Inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller and equipment based on color block partitioning

Abstract

This invention discloses an inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller, and device based on color block partitioning, relating to the field of inkjet printing technology. The method acquires the position information of color block image regions in the image to be printed. When printing color block image regions, a first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. This first driving waveform is specifically designed for printing color blocks, resulting in better printing quality in these regions. In non-color block image regions, a second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. This second driving waveform is optimal for printing non-color block image regions, thus achieving the best overall printing effect and significantly improving the overall print quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to an inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller and device based on color block partitioning. Background Technology

[0002] Piezoelectric inkjet technology applies a driving waveform to the printhead, causing the piezoelectric crystals within the printhead to deform and generate ink pressure. Under this pressure, the inkjet tubes in the printhead expel ink droplets, which are then ejected at high speed from the nozzles onto the substrate to form an image. Piezoelectric inkjet technology offers advantages such as relatively regular droplet shape, controllable droplet size and ejection speed, no splatter, accurate positioning, compatibility with a wider range of ink types, and a relatively long printhead lifespan.

[0003] In industrial printing, when using piezoelectric inkjet printers to print images, if the image to be printed contains color blocks (a color block refers to an image containing only a single color in a rectangular, circular, or other shape; this portion of the image is denoted as the color block image area), the printing effect of the color block image area may be poor due to mechanical errors, printhead drive waveforms, etc. For example, when using a certain drive waveform to print other image areas besides the color block image area, the printing effect is good. However, when printing the color block image area, textures appear on the surface of the color block printed under that drive waveform (ideally, the color block printing effect is a smooth surface with uniform ink dots and no textures), thus affecting the overall printing quality of the image. Therefore, how to achieve good printing results for image areas, including color blocks, is a technical problem that needs to be solved in current industrial printing applications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller and device based on color block partitioning, in order to solve the problem that poor color block printing effect leads to poor overall image printing quality in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning, the method comprising:

[0006] Obtain the color block image region in the image to be printed, and denote it as the first region. Denote the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region.

[0007] When the printhead is in the first area, the printhead is driven to print ink using the first drive waveform;

[0008] When the printhead is in the second region, the printhead is driven to print ink using the second drive waveform.

[0009] Preferably, the number of the first regions is greater than or equal to 1, and different first driving waveforms are used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing for the first regions with different color blocks.

[0010] Preferably, after acquiring the color block image region in the image to be printed, denoted as the first region, and denoting the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region, the process further includes:

[0011] Obtain the area of ​​each first region. When the area of ​​a first region is less than or equal to a preset area, the first region is recorded as the second region.

[0012] Preferably, the step of obtaining the color block image region in the image to be printed, denoted as the first region, and denoting the image region in the image to be printed other than the color block image region as the second region includes:

[0013] Based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and the printing parameters, obtain the first start position X1 and the first end position X2 of the color block image area in the X direction, and the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2 of the color block image area in the Y direction.

[0014] The color block image region is obtained based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2, which is the first region; the image region other than the first region is the second region.

[0015] Preferably, the step of driving the printhead to inkjet print using the first driving waveform before the printhead is driven to print when the printhead printing position is in the first region further includes:

[0016] Based on the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2, it is determined whether the printhead printing position is located in the first area.

[0017] Preferably, determining whether the printhead printing position is located in the first region based on the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2 includes:

[0018] Obtain the print head printing position, wherein the print head printing position includes the X-direction printing position Xp and the Y-direction printing position Yp;

[0019] Obtain the nozzle height h;

[0020] When Xp < X1 or Xp > X2, the printhead printing position is not in the first area;

[0021] When X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a, the printhead printing position is located in the first region;

[0022] When X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b, the printhead printing position is not in the first region;

[0023] Where a is the first preset value and b is the second preset value.

[0024] Preferably, the method further includes:

[0025] Acquire the first inkjet count value cnt1 when the printhead reaches the first start position X1 and the second inkjet count value cnt2 when it reaches the first end position X2 while scanning along the X direction;

[0026] Based on the first preset value a and the second preset value b, obtain the first scan count value cnt3 when the nozzle enters the first region along the Y direction and the second scan count value cnt4 when it leaves the first region.

[0027] Preferably, the step of driving the printhead to inkjet print using the first driving waveform when the printhead printing position is located in the first region includes:

[0028] When cnt1 < cntp < cnt2 and cnt3 ≦ cnts ≦ cnt4, the first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0029] Preferably, the step of driving the printhead to inkjet print using the second drive waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second region includes:

[0030] When cntp < cnt1 or cntp > cnt2 or cnts ≦ cnt3 or cnts ≧ cnt4, the second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0031] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printing apparatus based on color block partitioning, the apparatus comprising:

[0032] The partitioning module is used to obtain the color block image region in the image to be printed, which is denoted as the first region, and the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region is denoted as the second region.

[0033] The first printing module is used to drive the printhead to spray ink when the printhead printing position is in the first area using a first driving waveform;

[0034] The second printing module is used to drive the printhead to inkjet print using a second driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second area.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a controller, the controller comprising:

[0036] The main control device is used to drive the controller to work; and,

[0037] The inkjet printing apparatus based on color block partitioning as described in the second aspect.

[0038] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a partitioned printing device, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect described above is implemented.

[0039] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0040] The inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller, and device based on color block partitioning provided in this invention obtains the position information of color block image areas in the image to be printed. When printing the color block image areas in the image to be printed, a first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The first driving waveform is a driving waveform specifically for printing color blocks, which can make the printing effect of the color block image areas better. In non-color block image areas, a second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The second driving waveform is the driving waveform that makes the printing effect of non-color block image areas the best, thereby making the overall printing effect of the image the best and greatly improving the overall printing quality of the image. Attached Figure Description

[0041] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of reciprocating scanning inkjet printing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of the color block image area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram of another color block image region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 3c This is a schematic diagram of an image to be printed containing two identical color blocks, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3d This is a schematic diagram of an image to be printed containing two different color blocks, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of the location of the color block image region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of the location of the color block image region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the printhead printing position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle entering the first region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inkjet printing device based on color block partitioning according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inkjet printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present invention and are not configured to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the invention.

[0056] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0057] Example 1

[0058] The following description uses the application of the inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning of this invention in reciprocating scanning inkjet printing as an example. Figure 1 As shown, in a reciprocating inkjet printer, the printhead reciprocates along the X-direction (or main scanning direction) to dispense ink and print the image to be printed. One scan (inkjet printing) from left to right or from right to left is called a Pass. Between each Pass, the printing medium moves a certain distance relative to the printhead along the Y-direction (or secondary scanning direction). This can be either the printing medium moving along the Y-direction while the printhead remains stationary, or the printhead moving along the Y-direction while the printing medium remains stationary. The reciprocating motion of the printhead along the X-direction prints the image to be printed onto the image printing area on the printing medium. The image to be printed includes at least one color block image area, which is designated as the first area, and all other image areas besides the color block image area are designated as the second area.

[0059] Please see Figure 2 This invention provides an inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning, the method comprising the following steps:

[0060] S1: Obtain the color block image region in the image to be printed, and denote it as the first region; denote the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region.

[0061] S2: When the printhead printing position is in the first area, the first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to output ink for printing;

[0062] S3: When the printhead printing position is located in the second region, the printhead is driven to output ink for printing using the second drive waveform.

[0063] The image to be printed includes a color block image area (first area) and a non-color block image area (second area). If a fixed driving waveform is used to print the image throughout the printing process, the printing effect is good in the non-color block image area, but poor in the color block image area. To achieve better printing results in the color block image area, multiple driving waveforms can be used for test printing of the color blocks before printing to obtain the driving waveform with the best printing effect. This driving waveform is then used as the dedicated driving waveform for printing the color blocks and is denoted as the first driving waveform. Similarly, multiple driving waveforms can be used for test printing of the non-color block image area before printing to obtain the driving waveform with the best printing effect. This driving waveform is then used as the driving waveform for printing the non-color block image area and is denoted as the second driving waveform. Before printing, software detects and identifies the positions of color block image areas in the image to be printed, and sends this position information to the printer's controller. When printing non-color block image areas, the controller applies a second drive waveform to the printhead, using this second drive waveform for inkjet printing. When printing to a color block image area (i.e., the printhead is in the first area), the printhead's drive waveform is switched back to the first drive waveform in real time. This process continues until the printhead leaves the color block image area and prints a non-color block image area (the printhead is in the second area), at which point the printhead's drive waveform is switched back to the second drive waveform again in real time. Switching to a dedicated drive waveform (the first drive waveform) for color blocks in the color block image area improves the printing quality of these areas, thus enhancing the overall image printing effect.

[0064] Here, "color blocks" refers to images that contain only one color and are shaped like rectangles, circles, triangles, etc. For example... Figure 3a As shown, the image to be printed contains three color block image regions of different colors, namely three first regions (first region 1, first region 2, and first region 3). Figure 3b As shown, it also contains three color block image regions of different colors. Although these three color blocks are closely adjacent and combined into a rectangular area, the rectangular area is not considered a color block image region. Instead, the image to be printed also contains three color block image regions of different colors, namely three first regions (first region 1, first region 2 and first region 3).

[0065] In one embodiment, the entire image to be printed contains several color blocks of the same single color. The single color can be any one of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), or it can be a color obtained by mixing any two or three of the above four colors. Figure 3cAs shown, the image to be printed contains two color blocks (color block 1 and color block 2), which are the same color. Assuming the printing direction is L, at the start of printing, the printhead is located in the second region. The second driving waveform drives the printhead to spray ink. As the printhead or printing medium moves, when the printhead is located in the first region corresponding to color block 1, the second driving waveform is switched to the first driving waveform in real time to drive the printhead to spray ink. When the printhead moves away from the first region corresponding to color block 1, the first driving waveform is also switched to the second driving waveform in real time to drive the printhead to spray ink. Similarly, when the printhead is located in the first region corresponding to color block 2, the second driving waveform is switched back to the first driving waveform in real time. And when the printhead moves away from the first region corresponding to color block 2, the first driving waveform is switched back to the second driving waveform in real time.

[0066] In another embodiment, the entire printed image contains several blocks of a single color, each with a different hue, such as... Figure 3d As shown, the image to be printed contains two single-color blocks, block 3 and block 4. However, the colors of block 3 and block 4 are different. In this case, when printing block 3 and block 4, the first type of first driving waveform (denoted as first driving waveform A) and the second type of first driving waveform (denoted as first driving waveform B) are used for inkjet printing by the printhead. Assuming the printing direction is L, when printing begins, the printhead is located in the second region. The printhead is driven by the second driving waveform to spray ink. As the printhead or printing medium moves, when the printhead is located in the first region corresponding to color block 3, the second driving waveform is switched to the first driving waveform A in real time to drive ink spraying. When the printhead moves away from the first region corresponding to color block 1, the first driving waveform A is switched to the second driving waveform in real time to drive ink spraying. When the printhead is located in the first region corresponding to color block 2, the second driving waveform is switched to the first driving waveform B in real time. And when the printhead moves away from the first region corresponding to color block 2, the first driving waveform B is switched back to the second driving waveform in real time.

[0067] In one embodiment, after obtaining the color block image regions in the image to be printed and dividing them into a first region and a second region, the color block image regions can be further filtered. In actual printing, when a color block image region reaches a certain area, problems such as texture and uneven color will only appear when printing that region. Therefore, after obtaining each color block image region, it can be determined whether its area is greater than a preset area. If it is greater than the preset area, the color block image region is still recorded as the first region. If the area is less than the preset area, the color block image region is re-recorded as the second region. When printing this region, it is not necessary to switch the driving waveform; instead, the driving waveform for non-image regions can be used. In an image, there may be many regions with only a single color but very small areas. If printing these regions using a conventional driving waveform (such as the second driving waveform) will not result in printing defects, there is no need to frequently switch the driving waveform, thus balancing the overall image printing efficiency and image printing quality.

[0068] In order for the controller to switch the drive waveform and output the corresponding first drive waveform to the printhead when the printhead is printing in the color block image area, it is necessary to know the position information of the color block image area. In some embodiments, the position information of the color block image area is obtained through the following steps:

[0069] S11: Based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and the printing parameters, obtain the first start position X1 and the first end position X2 of the color block image area in the X (main scan) direction, and the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2 of the color block image area in the Y (sub-scan) direction.

[0070] S12: Obtain the color block image region based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2, which is the first region. The image region other than the first region is the second region.

[0071] Before printing, the image to be printed needs to be processed (such as halftone processing) using RIP software on the host computer. This allows the position information of the color blocks within the image to be printed to be obtained. For example... Figure 4aAs shown, the color block is a rectangular color block. A two-dimensional plane coordinate system is established with vertex 1 of the printing medium as the origin. Based on the printing parameters of the inkjet printer, the starting position (Xs, Ys) of the image to be printed on the printing medium can be determined. Based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed, the start and end positions of the color block in the X direction can be determined, denoted as the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, respectively. Similarly, the start and end positions of the color block in the Y direction can be denoted as the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2, respectively. The area enclosed by the coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y1), (X1, Y2), and (X2, Y2) is the first region. Other image regions besides the first region are denoted as the second region. In some embodiments, the color block may be a circular, triangular, or other shaped region, for example, such as... Figure 4b As shown, the color block is a circular color block. Similarly, the start and end positions of the color block in the X direction are obtained and denoted as the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, respectively. The start and end positions of the color block in the Y direction are denoted as the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2, respectively. The area enclosed by the coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y1), (X1, Y2), and (X2, Y2) is the first region. All other image regions outside the first region are denoted as the second region.

[0072] The position information of the color block image area, i.e., the first area, is obtained. During printing, the drive waveform is adjusted according to whether the printhead printing position is in the first area. When the printhead enters the first area from the second area, the controller outputs (switches) the first drive waveform to drive the printhead to spray ink. When the printhead leaves the first area and enters the second area, the controller outputs (switches) the second drive waveform to drive the printhead to spray ink. Preferably, before using the first drive waveform to drive the printhead to spray ink when the printhead printing position is in the first area, the method further includes: determining whether the printhead printing position is in the first area based on the first start position and the first end position, the second start position and the second end position. In one embodiment, the determination of whether the printhead printing position is in the first area is based on the following steps:

[0073] S01: Obtain the print head printing position, wherein the print head printing position includes the X-direction printing position Xp and the Y-direction printing position Yp;

[0074] S02: Obtain the nozzle height h;

[0075] S03: When Xp < X1 or Xp > X2, the printhead printing position is not in the first area;

[0076] S04: When X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a, then the printhead printing position is located in the first region;

[0077] S05: When X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b, the printhead printing position is not in the first region;

[0078] Wherein, X1 is the first start position, X2 is the first end position, Xp is the printing position in the X direction, Yp is the printing position in the Y direction, Y1 is the second start position, Y2 is the second end position, h is the nozzle height, a is the first preset value, and b is the second preset value.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, when the first pass of printing begins, the printhead starts scanning and printing from the origin (from left to right) along the X direction. Part of the printhead area (i.e., the 1-pass printing width) enters the image printing area. After the first pass ends, the printhead moves a certain distance relative to the printing medium along the Y direction and then starts scanning and printing from right to left for the second pass. After the second pass ends, the printhead moves a certain distance relative to the printing medium along the Y direction again and scans and prints from left to right. This process is repeated until printing is finished. The position corresponding to the end point 31 of the printhead is recorded as the printhead printing position. The printhead printing position includes the X-direction printing position Xp and the Y-direction printing position Yp, that is, the coordinates corresponding to the printhead printing position are (Xp, Yp). When printing starts, the printhead printing position may not have reached the color block image area (first area) yet (of course, if the position coordinates (X1, Y1) and coordinates (Xs, Ys) of the color block are equal, then the printhead printing position enters the color block image area from the start of the first pass of printing). As the printhead moves back and forth along the X direction and moves relative to the printing medium along the Y direction, it may continuously enter and leave the color block image area (first area).

[0080] Depend on Figure 5 It can be seen that when the printhead scans along the X direction, if Xp < X1 or Xp > X2, the printhead printing position is not in the first region; however, if X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2, the printhead printing position in the Y direction may or may not enter the first region. Figure 6As shown, preferably, when Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a, the printhead printing position is considered to be in the first region; where a is a first preset value, which can be set according to the actual printing situation (such as the number of print passes, printhead height, etc.). For example, a = 1 / 8, that is, only when the ratio of the length (Yp-Y1) of the printhead entering the first region to the printhead height is 1 / 8 (1 / 8 of the printhead length enters the first region), the printhead printing position is considered to be in the first region. At this time, if the printhead driving waveform is the second driving waveform, the controller switches the second driving waveform to the first driving waveform to drive the printhead to perform inkjet printing; similarly, only when Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b, the printhead is considered to have left the first region or the printhead printing position is not in the first region, where b is a second preset value, which is set according to the actual situation (such as the number of print passes, printhead height, etc.). For example, b = 7 / 8 means that the printhead is considered not to be in the first area only when the ratio of the length (Yp-Y2) of the printhead leaving the first area to the printhead height is 7 / 8 (7 / 8 of the printhead length is away from the first area). In this case, the controller applies a second drive waveform to the printhead to drive it to perform inkjet printing. The values ​​of a and b can be preset and stored in the controller (i.e., FPGA), or set by the user through the software interface according to the actual situation. For example, the specific values ​​of a and b can be input through the printing control software. During printing, the controller determines whether the printhead is in the first area when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2. If yes, the first drive waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet; if no, the second drive waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet.

[0081] The reason for determining whether the printhead is in or out of the first region by obtaining the length ratio of the printhead entering or leaving the first region is that in actual printing, the printhead does not move at a constant speed in the Y direction, but steps a certain distance every 1 pass. Therefore, it is possible that at the nth pass, part of the printhead has entered the first region, but the other part is still in the second region; or at the mth pass, part of the printhead has left the first region, but the other part is still in the first region. In this case, the first preset value a and the second preset value b are used to determine whether the printhead is in or out of the first region, so that the controller can select the driving waveform applied to the printhead.

[0082] In one embodiment, the printhead can be driven by either the first driving waveform or the second driving waveform based on the printhead's ink ejection count at the first start position X1 and the first end position X2 when the printhead scans along the X direction, and the printhead's scan count when it enters the first region and leaves the first region along the Y direction, i.e., the pass count corresponding to the printhead entering and leaving the first region, based on the first preset value a and the second preset value b.

[0083] Specifically, the count of ink ejection times at the nozzle corresponding to the first starting position X1 when the printhead scans once along the X direction is recorded as the first ink ejection count value cnt1, and the count of ink ejection times at the nozzle corresponding to the second starting position X2 is recorded as the second ink ejection count value cnt2. The count of scans when the printhead enters the first region along the Y direction is recorded as the first scan count value cnt3, and the count of scans when leaving the first region is recorded as the second scan count value cnt4. When the printhead printing position is in the first region, driving the printhead to eject ink using the first driving waveform includes: when cnt1 < cntp < cnt2 and cnt3 ≦ cnts ≦ cnt4, the printhead driving waveform is converted to the first driving waveform, and ink ejection is driven using the first driving waveform. When the printhead printing position is in the second region, driving the printhead to eject ink using the second driving waveform includes: when cntp < cnt1 or cntp > cnt2 or cnts ≦ cnt3 or cnts ≧ cnt4. When the printhead's driving waveform is converted to the second driving waveform, the printhead is driven to output ink for printing using the second driving waveform.

[0084] For example, if the printhead obtains a printhead Y-direction printing position of Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a during the 5th scan, then it can be known that the printhead will enter the first region during the 5th scan (first scan count value cnt3 = 5). If the printhead obtains a printhead Y-direction printing position of Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b during the 10th scan, then it can be known that the printhead will leave the first region during the 10th scan (second scan count value cnt4 = 10). At this point, by combining the ink ejection count in the printhead X-direction, it is possible to determine when to use the first drive waveform and when to use the second drive waveform. If the printhead scans along the X direction and the nozzle count at position X1 is 100 (first inkjet count cnt1 = 100), and the printhead count at position X2 is 200 (second inkjet count cnt2 = 100), then in the 5th Pass, before the 100th inkjet, the second drive waveform is used to print the second area. On the 100th inkjet, the second drive waveform is switched to the first drive waveform (at which point the printhead prints into the first area). This continues until the 201st inkjet, when the first drive waveform is switched back to the second drive waveform (at which point the printhead prints out of the first area). The process is similar for Passes 6 through 9. During the 10th pass, since the printhead is not considered to be in the first region during the 10th pass scan, the second drive waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. Similarly, at other inkjet count and scan count values ​​(when the printhead is not in the first region), the second drive waveform is used to drive the inkjet for inkjet printing. Determining whether the printhead is in the color block image area (first region) based on the printhead's inkjet count and scan count along the Y direction allows for faster and simpler control. The controller does not need to calculate whether the printhead is in the first region every time it moves between positions X1 and X2; it can quickly determine which drive waveform to apply to the printhead simply by obtaining the current scan count value.

[0085] In practical printing applications, the image to be printed may contain more than one color block image region, or even more than two color block image regions. Similarly, the position information of each color block image region is first obtained and sent to the controller. Based on the position information of the color gamut region, when the printhead is positioned within a color block image region, the controller switches the drive waveform to the first drive waveform (a drive waveform specifically for printing color blocks) to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. In other embodiments, a corresponding drive waveform for each different color block can be pre-set, ensuring optimal printing results when printing that color block. By obtaining the position information corresponding to various different color blocks, the controller switches the drive waveform applied to the printhead to the corresponding drive waveform when printing a color block, ensuring optimal printing results for that color block, thereby improving the overall image printing effect and overall print quality.

[0086] In summary, the inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning provided by the embodiments of the present invention obtains the position information of the color block image area in the image to be printed. When printing the color block image area in the image to be printed, a first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The first driving waveform is a driving waveform specifically for printing color blocks, which can make the printing effect of the color block image area better. In the non-color block image area, a second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The second driving waveform is the driving waveform that makes the printing effect of non-color block image area optimal, thereby making the overall printing effect of the image optimal and greatly improving the overall printing quality of the image.

[0087] Example 2

[0088] Please see Figure 7 This invention provides an inkjet printing device 200 based on color block partitioning, the device 200 comprising:

[0089] The partitioning module 201 is used to obtain the color block image region in the image to be printed, which is denoted as the first region, and to denot the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region.

[0090] The first printing module 202 is used to drive the printhead to print ink using a first driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the first area.

[0091] The second printing module 203 is used to drive the printhead to inkjet print using a second driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second area.

[0092] Preferably, in the first printing module 202, the number of the first regions is greater than or equal to 1; different first driving waveforms are used to drive the printhead to print ink for the first regions with different color blocks.

[0093] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0094] A re-division module is used to obtain the area of ​​each first region. When the area of ​​a first region is less than or equal to a preset area, the first region is recorded as a second region.

[0095] Preferably, the partitioning module 201 includes:

[0096] The position information acquisition unit is used to acquire, based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and the printing parameters, the first start position X1 and the first end position X2 of the color block image area in the X (main scan) direction, and the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2 of the color block image area in the Y (sub-scan) direction.

[0097] The partitioning unit is used to obtain the color block image region based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2, which is the first region; the image region other than the first region is the second region.

[0098] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0099] The position determination module is used to determine whether the printhead printing position is located in the first area based on the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2.

[0100] Preferably, the position determination module includes:

[0101] A printhead printing position acquisition unit is used to acquire the printhead printing position, wherein the printhead printing position includes an X-direction printing position Xp and a Y-direction printing position Yp;

[0102] Nozzle height acquisition unit, used to acquire nozzle height h;

[0103] The first judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is not in the first area when Xp < X1 or Xp > X2.

[0104] The second judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is located in the first region when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a;

[0105] The third judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is not in the first region when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b; where a is a first preset value and b is a second preset value.

[0106] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0107] The inkjet counting module is used to obtain the first inkjet count value cnt1 when the printhead reaches the first start position X1 and the second inkjet count value cnt2 when it reaches the first end position X2 when the printhead scans along the X direction.

[0108] The scan counting module is used to obtain a first scan count value cnt3 when the nozzle enters the first area along the Y direction and a second scan count value cnt4 when it leaves the first area, based on the first preset value a and the second preset value b.

[0109] The first printing module is also used to drive the printhead to print inkjet using the first driving waveform when cnt1 < cntp < cnt2 and cnt3 ≦ cnts ≦ cnt4, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0110] The second printing module is also used to drive the printhead to print inkjet using the second driving waveform when cntp < cnt1 or cntp > cnt2 or cnts ≦ cnt3 or cnts ≧ cnt4, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0111] In summary, the inkjet printing apparatus based on color block partitioning provided by the embodiments of the present invention,

[0112] By acquiring the position information of the color block image area in the image to be printed, when printing the color block image area, the first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The first driving waveform is a driving waveform specifically for printing color blocks, which can make the printing effect of the color block image area better. In the non-color block image area, the second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The second driving waveform is the driving waveform that makes the printing effect of non-color block image area the best, thereby making the overall printing effect of the image the best and greatly improving the overall printing quality of the image.

[0113] Example 3

[0114] Please see Figure 8 This invention provides a controller 400, which includes:

[0115] Main control device 401, used to drive the controller to work; and,

[0116] The inkjet printing apparatus 200 based on color block partitioning as described in Embodiment 2.

[0117] The inkjet printing device 200 based on color block partitioning includes:

[0118] The partitioning module 201 is used to obtain the color block image region in the image to be printed, which is denoted as the first region, and to denot the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region.

[0119] The first printing module 202 is used to drive the printhead to print ink using a first driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the first area.

[0120] The second printing module 203 is used to drive the printhead to inkjet print using a second driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second area.

[0121] Preferably, in the first printing module 202, the number of the first regions is greater than or equal to 1, and different first driving waveforms are used to drive the printhead to print ink for the first regions with different color blocks.

[0122] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0123] A re-division module is used to obtain the area of ​​each first region. When the area of ​​a first region is less than or equal to a preset area, the first region is recorded as a second region.

[0124] Preferably, the partitioning module 201 includes:

[0125] The position information acquisition unit is used to acquire, based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and the printing parameters, the first start position X1 and the first end position X2 of the color block image area in the X (main scan) direction, and the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2 of the color block image area in the Y (sub-scan) direction.

[0126] The partitioning unit is used to obtain the color block image region based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2, which is the first region; the image region other than the first region is the second region.

[0127] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0128] The position determination module is used to determine whether the printhead printing position is located in the first area based on the first start position X1 and the first end position X2, the second start position Y1 and the second end position Y2.

[0129] Preferably, the position determination module includes:

[0130] A printhead printing position acquisition unit is used to acquire the printhead printing position, wherein the printhead printing position includes an X-direction printing position Xp and a Y-direction printing position Yp;

[0131] Nozzle height acquisition unit, used to acquire nozzle height h;

[0132] The first judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is not in the first area when Xp < X1 or Xp > X2.

[0133] The second judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is located in the first region when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2 and (Yp-Y1) / h ≧ a;

[0134] The third judgment unit is used to determine that the printhead printing position is not in the first region when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp and (Yp-Y2) / h ≧ b; where a is a first preset value and b is a second preset value.

[0135] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0136] The inkjet counting module is used to obtain the first inkjet count value cnt1 when the printhead reaches the first start position X1 and the second inkjet count value cnt2 when it reaches the first end position X2 when the printhead scans along the X direction.

[0137] The scan counting module is used to obtain a first scan count value cnt3 when the nozzle enters the first area along the Y direction and a second scan count value cnt4 when it leaves the first area, based on the first preset value a and the second preset value b.

[0138] The first printing module is also used to drive the printhead to print inkjet using the first driving waveform when cnt1 < cntp < cnt2 and cnt3 ≦ cnts ≦ cnt4, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0139] The second printing module is also used to drive the printhead to print inkjet using the second driving waveform when cntp < cnt1 or cntp > cnt2 or cnts ≦ cnt3 or cnts ≧ cnt4, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

[0140] In summary, the controller provided in this embodiment of the invention obtains the position information of the color block image area in the image to be printed. When printing the color block image area in the image to be printed, it uses a first driving waveform to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The first driving waveform is a driving waveform specifically for printing color blocks, which can make the printing effect of the color block image area better. In the non-color block image area, it uses a second driving waveform to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The second driving waveform is the driving waveform that makes the printing effect of non-color block image area the best, thereby making the overall printing effect of the image the best and greatly improving the overall printing quality of the image.

[0141] Example 4

[0142] In addition, the inkjet printing method of this invention can be implemented by an inkjet printing device. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an inkjet printing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0143] Inkjet printing equipment may include a processor 301 and a memory 302 storing computer program instructions.

[0144] Specifically, the processor 301 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention.

[0145] Memory 302 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 302 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, memory 302 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 302 may be internal or external to a data processing device. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0146] The processor 301 implements any of the inkjet printing methods described in the above embodiments by reading and executing computer program instructions stored in the memory 302.

[0147] In one example, the inkjet printing device may also include a communication interface 303 and a bus 310. Wherein, as Figure 9 As shown, the processor 301, memory 302, and communication interface 303 are connected through bus 310 and complete communication with each other.

[0148] The communication interface 303 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0149] Bus 310 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of an inkjet printing device together. For example, and not as a limitation, bus 310 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 310 may include one or more buses. While specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

[0150] Example 5

[0151] Furthermore, in conjunction with the inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning in the above embodiments, this invention can be implemented using a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by the processor 301, they implement any of the inkjet printing methods based on color block partitioning in the above embodiments.

[0152] In summary, the inkjet printing method, apparatus, controller, device, and storage medium based on color block partitioning provided by the embodiments of the present invention obtains the position information of the color block image area in the image to be printed. When printing the color block image area in the image to be printed, a first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The first driving waveform is a driving waveform specifically for printing color blocks, which can make the printing effect of the color block image area better. In the non-color block image area, a second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing. The second driving waveform is the driving waveform that makes the printing effect of non-color block image area optimal, thereby making the overall printing effect of the image optimal and greatly improving the overall printing quality of the image.

[0153] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0154] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0155] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this invention describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0156] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An inkjet printing method based on color patch partitioning, characterized by, The method includes: Obtaining a color block image region in the image to be printed, denoted as the first region, and defining the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region, includes: obtaining a first start position X1 and a first end position X2 of the color block image region in the X direction, and a second start position Y1 and a second end position Y2 of the color block image region in the Y direction, based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and printing parameters; obtaining the first region based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2; the image region other than the first region is the second region; When the printhead printing position is located in the first region, the printhead is driven to print inkjet using a first driving waveform. Before using the first driving waveform to drive the printhead to print inkjet, the process further includes determining whether the printhead printing position is located in the first region, including: obtaining the printhead printing position, which includes an X-direction printing position Xp and a Y-direction printing position Yp; obtaining the printhead height h; when Xp < X1 or Xp > X2, the printhead printing position is not in the first region; when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2, and the ratio of the length of the printhead entering the first region to its height is greater than or equal to a, i.e., (Yp-Y1) / h ≥ a, the printhead printing position is located in the first region; when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp, and the ratio of the length of the printhead leaving the first region to its height is greater than or equal to b, i.e., (Yp-Y2) / h ≥ b. When b, the print head printing position is not in the first area; where a is a first preset value and b is a second preset value; the values ​​of a and b are set according to the number of printing passes and the print head height. By presetting and saving the values ​​of a and b in the controller or by inputting the values ​​of a and b through the printing control software, the controller determines whether the print head printing position is in the first area based on the values ​​of a and b during printing. When the printhead is in the second region, the printhead is driven to print ink using the second drive waveform.

2. The color patch partition-based inkjet printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, The number of the first region is greater than or equal to 1. For the first regions with different color blocks, different first driving waveforms are used to drive the printhead for inkjet printing.

3. The color patch partition-based inkjet printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, After obtaining the color block image region in the image to be printed, denoted as the first region, and denoting the image region in the image to be printed other than the first region as the second region, the process further includes: Obtain the area of ​​each first region. When the area of ​​a specified first region is less than or equal to a preset area, the specified first region is recorded as the second region.

4. The color patch partition-based inkjet printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, The method further includes: Acquire the first inkjet count value cnt1 when the printhead reaches the first start position X1 and the second inkjet count value cnt2 when it reaches the first end position X2 while scanning along the X direction; Based on the first preset value a and the second preset value b, obtain the first scan count value cnt3 when the nozzle enters the first region along the Y direction and the second scan count value cnt4 when it leaves the first region.

5. The color patch partition-based inkjet printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, The step of driving the printhead to inkjet print using the first driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the first region includes: When cnt1 < cntp < cnt2 and cnt3 ≦ cnts ≦ cnt4, the first driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

6. The inkjet printing method based on color block partitioning according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of driving the printhead to inkjet print using the second driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second region includes: When cntp < cnt1 or cntp > cnt2 or cnts ≦ cnt3 or cnts ≧ cnt4, the second driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet, where cntp is the printhead inkjet count value during printing and cnts is the printhead scan count value.

7. An inkjet printing device based on color block partitioning, characterized in that, The device includes: The partitioning module is used to acquire a color block image region in the image to be printed, denoted as the first region, and to denot the image region other than the first region in the image to be printed as the second region. This includes: acquiring a first start position X1 and a first end position X2 of the color block image region in the X direction, and a corresponding second start position Y1 and second end position Y2 of the color block image region in the Y direction, based on the position of the color block in the image to be printed and printing parameters; acquiring the first region based on the first start position X1, the first end position X2, the second start position Y1, and the second end position Y2; and the image region other than the first region is the second region. A first printing module is used to drive the printhead to print inkjet using a first driving waveform when the printhead printing position is located in the first region. Before driving the printhead to print inkjet using the first driving waveform, the module further includes determining whether the printhead printing position is located in the first region, including: obtaining the printhead printing position, which includes an X-direction printing position Xp and a Y-direction printing position Yp; obtaining the printhead height h; when Xp < X1 or Xp > X2, the printhead printing position is not in the first region; when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y1 ≦ Yp ≦ Y2, and the ratio of the length of the printhead entering the first region to its height is greater than or equal to a, i.e., (Yp-Y1) / h ≥ a, the printhead printing position is located in the first region; when X1 ≦ Xp ≦ X2 and Y2 < Yp, and the ratio of the length of the printhead leaving the first region to its height is greater than or equal to b, i.e., (Yp-Y2) / h ≥ b. When b, the print head printing position is not in the first area; where a is a first preset value and b is a second preset value; the values ​​of a and b are set according to the number of printing passes and the print head height. By presetting and saving the values ​​of a and b in the controller or by inputting the values ​​of a and b through the printing control software, the controller determines whether the print head printing position is in the first area based on the values ​​of a and b during printing. The second printing module is used to drive the printhead to inkjet print using a second driving waveform when the printhead printing position is in the second area.

8. A controller, characterized in that, The controller includes: The main control device is used to drive the controller to work; and, The inkjet printing apparatus based on color block partitioning as described in claim 7.

9. An inkjet printing device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed by the processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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