Working method of ink-jet printer, storage medium and ink-jet printer
By adding an idle signal line for nozzles with fewer than the total ink colors in the inkjet printer to enable data communication, the problem of limited data transmission time in monochrome printing mode is solved, thereby increasing the jetting frequency and improving printing efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511417447.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-16
AI Technical Summary
In monochrome printing mode, existing inkjet printers are limited by hardware structure in terms of data transmission time, which cannot be further reduced by conventional means, resulting in high costs for increasing the inkjet frequency.
In inkjet printers, data communication is achieved by adding idle signal lines to nozzles that produce fewer ink colors than the total ink color. These idle signal lines are used to increase the ejection frequency, thus avoiding the need to increase the number of signal lines or improve the data transmission rate.
Without increasing hardware costs, the jetting frequency was increased, thus improving printing efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN121340807A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an inkjet printer operating method, a storage medium, and an inkjet printer. Background Technology
[0002] Inkjet printers typically include nozzles for ejecting ink, heaters to power the ink jet, and signal lines that receive data instructing the nozzles to eject ink. During printing, this signal line transmits the nozzle position data, specifying the ink to be ejected, to the print head. The heated ink is then atomized into tiny liquid particles and sprayed onto the printing paper.
[0003] In existing inkjet printers, printheads can be divided into two types: monochrome output and multicolor output. Multicolor printheads typically employ a design where each color is configured independently, meaning each color has its own dedicated nozzle group, heater module, and data signal channel. During the printing process, inkjet data for each color is generated separately and transmitted through the corresponding color's dedicated signal line.
[0004] The time required for all nozzle data transmission depends on the number of signal lines in each color channel of the printhead, the data transmission bit rate of the signal lines, and the actual number of nozzles in use. However, the data transmission time is a rigid parameter determined by the printhead hardware structure and circuit design, and cannot be further reduced by conventional means without changing the hardware structure and circuit design.
[0005] In certain printing modes, such as monochrome printing using only black ink, although the controller only sends data signals for the black channel to the print head, it still needs to send zero-data fill signals for the other color channels. Because the amount of data transmitted for each color channel remains constant, the maximum ejection frequency remains consistent even in monochrome printing mode compared to multi-color printing. Increasing the ejection frequency requires hardware improvements such as increasing the data transmission rate or adding more signal lines for each color channel, which also means higher manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The first problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a working method for an inkjet printer that addresses the aforementioned prior art, enabling an increase in ejection frequency in a working mode that uses fewer ink colors than the total number of ink colors, without increasing data transmission speed or the number of signal lines.
[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program / instruction that can be executed by a processor to implement the aforementioned inkjet printer operation method.
[0008] The third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that applies the aforementioned working method in light of the prior art.
[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a working method of an inkjet printer, characterized in that: the print head of the inkjet printer includes nozzles of N ink colors, and the print head is connected to N sets of signal lines for data communication, where N is a positive integer and N≥2;
[0010] The working method of an inkjet printer includes the following steps:
[0011] S1. Obtain the number of ink colors used in the print job, x.
[0012] S2. Compare x with the total number of ink colors N in the print head. If x < N, proceed to step S3.
[0013] S3. For nozzles of at least one ink color, in addition to configuring a set of signal lines, at least one unloaded signal line without printing information is added for data communication.
[0014] Optionally, when the number of ink colors used in a printing task x is equal to the total number of ink colors N in the print head, the nozzles controlling each ink color communicate data via signal lines according to the pre-configured group number.
[0015] Optionally, when the number of ink colors used in a printing task x is equal to the total number of ink colors N in the print head, the signal lines controlling the nozzles of each ink color are randomly configured with different group numbers for data communication.
[0016] As an improvement, in step S3, firstly, a set of signal lines is configured for each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task. Then, according to the usage frequency of different ink colors in the printing task from high to low, an unloaded signal line is added to the printhead of the corresponding ink color. Then, each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task communicates according to the configured signal lines.
[0017] As an improvement, in step S3, a set of signal lines is first configured for each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task, and the configuration of each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task with the idle signal line is randomly performed, so that at least one ink color nozzle is configured with an additional idle signal line, and then each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task communicates according to the configured signal line.
[0018] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is: a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program / instruction thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the aforementioned working method of an inkjet printer.
[0019] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the third technical problem mentioned above is as follows: an inkjet printer, including a printhead, a controller, and a memory, wherein the printhead has nozzles of N ink colors, N≥2, and the controller is communicatively connected to the printhead through N sets of signal lines; the memory is electrically connected to the controller, and the memory stores computer programs / instructions, which, when executed by the controller, implement the aforementioned working method of the inkjet printer.
[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: In the operation of the inkjet printer of the present invention, when the number of ink colors used is less than the total number of ink colors, the idle signal line that does not transmit printing data can be configured to the nozzle of the ink color used in the printing task, thereby increasing the number of nozzle signal lines, reducing the number of clock cycles required to send single-layer data, thereby shortening the time required for single-layer data transmission, and ultimately achieving the goal of increasing the jetting frequency.
[0021] Inkjet printers that utilize this working method increase nozzle ejection frequency and improve printing efficiency without increasing data transmission rates or the number of signal lines, i.e., without incurring additional hardware costs. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an inkjet printer in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data communication using a set of signal lines for a printhead of an ink color according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a printhead for ink color uses three signal lines for data communication in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0026] The inkjet printer of this invention includes a printhead, a controller, and a memory. The printhead has nozzles for N ink colors, where N is a positive integer and N≥2. The controller communicates with the printhead via N sets of signal lines, the same number as the number of ink colors. The specific number of N is determined according to the printer's configuration; in this embodiment, N=4, but N can also be other numbers. The printhead specifically has nozzles for ejecting four colors of ink. Depending on the printer product, the number of signal lines in each set varies; in this embodiment, each set of signal lines includes two limit lines.
[0027] The memory is electrically connected to the controller. The memory stores computer programs / instructions, which, when executed by the controller, implement the following inkjet printer operation method.
[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the working method of the inkjet printer in this embodiment includes the following steps S1 to S4.
[0029] S1. Obtain the number of ink colors used in the print job, x.
[0030] S2. Compare x with the total number of ink colors N in the print head. If x < N, that is, the number of ink colors used in the printing task is less than the total number of ink colors, then proceed to step S3.
[0031] S3. For nozzles of at least one ink color, in addition to configuring a set of signal lines, at least one unloaded signal line without printing information shall be added for data communication.
[0032] S4. Control the nozzles to communicate data via the configured signal lines to perform printing operations.
[0033] For cases where x < N, such as when the printing task only requires monochrome ink, there will be three additional sets of unused signal lines without printing data. In this case, based on the configuration of one basic signal line, at least one of the remaining three sets of unused signal lines can be added to the monochrome printhead as needed. Accordingly, the monochrome printhead should have at least one set of signal lines plus one additional signal line, that is, the monochrome printhead should have at least 3 signal lines for data communication. Of course, two or more unused signal lines can also be added to the monochrome printhead as needed.
[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, when each color nozzle is configured with a set of signal lines, data transmission is synchronized with the clock, transmitting 2 data points per clock cycle. Additionally, a data latch signal is required every 16 clock cycles, and each data latch signal can transmit 32 data points. In this mode, to transmit the data for one slice, we can calculate 640 ÷ 32 = 20, meaning 20 data latch signals are needed. In other words, it takes 20 × 16 = 320 clock cycles.
[0035] like Figure 3As shown, if a printhead for a single ink color is configured with three signal lines, data transmission is synchronized with the clock, and a maximum of three data points can be transmitted per clock cycle. Additionally, a data latch signal is required every 12 clock cycles, and each data latch signal can transmit 32 data points. In this mode, to transmit the data for one slice, calculating 640 ÷ 32 = 20, 20 data latch signals are also required. However, the required clock cycles are 20 × 12 = 240 clock cycles, increasing the data transmission rate and enabling the transmission of one slice of data 75% of the time. This means the printhead's ejection frequency can be increased by 25%.
[0036] However, in actual use, the ink colors used in a printing task may be two, three, or all of them. The number of unused signal lines varies depending on the number of ink colors used, necessitating a method to rationally allocate these unused signal lines. For step S3, various signal line configuration methods can be used to allocate the unused signal lines, ensuring their full utilization for transmitting printing information and increasing the printhead's ejection frequency.
[0037] One method for allocating signal lines is as follows: In step S3, firstly, a set of signal lines is configured for each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task. Then, according to the usage frequency of different ink colors in the printing task from high to low, an unused signal line is added to the corresponding printhead of the ink color. Then, the printheads of the ink colors used in the printing task communicate according to the configured signal lines. For example, for four different ink colors A, B, C, and D, if the printer task only uses ink colors A, B, and C, and the usage frequency of ink colors A, B, and C decreases sequentially, the four sets of signal lines include eight signal lines. First, a set of signal lines is allocated to each printhead corresponding to ink colors A, B, and C. This leaves one set of unused signal lines, which contains two unused signal lines. These two unused signal lines are then configured to the printheads corresponding to the two ground ink colors A and B, respectively, to increase the ejection frequency of these two ink colors.
[0038] Another signal line allocation method is as follows: In step S3, firstly, a set of signal lines is configured for each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task. Then, the configuration of each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task with the idle signal lines is randomly performed, so that at least one ink color nozzle is assigned an additional idle signal line. Then, each printhead of the ink color used in the printing task communicates according to the configured signal lines. For example, for four different ink colors A, B, C, and D, if the printer task only uses ink colors A, B, and C, and the usage frequency of ink colors A, B, and C decreases sequentially, the four sets of signal lines include eight signal lines. First, a set of signal lines is allocated to each printhead corresponding to ink colors A, B, and C. This leaves one set of idle signal lines, which contains two idle signal lines. These two idle signal lines are randomly assigned to any two of the ink colors A, B, and C corresponding to the printheads, thereby increasing the ejection frequency of the corresponding printheads.
[0039] For printing tasks that require the use of all ink colors, i.e. when the number of ink colors used in the printing task x is equal to the total number of ink colors N in the print head, the nozzles controlling each ink color communicate data according to the signal lines of the pre-configured group number, or the nozzles controlling each ink color communicate data by randomly configuring signal lines of different group numbers.
[0040] The inkjet printer operation method of this invention, when there are unused signal lines, abandons the existing technology of filling these unused signal lines with zero data. Instead, it assigns these unused signal lines to the nozzles that perform inkjet printing. In this way, by utilizing these unused signal lines, the number of signal lines of the inkjet printing nozzles is increased without the need for additional hardware such as increasing the data transmission rate or increasing the number of signal lines. This reduces the number of clock cycles required to send single-layer data, thereby shortening the time required for single-layer data transmission and ultimately achieving the goal of increasing the jetting frequency.
[0041] Inkjet printers that utilize this working method increase nozzle ejection frequency and improve printing efficiency without increasing data transmission rates or the number of signal lines, i.e., without incurring additional hardware costs.
[0042] The present invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program / instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the aforementioned method of operating an inkjet printer.
[0043] The specification and claims of this invention use terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the invention. However, these terms are used herein merely for ease of explanation and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.
Claims
1. A method of operation of an inkjet printer, characterized by: The print head in an inkjet printer comprises N ink color nozzles, and N groups of signal lines are connected to the print head for data communication, wherein N is a positive integer, N≥2; The working method of the inkjet printer comprises the following steps: S1, obtaining the number x of ink colors used in a printing task; S2, comparing x with the total number N of ink colors in the print head, if x S3, for the nozzles of at least one ink color, on the basis of configuring a group of signal lines, at least one idle signal line without printing information is added for data communication.
2. The method of operating an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the number x of ink colors used in the printing task is equal to the total number N of ink colors in the print head, the nozzles of each ink color are controlled to perform data communication according to the signal lines of the pre-configured group number.
3. The method of operating an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein: When the number x of ink colors used in the printing task is equal to the total number N of ink colors in the print head, the nozzles of each ink color are controlled to perform data communication according to the signal lines of the pre-configured group number.
4. The method of operating an inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In step S3, a group of signal lines is configured for each print head of the ink colors used in the printing task, then one idle signal line is added for the print head of the corresponding ink color according to the use frequency of different ink colors in the printing task from high to low, and then the print heads of the ink colors used in the printing task perform communication work according to the configured signal lines.
5. The method of operating an inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In step S3, a group of signal lines is configured for each print head of the ink colors used in the printing task, then one idle signal line is added for the print head of the corresponding ink color according to the use frequency of different ink colors in the printing task from high to low, and then the print heads of the ink colors used in the printing task perform communication work according to the configured signal lines.
6. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer programs / instructions, characterized in that: The computer program / instructions are executed by the processor to implement the working method of the inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. An inkjet printer comprising a printhead, a controller, a memory, the printhead having N ink color nozzles, N > 2, the controller in communication with the printhead through N sets of signal lines; the memory in electrical signal connection with the controller, characterized in that: The computer program / instructions are stored on the memory and executed by the controller to implement the working method of the inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.