to nozzles warms and releases air.
This is because saturated warm printing material holds less air.
The printing material may continue to absorb heat from printing and
logic control power (e.g., print bar control power supply or
V.sub.dd as disclosed herein), causing air bubbles to grow in size
and eventually block nozzles from ejecting the printing material
onto physical media.
[0014] The apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable
medium disclosed herein overcome the aforementioned technical
challenges by providing for printing device temperature management
by ascertaining a print speed associated with a print job, and
determining whether the print speed is greater than or equal to a
specified print speed threshold (e.g., greater than or equal to 8
inches per second (ips)). In response to a determination that the
print speed is greater than or equal to the specified print speed
threshold, a print bar heating power supply (e.g., V.sub.pp) and a
print bar control power supply (e.g., V.sub.dd) may be actuated to
respectively heat and control operation of a print bar.
Alternatively, in response to a determination that the print speed
is less than the specified print speed threshold (e.g., less than 8
ips), the print bar heating power supply and the print bar control
power supply may be actuated at or beyond a specified location
(e.g., 0.5 inches from a print zone) along a path associated with
traversal of a physical medium from a start position (e.g., an
input tray) to the print zone (e.g., a zone of the printing device
where nozzles eject printing material onto physical media). In this
manner, the print bar heating power supply and the print bar
control power supply are not unnecessarily actuated (and
operational) upon receiving the print job, which provides for a
reduction in the operational temperature associated with the print
bar (and/or other components of a printing device). Further, the
print bar heating power supply and the print bar control power
supply are de-actuated after printing of a last physical medium,
instead of at a later stage.
[0015] According to an example, for the apparatus, method, and
non-transitory computer readable medium disclosed herein, energy
may be delivered to a print bar so as to turn the energy into heat
to warm printing material, and release heat faster to cool the
printing material. For the apparatus, method, and non-transitory
computer readable medium disclosed herein, the energy reduction may
be obtained by eliminating unnecessary power supply to the print
bar at the end of a print job and/or at the beginning of a print
job (e.g., turning off print bar warming (V.sub.pp) and V.sub.dd
after a last physical medium of a print job exits a print zone,
turning on print bar warming at a later stage when a physical
medium is closer to the print zone for a relatively slow speed
print job). In order to prevent the printing material from becoming
too hot and to cool the printing material faster, a gap spit may be
changed to spit at a relatively lower temperature compared to a
temperature of the print bar during ejection of printing material
(e.g., 55.degree. C. instead of 60.degree. C.). Further, cold end
job spit servicing may also be added at the last physical medium of
a print job.
[0016] For the apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer
readable medium disclosed herein, modules, as described herein, may
be any combination of hardware and programming to implement the
functionalities of the respective modules. In some examples
described herein, the combinations of hardware and programming may
be implemented in a number of different ways. For example, the
programming for the modules may be processor executable
instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage
medium and the hardware for the modules may include a processing
resource to execute those instructions. In these examples, a
computing device implementing such modules may include the
machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the
processing resource to execute the instructions, or the
machine-readable storage medium may be separately stored and
accessible by the computing device and the processing resource. In
some examples, some modules may be implemented in circuitry.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a layout of a printing device temperature
management apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as "apparatus
100"), according to an example of the present disclosure.
[0018] In some examples, the apparatus 100 may include or be
provided as a component of a print server for processing print data
before the processed print data is transmitted to a printing
apparatus, such as an inkjet printer, or any type of printing
device. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100
may be a component of a printing device 150.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 may include print
speed analysis module 102 to ascertain a print speed 104 associated
with a print job 106.
[0020] In response to a determination by the print speed analysis
module 102 that the print speed 104 is greater than or equal to a
specified print speed threshold 108, a print bar heating power
supply control module 110 and a print bar control power supply
control module 112 may respectively actuate a print bar heating
power supply 114 and a print bar control power supply 116 to
respectively heat and control operation of a print bar 118. In this
regard, the print bar heating power supply 114 and the print bar
control power supply 116 being actuated upon receipt of the print
job 106 may ensure that throughput of a relatively high speed print
job 106 is not negatively affected due to delay in warming of the
print bar 118.
[0021] Alternatively, in response to a determination that the print
speed 104 is less than the specified print speed threshold 108, the
print bar heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar
control power supply control module 112 may respectively actuate,
at or beyond a specified location 120 along a path associated with
traversal of a physical medium 122 from a start position 124 to a
print zone 126, the print bar heating power supply 114 and the
print bar control power supply 116 to reduce an operational
temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118. In this regard,
the operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118
may represent the operational temperature 128 of components such as
a print head, a pen, nozzles, etc., associated with the print bar
118. Further, with the print bar heating power supply 114 and the
print bar control power supply 116 being actuated at or beyond the
specified location 120, this ensures that throughput of the
relatively low speed print job 106 is not negatively affected.
[0022] According to an example, the physical medium 122 may be
utilized for printing for the print job 106. For example, the
physical medium 122 may include paper.
[0023] According to an example, the specified location 120 may be
located along the path at a specified distance (e.g., 0.5 inches)
from the print zone 126, where the specified distance is less than
a total distance traversed by the physical medium 122 from the
start position 124 to the print zone 126. For example, assuming
that the total distance traversed by the physical medium 122 from
the start position 124 to the print zone 126 is approximately eight
(8) inches, the specified location 120 may be located along the
path at a specified distance (e.g., 0.5 inches) that is less than
the total distance (e.g., 8 inches) traversed by the physical
medium 122 from the start position 124 to the print zone 126. The
specified location 120 may correspond to various positions and/or
operations associated with the print job 106. For example, the
specified location 120 may correspond to a position of a particular
feed roller in association with the print zone 126 of the printing
device 150.
[0024] According to an example, prior to actuating at or beyond the
specified location 120 along the path associated with traversal of
the physical medium 122 from the start position 124 to the print
zone 126, a print bar control module 130 may uncap the print bar
118, and move the print bar 118 to a print position. Further, the
print bar heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar
control power supply control module 112 may respectively actuate,
after uncapping of the print bar 118 and movement of the print bar
118 to the print position, at or beyond the specified location 120
along the path associated with traversal of the physical medium 122
from the start position 124 to the print zone 126, the print bar
heating power supply 114 and the print bar control power supply 116
to reduce the operational temperature 128 associated with the print
bar 118.
[0025] The apparatus 100 may further include a print job analysis
module 132 to determine whether the physical medium 122 is a last
physical medium associated with the print job 106. In response to a
determination that the physical medium 122 is the last physical
medium associated with the print job 106, the print job analysis
module 132 may determine whether printing associated with the last
physical medium is completed. Further, in response to a
determination that printing associated with the last physical
medium is completed, the print bar heating power supply control
module 110 and the print bar control power supply control module
112 may respectively de-actuate the print bar heating power supply
114 and the print bar control power supply 116 to reduce the
operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118. That
is, as discussed above, the print bar heating power supply 114 and
the print bar control power supply 116 are de-actuated
simultaneously after printing of a last physical medium, instead of
at a later stage.
[0026] The apparatus 100 may further include a print bar
operational temperature determination module 134 to determine a
lowest (or low, reduced, etc.) operational temperature 128 of the
print bar 118. In this regard, in response to a determination that
printing associated with the last physical medium is completed, the
print bar operational temperature determination module 134 may
determine the lowest operational temperature 128 of the print bar
118. Further, a printing material ejection module 136 may actuate
the print bar 118 to eject the printing material 138 at the lowest
operational temperature 128 to reduce the operational temperature
128 associated with the print bar 118. For example, the printing
material ejection module 136 may actuate the print bar 118 to eject
the printing material 138 at 30.degree. C. (compared to a higher
operational temperature of 60.degree. C.) to reduce the operational
temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118. According to an
example, the printing material ejection module 136 may actuate the
print bar 118 to eject a specified number of drops per nozzle
(e.g., 10 drops per nozzle) at the lowest operational temperature
128 to reduce the operational temperature 128 associated with the
print bar 118. The ejection of the printing material 138 at the
lowest operational temperature 128 also provides for release of
micro air bubbles inside nozzle chambers of the print bar 118, and
entry of fresh printing material 138 into nozzle chambers to reduce
the operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118
(e.g., the operational temperature of a pen associated with the
print bar 118). After ejection of the printing material 138 at the
lowest operational temperature 128, the print bar heating power
supply control module 110 and the print bar control power supply
control module 112 may respectively de-actuate the print bar
heating power supply 114 and the print bar control power supply 116
to reduce the operational temperature 128 associated with the print
bar 118.
[0027] Based on the reduction in the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118, residual micro air bubbles
within the printing material 138 have less thermal energy to grow
inside and block nozzles of the print bar 118 from firing. Further,
based on the reduction in the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118, excessive heat from an orifice
plate associated with the print bar 118 may be removed to cool the
print bar 118, which thus reduces the evaporation rate at nozzles.
Further, based on the reduction in the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118, residual printing material on
orifice plates may remain wetter to facilitate servicing to reduce
printing material sludge around a die edge and endcap associated
with the print bar 118.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a timeline for print bar control to
illustrate operation of the apparatus 100, according to an example
of the present disclosure.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, according to an example, at location
200, a print job 106 may be received. At location 200, the print
bar 118 may be uncapped. The print speed analysis module 102 may
ascertain the print speed 104 associated with the print job 106. In
response to a determination by the print speed analysis module 102
that the print speed 104 is greater than or equal to a specified
print speed threshold 108 (e.g., 8 ips), the print bar heating
power supply control module 110 and the print bar control power
supply control module 112 may respectively actuate the print bar
heating power supply 114 (e.g., V.sub.pp) and the print bar control
power supply 116 (e.g., V.sub.dd) to respectively heat and control
operation of the print bar 118.
[0030] At location 202, in response to a determination that the
print speed 104 is less than the specified print speed threshold
108 (e.g., 8 ips), the print bar heating power supply control
module 110 and the print bar control power supply control module
112 may respectively actuate, at or beyond the specified location
120 (e.g., 0.6 inches from the print zone 126) along a path
associated with traversal of the physical medium 122 from the start
position 124 to the print zone 126, the print bar heating power
supply 114 and the print bar control power supply 116 to reduce the
operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118.
[0031] At location 204, in response to a determination that the
physical medium 122 is the last physical medium associated with the
print job 106, the print job analysis module 132 may determine
whether printing associated with the last physical medium is
completed. Further, in response to a determination that printing
associated with the last physical medium is completed, the print
bar heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar
control power supply control module 112 may respectively de-actuate
the print bar heating power supply 114 and the print bar control
power supply 116 to reduce the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118. Yet further, at location 204,
the printing material ejection module 136 may actuate the print bar
118 to eject the printing material 138 at the lowest operational
temperature 128 to reduce the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118. For example, the printing
material ejection module 136 may actuate the print bar 118 to eject
the printing material 138 at 30.degree. C. (compared to a higher
operational temperature of 60.degree. C.) to reduce the operational
temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118. Yet further, the
printing material ejection module 136 may actuate the print bar 118
to eject a specified number of drops per nozzle (e.g., 10 drops per
nozzle) at the lowest operational temperature 128 to reduce the
operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph for print bar control to
illustrate operation of the apparatus 100, according to an example
of the present disclosure.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, at location 300, assuming that the
print speed 104 is less than the specified print speed threshold
108 (e.g., 8 ips), the print bar heating power supply control
module 110 and the print bar control power supply control module
112 may respectively actuate, at or beyond the specified location
120 (e.g., 0.6 inches from the print zone 126) along a path
associated with traversal of the physical medium 122 from the start
position 124 to the print zone 126, the print bar heating power
supply 114 and the print bar control power supply 116 to reduce the
operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar 118.
[0034] At location 302, the print bar 118 may heat to 55.degree.
C., with an end of service temperature being approximately
57.degree. C.
[0035] At location 304, in response to a determination that the
physical medium 122 is the last physical medium associated with the
print job 106, the print job analysis module 132 may determine
whether printing associated with the last physical medium is
completed. Further, in response to a determination that printing
associated with the last physical medium is completed, the print
bar heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar
control power supply control module 112 may respectively de-actuate
the print bar heating power supply 114 and the print bar control
power supply 116 to reduce the operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118.
[0036] At location 306, another print job 106 may be received, and
the processes at 300 and 302 may be repeated.
[0037] At location 308, the print bar pen may be capped.
[0038] FIGS. 4-6 respectively illustrate a block diagram 400, a
flowchart of a method 500, and a further block diagram 600 for
printing device temperature management, according to examples. The
block diagram 400, the method 500, and the block diagram 600 may be
implemented on the apparatus 100 described above with reference to
FIG. 1 by way of example and not limitation. The block diagram 400,
the method 500, and the block diagram 600 may be practiced in other
apparatus. In addition to showing the block diagram 400, FIG. 4
shows hardware of the apparatus 100 that may execute the
instructions of the block diagram 400. The hardware may include a
processor 402, and a memory 404 storing machine readable
instructions that when executed by the processor cause the
processor to perform the instructions of the block diagram 400. The
memory 404 may represent a non-transitory computer readable medium.
FIG. 5 may represent a method for printing device temperature
management, and the steps of the method. FIG. 6 may represent a
non-transitory computer readable medium 602 having stored thereon
machine readable instructions to provide printing device
temperature management. The machine readable instructions, when
executed, cause a processor 604 to perform the instructions of the
block diagram 600 also shown in FIG. 6.
[0039] The processor 402 of FIG. 4 and/or the processor 604 of FIG.
6 may include a single or multiple processors or other hardware
processing circuit, to execute the methods, functions and other
processes described herein. These methods, functions and other
processes may be embodied as machine readable instructions stored
on a computer readable medium, which may be non-transitory (e.g.,
the non-transitory computer readable medium 602 of FIG. 6), such as
hardware storage devices (e.g., RAM (random access memory), ROM
(read only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM
(electrically erasable, programmable ROM), hard drives, and flash
memory). The memory 404 may include a RAM, where the machine
readable instructions and data for a processor may reside during
runtime.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, and particularly to the block
diagram 400 shown in FIG. 4, at block 406, the memory 404 may
include instructions to ascertain (e.g., by the print speed
analysis module 102) a print speed 104 associated with a print job
106.
[0041] At block 408, the memory 404 may include instructions to
actuate (e.g., by the print bar heating power supply control module
110 and the print bar control power supply control module 112), in
response to a determination that the print speed 104 is greater
than or equal to a specified print speed threshold 108, a print bar
heating power supply 114 and a print bar control power supply 116
to respectively heat and control operation of a print bar 118.
[0042] At block 410, the memory 404 may include instructions to
actuate, in response to a determination that the print speed 104 is
less than the specified print speed threshold 108, at or beyond a
specified location 120 along a path associated with traversal of a
physical medium 122 from a start position 124 to a print zone 126,
the print bar heating power supply 114 and the print bar control
power supply 116 to reduce an operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, and 5, and particularly FIG. 5, for
the method 500, at block 502, the method may include ascertaining
(e.g., by the print speed analysis module 102) a print speed 104
associated with a print job 106.
[0044] At block 504, the method may include actuating (e.g., by the
print bar heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar
control power supply control module 112), in response to a
determination that the print speed 104 is greater than or equal to
a specified print speed threshold 108, a print bar heating power
supply 114 and a print bar control power supply 116 to respectively
heat and control operation of a print bar 118.
[0045] At block 506, the method may include determining, in
response to a determination that the print speed 104 is less than
the specified print speed threshold 108, a distance of physical
medium 122 from a print zone 126, and actuating, in response to a
determination that the distance of the physical medium 122 from the
print zone 126 is equal to a specified distance which is less than
a total distance traversed by the physical medium 122 from a start
position 124 to the print zone 126, at or beyond the specified
distance, the print bar heating power supply 114 and the print bar
control power supply 116 to reduce an operational temperature 128
associated with the print bar 118.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, and 6, and particularly FIG. 6, for
the block diagram 600, at block 606, the non-transitory computer
readable medium 602 may include instructions to ascertain (e.g., by
the print speed analysis module 102) a print speed 104 associated
with a print job 106.
[0047] At block 608, the non-transitory computer readable medium
602 may include instructions to compare (e.g., by the print speed
analysis module 102) the print speed 104 to a print speed threshold
108.
[0048] At block 610, the non-transitory computer readable medium
602 may include instructions to actuate (e.g., by the print bar
heating power supply control module 110 and the print bar control
power supply control module 112), based on the comparison of the
print speed 104 to the print speed threshold 108, a print bar
heating power supply 114 and/or a print bar control power supply
116 to respectively heat and/or control operation of a print bar
118 at a start position 124 of physical medium 122 to be utilized
for printing for the print job 106, or at or beyond a specified
location 120 along a path associated with traversal of the physical
medium 122 from the start position 124 to a print zone 126 to
reduce an operational temperature 128 associated with the print bar
118.
[0049] What has been described and illustrated herein is an example
along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and
figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and
are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within
the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be
defined by the following claims--and their equivalents--in which
all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless
otherwise indicated.
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