Image-based positioning-based continuous printing method, apparatus and system for multiple printing media

Abstract

This invention discloses a method, apparatus, and system for continuous printing on multiple printing media based on image positioning, relating to the field of inkjet printing technology. The method can flexibly select either single-pass or multi-pass printing modes for image printing. Single-pass printing completes the printing in one go, offering high efficiency; while multi-pass printing improves printing accuracy. Furthermore, the method simultaneously resets the printhead and changes the printing media, and uses an image acquisition device to accurately position the printing media, ensuring seamless transition between printing media after the previous one is completed, thereby shortening the time between continuous printing sessions and improving printing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus and system for continuous printing on multiple printing media based on image positioning. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology refers to the technology of spraying ink droplets onto the printing medium through nozzles on a printhead to obtain images or text. It mainly includes reciprocating scanning printing, OnePass printing, etc.

[0003] like Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing OnePass printing system, with the printhead assembly 1 fixed on the crossbeam 3. The printhead assembly 1 typically includes multiple printheads 4 spliced ​​together along the X direction to increase the print width in one pass. During printing, the printing medium 2 moves continuously along the Y direction, and the printhead assembly ejects ink droplets onto the printing medium, completing the printing in one pass. Therefore, the OnePass printing method greatly improves printing efficiency. However, since the printheads are fixed, it can only print images with precision requirements lower than the printhead precision. When the printing precision requirement is higher than the printhead precision, printing cannot be achieved.

[0004] Reciprocating scanning printing, also known as multi-pass scanning printing, such as... Figure 2 The diagram shows a reciprocating scanning printing system. The printhead 5 (or inkjet carriage) is mounted on the crossbeam 7 and reciprocates along the X direction, ejecting ink to print an image onto the printing medium 6. In multi-pass scanning printing, each unit of the image to be printed requires multiple interpolations to complete the printing process. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3The diagram illustrates a 4-pass scanning printing process in the prior art. The image to be printed has n unit printing areas b1, b2, ..., bn. Each unit area requires four passes to complete printing. The height of each unit area in the sub-scanning direction is equal to 1 / 4 of the printhead's height in the sub-scanning direction. During the first pass, printhead 5 scans along the X direction, with only the first 1 / 4 of the nozzles of printhead 5 ejecting ink, completing the first pass of printing the first unit area b1. Then, printhead 5 moves relative to the printing medium 6 along the Y direction by the height of the first 1 / 4 of the nozzles, and then performs a reverse scan along the X direction for the second pass. During the second pass, the first 2 / 4 of the nozzles of printhead eject ink, completing the second pass of printing the first unit area b1 and the first pass of printing the second unit area b2. Then, printhead 5 moves relative to the printing medium 6 along the Y direction by another 1 / 4 of the nozzle height, and then performs a forward scan along the X direction for the third pass. Finally, printhead 5 moves relative to the printing medium 6 along the Y direction by another 1 / 4 of the nozzle height, and then performs a reverse scan along the X direction for the fourth pass. This process continues until printing is complete; that is, each image area b1...bn is printed in 4 passes. Multi-pass scanning printing can improve printing accuracy; the more passes (scans), the higher the accuracy, but the lower the printing efficiency. One-pass printing, on the other hand, improves efficiency but cannot guarantee accuracy. Therefore, how to achieve both high-precision printing and improved printing efficiency is a problem that needs to be solved in the printing industry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for continuous printing of multiple printing media based on image positioning, in order to solve the problem that it is difficult to achieve high printing accuracy and high printing efficiency at the same time in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for continuous printing on multiple printing media based on image positioning, the method comprising:

[0007] The first printing medium is moved along the Y direction to a first designated position, and the image acquisition device is controlled to acquire the first printing medium to obtain a first image, wherein the first designated position is within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device;

[0008] The placement of the first printing medium is obtained based on the first image;

[0009] If the placement of the first printing medium meets the preset conditions, then when the first printing medium is moved to the second designated position, the movement stops, and the printhead is controlled to move along the Y direction and / or X direction according to the printing mode and print an image onto the surface of the first printing medium, wherein the second designated position is within the printhead printing range, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0010] After printing is completed, the first printing medium is moved along the Y direction to outside the printing range of the printhead, while the second printing medium is moved along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0011] Preferably, the printhead is moved to the printing start position while the second printing medium is moved along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0012] Preferably, the printing modes include single-pass scanning printing mode and multi-pass scanning printing mode.

[0013] Preferably, the first designated position and the second designated position are the same or different.

[0014] Preferably, the first printing medium includes at least two first positioning marks, and the line connecting the two first positioning marks is parallel to one edge of the first printing medium; the step of obtaining the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image includes:

[0015] Obtain the images corresponding to the two first positioning markers in the first image, and denote them as the second positioning markers;

[0016] Connect the two second positioning markers to obtain the first connection line;

[0017] Obtain the offset angle of the first connecting line relative to the X or Y direction;

[0018] The placement of the first printing medium is determined based on the offset angle.

[0019] Preferably, the preset condition is: the offset angle is less than or equal to a preset angle threshold.

[0020] Preferably, the step of moving the first printing medium along the Y direction to a first designated position and controlling the image acquisition device to acquire the first image of the first printing medium is replaced by:

[0021] The control unit detects whether the first printing medium is present;

[0022] When the first printing medium is detected, the first trigger time is obtained;

[0023] The time it takes for the first printing medium to enter the acquisition range of the image acquisition device is obtained based on the distance between the image acquisition device and the printing medium detection device and the moving speed of the first printing medium, and is recorded as the compensation time.

[0024] The second trigger time is obtained based on the first trigger time and the compensation time;

[0025] The image acquisition device is triggered according to the second trigger time to acquire the first image from the first printing medium.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-media continuous printing apparatus based on image positioning, the apparatus comprising:

[0027] The acquisition module moves the first printing medium along the Y direction to a first designated position and controls the image acquisition device to acquire the first printing medium to obtain a first image, wherein the first designated position is within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device;

[0028] The acquisition module is used to acquire the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image;

[0029] The printing module is configured to, if the placement of the first printing medium meets preset conditions, stop moving the first printing medium when it is moved to the second specified position, and control the printhead to move along the Y direction and / or X direction according to the printing mode and print an image onto the surface of the first printing medium, wherein the second specified position is located within the printhead printing range, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0030] The moving module is used to move the first printing medium along the Y direction to outside the printing range of the printhead after printing is completed, while simultaneously moving the second printing medium along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0031] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning, the system being used to perform image printing according to the multi-media continuous printing method based on image positioning as described in any of the first aspects, the multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning comprising at least:

[0032] The printhead is used to eject ink droplets onto the surface of the printing medium to form an image;

[0033] An image acquisition device is used to acquire a first image from a printing medium;

[0034] A nozzle moving device is used to drive the nozzle to move along the X direction or the Y direction, wherein the Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction;

[0035] A printing media delivery device is used to move the printing media along the Y direction.

[0036] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of the first aspect described above.

[0037] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0038] The multi-media continuous printing method, apparatus, and system based on image positioning provided in this invention can flexibly select either single-pass or multi-pass printing mode for image printing. Single-pass printing completes printing in one go, offering high efficiency; while multi-pass printing improves printing accuracy. Furthermore, by simultaneously resetting the printhead and changing the printing media, and combining this with an image acquisition device for accurate media positioning, it ensures seamless transitions between printing media after the previous one is completed, thereby shortening the time between continuous printing sessions and improving printing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0039] 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.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the OnePass printing system in the background technology.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-pass scanning printing system in the background art.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-pass scanning printing method in the background art.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the multi-media continuous printing method based on image positioning according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the image-based multi-media continuous printing system acquiring the first printing medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7a This is a schematic diagram of obtaining the offset angle based on the first image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 7b This is a schematic diagram of obtaining the offset angle based on the first image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-media continuous printing device based on image positioning according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Example 1

[0053] Please see Figure 4 This invention provides a multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning, the system comprising at least:

[0054] The printhead 10 is used to eject ink droplets onto the printing medium to form an image; the printhead 10 is disposed in the printhead moving device 50;

[0055] The image acquisition device 20 is used to acquire (capture or scan, etc.) the first image of the printing medium placed on the printing medium delivery device 40. The image acquisition device 20 can be set together with the printhead 10 in the printhead moving device 50 and move together with the printhead 10; or it can be set in other fixed or moving devices (such as crossbeams) and can be moved or fixed.

[0056] The printhead moving device 50 is positioned above the printing media conveying device 40 and is used to move the printhead 10 within a set printhead printing range (e.g., ...). Figure 4 Within the range H shown, it reciprocates along the X or Y direction.

[0057] The printing media conveying device 40 is located below the printhead moving device 50 and is used to drive the printing media (such as the first printing media 30, the second printing media 31, and the third printing media 32) placed on it to reciprocate in the forward or reverse direction along the Y direction.

[0058] In this image-based multi-media continuous printing system, driven by the printhead moving device 50, the printhead 10 can reciprocate along the Y and / or X directions, and the printhead conveying device 40 can convey multiple printheads. For example, the printhead conveying device 40 first transmits the first printhead 30 to the acquisition range of the image acquisition device 20. The image acquisition device 20 captures the positioning of the first printhead 30 by the positioning marks on the first printhead. If the first printhead 30 is within the printhead 10's printing range, the printhead 10 can be started for image printing. If the first printhead 30 is not within the printhead 10's printing range, it continues to move until it reaches the printhead 10's printing range before printing begins. After printing is completed, the printing media conveying device 40 moves the first printing media 30 outside the printhead printing range while simultaneously moving the second printing media 31 into the acquisition range of the image acquisition device 20 for positioning or printing. Similarly, after the second printing media 31 is printed, the printing media conveying device 40 moves the second printing media 31 outside the printhead printing range while simultaneously moving the third printing media 32 into the acquisition range of the image acquisition device for positioning or printing... until all printing media are printed.

[0059] This image-based, multi-media continuous printing system supports both single-pass and multi-pass scanning printing modes. In single-pass mode, the printhead completes the image printing in a single scan; while in multi-pass mode, multiple scans (at least two) are required to complete the image printing. The choice of printing mode depends on the required image printing precision. If the required image printing precision is higher than the printhead precision, multi-pass scanning mode can be used to achieve high-precision printing. If the required image printing precision is equal to or lower than the printhead precision, single-pass scanning mode can be selected to improve printing speed and efficiency.

[0060] Based on the above-described image-localization-based multi-media continuous printing system, this invention also provides an image-localization-based multi-media continuous printing method. For details, please refer to... Figure 5 The method includes the following steps:

[0061] S1: Move the first printing medium along the Y direction to the first designated position, and control the image acquisition device to acquire the first printing medium to obtain the first image, wherein the first designated position is within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device;

[0062] S2: Obtain the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image;

[0063] S3: If the placement of the first printing medium meets the preset conditions, then when the first printing medium is moved to the second designated position, the movement stops, and the printhead is controlled to move along the Y direction and / or X direction according to the printing mode and print an image onto the surface of the first printing medium, wherein the second designated position is within the printhead printing range, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0064] S4: After printing is completed, the first printing medium is moved along the Y direction to outside the printing range of the nozzle, while the second printing medium is moved along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0065] The printing modes in this embodiment include single-pass scanning printing mode and multi-pass scanning printing mode. The following embodiments two and three will specifically illustrate the printing process of the image-based multi-media continuous printing method in single-pass scanning printing mode and multi-pass scanning printing mode.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the printing mode is a single-pass scan printing mode.

[0068] Please see Figure 6 The printing media conveying device 40 drives the first printing media 30, the second printing media 31, etc., forward along the Y direction. The first printing media 30 first passes a first designated position below the image acquisition device 20 (the first designated position can be determined according to the actual situation, but must be within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device). The image acquisition device 20 (such as a scanner, camera, or camera) acquires (captures or scans) the first printing media 30 to obtain an electronic image of the first printing media 30, which is recorded as the first image. The placement of the first printing media can be obtained from the first image. The placement here mainly reflects whether the first printing media is placed correctly. Ideally, the correct placement of the first printing media is: one edge 301 of the first printing media 30 should be parallel to the X direction or the other edge 302 should be parallel to the Y direction. When the first printing media 30 is placed on the printing moving device 40, if its placement is deviated (such as skewed), the image data will not be printed in the correct position, resulting in printing errors or affecting the printing quality. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the first printing media 30 is placed correctly before printing.

[0069] In this embodiment of the invention, at least two positioning marks are set on the first printing medium 30 to assist in determining the placement of the first printing medium 30. For example... Figure 6 As shown, positioning marks "×" are respectively set near the four apex corners of the first printing medium 30, denoted as first positioning marks. In other embodiments, the positioning marks can also be graphic symbols "┬", "+", "┴", "·", etc. (the positioning marks can be selected according to the actual situation and are not limited here). (Except for diagonals) The line connecting two adjacent first positioning marks is parallel to the edge 301 or the edge 302 of the first printing medium. In other embodiments, only two or three first positioning marks can be set, and the correct placement of the printing medium can be determined based on two positioning marks.

[0070] Preferably, obtaining the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image includes:

[0071] Obtain the images corresponding to the two first positioning markers in the first image, and denote them as the second positioning markers;

[0072] Connect the two second positioning markers to obtain the first connection line;

[0073] Obtain the offset angle of the first connecting line relative to the X or Y direction;

[0074] The placement of the first printing medium is determined based on the offset angle.

[0075] After acquiring the first image, the images corresponding to the two first positioning marks in the first image are obtained from the first printing medium 30 and denoted as the second positioning marks. For example... Figure 7a The image shown is the first image acquired. Connect the two second positioning marks "×" to obtain the first connection line 111. Based on the offset angle of the first connection line 111 relative to the X direction or the offset angle of the first connection line relative to the Y direction, it can be determined whether the first printing medium is correctly placed. Figure 7a The first connecting line 111 forms an angle A with the X direction, meaning the first connecting line 111 is offset by an angle A relative to the X direction. Preferably, a preset angle threshold is set. If the offset angle A is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first printing medium is considered to be correctly positioned, with a placement offset so small as to be negligible or having little impact on the actual printing result. If the offset angle A is greater than or equal to the preset angle threshold, the large offset will inevitably affect the printing result, requiring manual or automatic correction of the placement position of the first printing medium 30. The preset angle threshold can be set according to actual conditions and is not limited here.

[0076] In another embodiment, the offset angle A can also be obtained in the following way:

[0077] Determine the origin of the coordinate system within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device 20;

[0078] Establish a rectangular coordinate system based on the origin;

[0079] Obtain the coordinates of the two second positioning markers in the coordinate system, and denote them as the first coordinate and the second coordinate, respectively;

[0080] The offset angle A is obtained based on the first and second coordinates.

[0081] For example, such as Figure 7b As shown, after acquiring the first image within the acquisition range—region 90—of the image acquisition device 20, a Cartesian coordinate system is established with the center point of region 90 as the origin. In other embodiments, the origin can also be any vertex of region 90, or any point within region 90. After establishing the Cartesian coordinate system, the coordinates of two adjacent second positioning marks in the first image are obtained and denoted as the first coordinate and the second coordinate, respectively. Figure 7b As shown, let the coordinates of the two second positioning marks above the first image be (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) respectively. The value of the offset angle A can be calculated according to the formula: tanA=|Y2-Y1| / |X2-X1|. The offset angle A is used to determine whether the first printing medium is placed correctly. If the offset angle A is greater than or equal to the preset angle threshold, the placement position of the first printing medium needs to be corrected manually or automatically by the machine.

[0082] The printing media transport device 40 continues to move the first printing medium 30 to the second designated position. If the first printing medium 30 is correctly positioned according to the first image (the first printing medium is positioned without offset or has been corrected), the printhead 10 is controlled to move (scan) along the Y or X direction and eject ink droplets onto the surface of the first printing medium 30 to form an image. The second designated position is determined based on the actual situation such as the printhead installation position and printhead printing stroke. The second designated position can be the same as or different from the first designated position, but it must be ensured that the first printing medium 30 is within the scanning and printing range of the printhead 10. In this embodiment, a single-pass scanning mode is used for printing. When the first printing medium 30 reaches the second designated position, it stops moving, and the printhead 10 moves from the printing starting position (e.g., ...). Figure 4Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6 (the leftmost end of the printhead printing range H), the printhead scans in the reverse direction along the Y direction, printing an image onto the surface of the first printing medium 30. In other embodiments, the printhead moving device 50 can also drive the printhead 10 to scan and print an image along the X direction. After printing is completed, the printing medium transfer device 40 moves the first printing medium 30 outside the printhead printing range, and simultaneously moves the second printing medium 31 to the acquisition range of the image acquisition device 20 (such as the first designated position). Furthermore, since image printing can be completed with a single pass scan, while moving the first printing medium 30 outside the printhead printing range, the printhead moving device 50 moves the printhead 10 back to the printing starting position along the Y direction, waiting for the second printing medium to move to the second designated position within the printhead printing range for the next image printing.

[0083] Compared to existing technologies where the printhead is reset to the starting position after printing before moving the printing medium, in this embodiment of the invention, the printhead reset and printing medium movement are performed simultaneously. Combined with an image acquisition device to position the printing medium, this ensures that the next printing medium can be printed seamlessly after the previous printing medium is finished, thereby shortening the time between consecutive printings and improving printing efficiency.

[0084] Example 3

[0085] In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the printing mode is a multi-pass scanning printing mode.

[0086] Similarly, please see Figure 6 The printing media conveying device 40 drives the first printing media 30 and the second printing media 31 forward along the Y direction. The first printing media 30 first passes a first designated position below the image acquisition device 20, and the image acquisition device 20 acquires an electronic image of the first printing media 30, which is denoted as the first image. The placement of the first printing media is determined based on the first image, and the specific process is the same as described in Embodiment 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] When the printing media conveying device 40 continues to move the first printing medium 30 to the second designated position, if the first printing medium 30 is correctly positioned according to the first image, the printhead 10 is controlled to scan along the Y or X direction and eject ink droplets onto the first printing medium 30 to form an image. In this embodiment, a multi-pass scanning mode is used for printing; for example, a 2-pass printing mode is used for image printing. When the first printing medium 30 reaches the second designated position, it stops moving, and the printhead 10 moves from the printing starting position (e.g., ...). Figure 4Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6 (the leftmost end of the printhead printing range H), the printhead 10 scans in the reverse direction along the Y direction, ejecting ink onto the surface of the first printing medium 30 to complete the first pass of printing. Then, the printhead moving device 50 moves the printhead 10 a certain step distance in the X direction (the first printing medium 30 remains stationary), and then scans in the Y direction to eject ink onto the surface of the first printing medium 30, completing the second pass of printing. In other embodiments, the printhead moving device 50 can also move the printhead 10 in the X direction to complete the first pass of printing, and then move the printhead 10 in the Y direction (or the opposite direction of the Y direction) a certain step distance, and then scans in the reverse direction along the X direction to eject ink onto the surface of the first printing medium 30, completing the second pass of printing.

[0088] After printing is completed, the printing media transport device 40 moves the first printing medium 30 outside the printhead printing range, and simultaneously moves the second printing medium 31 to the acquisition range of the image acquisition device (such as the first designated position). Since the printhead 10 has already moved back to the printing start position in the second pass, the next image printing can begin only after the second printing medium 31 moves to the second designated position within the printhead printing range. It is worth noting that in multi-pass scanning printing modes with an even number of scans, such as 2-pass, 4-pass, 6-pass, etc., the printhead 10 will eventually return to the printing start position after an even number of scans after starting printing from the printing start position. However, for multi-pass printing modes with an odd number of scans, such as 3-pass, 5-pass, etc., after printing is completed, the printhead 10 will be located at the other end of the printhead printing range (referred to as the printing end position). The printhead 10 can be controlled to start scanning from the printing end position, or it can be moved back to the printing start position before starting scanning. The specific choice can be determined according to the actual situation and is not limited here.

[0089] Multi-pass printing improves printing accuracy compared to single-pass printing; the more passes, the higher the accuracy. Similarly, in multi-pass printing, the printhead reset and printing media movement can occur simultaneously. Combined with an image acquisition device for media positioning, this ensures a seamless transition from one printing medium to the next, thus shortening the time between consecutive prints and improving printing efficiency.

[0090] Example 4

[0091] Based on the above embodiment one, please refer to Figure 8 Embodiment 4 of the present invention also provides a multi-media continuous printing system based on image positioning, the system comprising at least:

[0092] The printhead 10 is disposed in the printhead moving device 50 and is used to eject ink droplets onto the printing medium to form an image.

[0093] The printing media detection device 70 is located above the paper input end (the end where the printing media is placed) of the printing media conveying device 40, and is used to detect whether there is printing media on the printing media conveying device.

[0094] Image acquisition device 20 is used to acquire the first image from the printing medium. Image acquisition device 20 can be set together with printhead 10 in printhead moving device 50 and move together with printhead 10, or it can be set in other fixed or moving devices such as crossbeams and can be moved or fixed.

[0095] The printhead moving device 50 is located above the printing media conveying device 40 and is used to drive the printhead 10 to reciprocate along the X or Y direction within the set printhead printing range.

[0096] The printing media conveying device 40 is located below the printhead moving device 50 and is used to drive the printing media placed on it to move in the forward or reverse direction of the Y direction.

[0097] In this embodiment of the invention, the image-based multi-media continuous printing system adds a printing media detection device 70, which can be a laser sensor, image sensor, infrared sensor, or other sensor device. During actual printing, when production personnel place printing media on the printing media conveying device 40, the interval between each printing media is not a fixed value. This can easily cause the image acquisition device 20 to detect that the positioning mark of the printing media is outside the acquisition range, resulting in the inability to obtain the placement status of the printing media. The added printing media detection module 70 can detect whether printing media is placed on the printing media conveying device 40 and the position information of the printing media. When the printing media placed by the production staff from the paper feed end of the printing media conveying device 40 is moved into the detection range of the printing media detection device 70, it will be detected by the printing media detection device 70. At this time, the printing media detection device 70 will generate a trigger signal and drive the system to record the time when the current trigger signal is generated, which is recorded as the first trigger time. Then, based on the speed of the printing media (i.e. the speed of the printing media conveying device) and the distance between the image acquisition device 20 and the printing media detection device 70, the time interval (recorded as the compensation time) between the printing media moving from the printing media detection device 70 to the image acquisition device 20 is calculated. The first trigger time is added to the compensation time to obtain the time when the printing media moves to the image acquisition device 20, which is recorded as the second trigger time. The system triggers the image acquisition device 20 to start acquiring the image of the printing media according to the second trigger time, thereby ensuring that the image of the printing media is acquired within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device.

[0098] Example 5

[0099] Based on the above embodiment four, embodiment five of the present invention provides a multi-media continuous printing method based on image positioning, the method comprising:

[0100] The control unit detects whether the first printing medium is present;

[0101] When the first printing medium is detected, the first trigger time is obtained;

[0102] The time it takes for the first printing medium to enter the acquisition range of the image acquisition device is obtained based on the distance between the image acquisition device and the printing medium detection device and the moving speed of the first printing medium, and is recorded as the compensation time.

[0103] The second trigger time is obtained based on the first trigger time and the compensation time;

[0104] The image acquisition device is controlled to acquire the first image from the first printing medium according to the second trigger time;

[0105] The placement of the printing medium is obtained based on the first image;

[0106] If the placement of the first printing medium meets the preset conditions, then when the first printing medium is moved to the second designated position, the movement stops, and the printhead is controlled to move along the Y direction and / or X direction according to the printing mode and print an image onto the surface of the first printing medium, wherein the second designated position is within the printhead printing range, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0107] After printing is completed, the first printing medium is moved along the Y direction to outside the printing range of the printhead, while the second printing medium is moved along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0108] Specifically, when the printing medium placed by the production personnel from the paper feed end of the printing medium conveying device 40 moves into the detection range of the printing medium detection device 70, the printing medium detection device 70 detects the placement of printing medium and sends a trigger signal. The system records the time of the current trigger signal and records it as the first trigger time. Based on the speed of the printing medium movement (i.e., the speed of the printing medium conveying device) and the distance between the image acquisition device 20 and the printing medium detection device 70, the time interval between the printing medium moving from the printing medium detection device 70 to the image acquisition device 20 is calculated and recorded as the compensation time. The first trigger time is added to the compensation time to obtain the definite time when the printing medium moves to the image acquisition device 20 and is recorded as the second trigger time. The printing system triggers the image acquisition device 20 to start acquiring the image of the printing medium to obtain the first image based on the second trigger time. After acquiring the first image, the system obtains the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image and controls the printhead 10 to spray ink along the Y or X direction to print the image onto the printing medium. The specific process is the same as described in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0109] This invention combines a printing media detection device 70 and an image acquisition device 20 to obtain the position and placement of the printing media, enabling precise positioning and printing of the printing media. This ensures that the next printing media can be printed seamlessly after the previous printing media is completed, thereby shortening the continuous printing time and improving printing efficiency.

[0110] Example 6

[0111] Please see Figure 9 This invention provides a multi-media continuous printing apparatus 200 based on image positioning, the apparatus 200 comprising:

[0112] The acquisition module 201 moves the first printing medium along the Y direction to a first designated position and controls the image acquisition device to acquire the first printing medium to obtain a first image, wherein the first designated position is located within the acquisition range of the image acquisition device;

[0113] The acquisition module 202 is used to acquire the placement of the first printing medium based on the first image;

[0114] The printing module 203 is configured to, if the placement of the first printing medium meets the preset conditions, stop moving the first printing medium when it is moved to the second specified position, and control the printhead to move along the Y direction and / or X direction according to the printing mode and print an image onto the surface of the first printing medium, wherein the second specified position is located within the printhead printing range, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0115] The moving module 204 is used to move the first printing medium along the Y direction to outside the print head printing range after printing is completed, while simultaneously moving the second printing medium along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0116] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0117] The reset module is used to move the printhead to the printing start position while moving the second printing medium along the Y direction to the first designated position.

[0118] Preferably, the first printing medium includes at least two first positioning marks, and the line connecting the two first positioning marks is parallel to one edge of the first printing medium; the acquisition module 202 includes:

[0119] The second positioning mark acquisition unit is used to acquire the image corresponding to the two first positioning marks in the first image, and denoted as the second positioning mark;

[0120] A connecting unit is used to connect two second positioning marks to obtain a first connecting line;

[0121] An angle acquisition unit is used to acquire the offset angle of the first connecting line relative to the X direction or the Y direction;

[0122] The placement status acquisition unit is used to acquire the placement status of the first printing medium based on the offset angle.

[0123] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0124] The detection module is used to control the printing media detection device to detect whether there is a first printing media.

[0125] The first trigger time acquisition module is used to acquire the first trigger time when the first printing medium is detected;

[0126] The compensation time acquisition module is used to acquire the time when the first printing medium enters the acquisition range of the image acquisition device based on the distance between the image acquisition device and the printing medium detection device and the moving speed of the first printing medium, and record it as the compensation time.

[0127] The second trigger time acquisition module is used to acquire a second trigger time based on the first trigger time and the compensation time.

[0128] In summary, the image-based multi-media continuous printing device provided in this embodiment of the invention can flexibly select either single-pass or multi-pass printing mode for image printing. Single-pass printing completes printing in one go, resulting in high efficiency; while multi-pass printing improves printing accuracy. Furthermore, by simultaneously resetting the printhead and changing the printing media, and combining this with an image acquisition device for accurate media positioning, it ensures seamless transitions between printing media after the previous one is completed, thereby shortening the time between continuous printing sessions and improving printing efficiency.

[0129] Example 7

[0130] Furthermore, in conjunction with the image-based multi-media continuous printing method described 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 executed by the processor 301, these computer program instructions implement any of the image-based multi-media continuous printing methods described in the above embodiments.

[0131] In summary, the image-based multi-media continuous printing method, apparatus, and system provided in this invention can flexibly select either single-pass or multi-pass printing modes for image printing. Single-pass printing completes printing in one go, resulting in high efficiency; while multi-pass printing improves printing accuracy. Furthermore, by simultaneously resetting the printhead and changing the printing media, and by using an image acquisition device to accurately position the printing media, it ensures seamless transitions between printing media after the previous one is completed, thereby shortening the time between continuous printing sessions and improving printing efficiency.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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. A multi-print media continuous printing method based on image positioning, characterized by, The method comprises: controlling a printing medium detection device to detect whether there is a first printing medium; when the first printing medium is detected, obtaining a first trigger time; obtaining a time when the first printing medium enters a collection range of the image collection device according to a distance between the image collection device and the printing medium detection device and a moving speed of the first printing medium, and recording the time as a compensation time; obtaining a second trigger time according to the first trigger time and the compensation time; triggering the image collection device to collect the first printing medium to obtain a first image according to the second trigger time; obtaining a placement condition of the first printing medium according to the first image; if the placement condition of the first printing medium meets a preset condition, stopping moving when the first printing medium is moved to a second specified position, controlling a nozzle to move and print an image on a surface of the first printing medium along a Y direction and / or an X direction according to a printing mode, the printing mode comprising a single-pass scanning printing mode and a multi-pass scanning printing mode, wherein the second specified position is located in a printing range of the nozzle, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other; after printing is completed, moving the first printing medium along the Y direction to a position outside the printing range of the nozzle while moving a second printing medium along the Y direction to a first specified position, the first specified position being located in the collection range of the image collection device; and moving the nozzle to a printing starting position while moving the second printing medium along the Y direction to the first specified position.

2. The image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first specified position and the second specified position are the same or different.

3. The image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first printing medium comprises at least two first positioning marks, and a line connecting the two first positioning marks is parallel to an edge of the first printing medium. The method of obtaining the placement condition of the first printing medium according to the first image comprises: obtaining images corresponding to the two first positioning marks in the first image, and recording the images as second positioning marks; connecting the two second positioning marks to obtain a first line; obtaining an offset angle of the first line relative to the X direction or the Y direction; obtaining the placement condition of the first printing medium according to the offset angle.

4. The image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing method according to claim 3, wherein, The preset condition is that the offset angle is less than or equal to a preset angle threshold.

5. An image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing apparatus, characterized by, The device comprises: a collection module, configured to control a printing medium detection device to detect whether there is a first printing medium; when the first printing medium is detected, obtain a first trigger time; obtain a time when the first printing medium enters a collection range of an image collection device according to a distance between the image collection device and the printing medium detection device and a moving speed of the first printing medium, and record the time as a compensation time; obtain a second trigger time according to the first trigger time and the compensation time; and trigger the image collection device to collect the first printing medium to obtain a first image according to the second trigger time; a obtaining module, configured to obtain a placement condition of the first printing medium according to the first image. The printing module is configured to, if the placement of the first printing medium meets a preset condition, stop moving the first printing medium to a second designated position, control the printhead to move and print an image on the surface of the first printing medium according to a printing mode along a Y direction and / or an X direction, the printing mode including a single-pass scanning printing mode and a multi-pass scanning printing mode, wherein the second designated position is within the printing range of the printhead, and the Y direction and the X direction are perpendicular to each other. The moving module is configured to, after the printing is completed, move the first printing medium along the Y direction to a position outside the printing range of the printhead, and simultaneously move a second printing medium along the Y direction to a first designated position within the image acquisition range of the image acquisition device, and simultaneously move the printhead to a printing start position while moving the second printing medium along the Y direction to the first designated position.

6. An image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing system, characterized by, The system is configured to perform image printing according to the image-based multi-printing medium continuous printing method as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, and the system at least includes: a printhead configured to eject ink droplets to the surface of a printing medium to form an image; an image acquisition device configured to acquire a first image of the printing medium; a printhead moving device configured to drive the printhead to move along an X direction or a Y direction, wherein the Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction; a printing medium conveying device configured to drive the printing medium to move along the Y direction.

7. An image-based positioning multi-print media continuous printing system according to claim 6, wherein, The system further includes: a printing medium detection device configured to detect whether the printing medium conveying device is placed with a printing medium.

Images