A control method, device and storage medium for a multi-beam multi-station printer carriage

Abstract

The present invention discloses a control method, device and storage medium for multi-beam multi-station printing, including step S1, in which two independent groups of nozzle carriages are respectively set in a multi-station printer, and white ink and color ink are respectively configured; S2, when the system detects a printing task, the pattern of the task to be printed is interpreted as a white ink task and a color ink task, and the task information is sent to the nozzle carriage; S3, after the nozzle carriage receives the task information, it requests a platen. The present invention achieves one of the following beneficial technical effects or a combination of probabilities through the above technical scheme: Higher productivity: Each station calls a carriage with a different beam for printing, and the dual-beam model can provide a productivity output approximately equal to that of two machines.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of printers, and in particular to a control method, equipment and storage medium for multi-beam multi-station printing. Background Art

[0002] The common working mode of printers is that a single carriage moves on a beam to print. The upper limit of the productivity of a single machine lies in the printing speed of the carriage. Another influencing factor is the loading and unloading of materials. Therefore, multi-station models have emerged, that is, when the carriage is printing at one station, other stations can simultaneously perform loading and unloading operations. The purpose is to maintain the continuous printing output of the carriage without being interrupted by the loading and unloading of materials, thereby ensuring the maximum productivity output. When the printing speed of a single carriage reaches its limit, the process of loading and unloading materials has also been fully optimized, and the productivity upper limit of a single machine will be faced. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve at least one technical problem existing in the background technology, the present invention provides a control method for multi-beam multi-station printing, the steps are as follows:

[0004] S1, in a multi-station printer, two independent groups of nozzle carriages are set up, and white ink and color ink are configured respectively;

[0005] S2, when the system detects a printing task, it interprets the pattern of the task to be printed as a white ink task and a color ink task, and sends the task information to the printhead carriage;

[0006] S3, after receiving the task information, the printhead carriage requests the platen;

[0007] S4, after receiving the request, the platen control system transfers the platen to the nozzle carriage;

[0008] S5, the printhead carriage detects the platen entering and starts the printing task;

[0009] S6, printing is completed, and the platen after completing the task is transferred to the standby position to wait for a new request from the nozzle carriage.

[0010] Preferably, after dispensing white ink and color ink, the two groups of carts in S1 have label information of white ink cart and color ink cart, and the white ink and color ink also include a combination with varnish.

[0011] Preferably, in S2, the white ink task and the color ink task are sent to the white ink cart and the color ink cart respectively.

[0012] Preferably, in S3, after the nozzle carriage receives the task, it sends a platen request to the platen control system, and the platen control system transfers the first standby platen to the nozzle carriage and sends a printing task to the platen.

[0013] Furthermore, in S4, after the platen is transferred to the nozzle carriage, the printing task is confirmed again to see whether it is consistent with the current nozzle carriage. If so, the task is started; if not, the platen returns to the standby position, and the platen task returns to the platen control system, which reallocates the platen and the printing task.

[0014] A multi-beam multi-station printing device comprises at least one processor, at least one memory and computer program instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method described is implemented.

[0015] A storage medium for multi-beam multi-station printing includes computer program instructions that implement the above-mentioned method when executed by a processor.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the above-mentioned technical scheme realizes the independent allocation of white ink tasks and color ink tasks to give the printer higher productivity. After independently running the tasks, each workstation calls a trolley with a different beam to print. The double-beam (double-trolley) model can provide productivity output equivalent to that of two machines. In addition, by establishing a task model, when the number of tasks of either white ink or color ink exceeds the other, the task model automatically divides the tasks to balance the number, so as to reduce the assembly line task mode within the highest unit time to improve work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a control method for multi-beam multi-station printing of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clear, the invention of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0019] Example 1

[0020] The present invention provides a control method for multi-beam multi-station printing, the steps of which are as follows:

[0021] S1, in a multi-station printer, two independent groups of nozzle carriages are set up, and white ink and color ink are configured respectively;

[0022] S2, when the system detects a printing task, it interprets the pattern of the task to be printed as a white ink task and a color ink task, and sends the task information to the printhead carriage;

[0023] S3, after receiving the task information, the printhead carriage requests the platen;

[0024] S4, after receiving the request, the platen control system transfers the platen to the nozzle carriage;

[0025] S5, the printhead carriage detects the platen entering and starts the printing task;

[0026] S6, printing is completed, and the platen after completing the task is transferred to the standby position to wait for a new request from the nozzle carriage.

[0027] Preferably, after dispensing white ink and color ink, the two groups of carts in S1 have label information of white ink cart and color ink cart, and the white ink and color ink also include a combination with varnish.

[0028] Preferably, the white ink printing parameters are set, and the printing resolution, ink volume, printing speed and other parameters are adjusted according to the characteristics of the printing material and the requirements of the pattern. For example, when printing on thicker materials, the ink volume can be appropriately increased to improve the coverage and vividness of the white ink; when printing fine patterns, the resolution can be increased to ensure the clarity of the white ink.

[0029] Preferably, if it is determined that there are more white ink printing tasks than color ink printing tasks, there is no need to wait for the color ink printing tasks to be completed, and the next white ink task operation can be directly performed or a new printing task instruction can be accepted. If it is determined that there are more color ink tasks than white ink tasks, there is no need to wait for the white ink tasks to be completed, and the next color ink task can be directly performed.

[0030] Preferably, in S2, the white ink task and the color ink task are sent to the white ink cart and the color ink cart respectively.

[0031] Preferably, in S3, after the nozzle carriage receives the task, it sends a platen request to the platen control system, and the platen control system transfers the first standby platen to the nozzle carriage and sends a printing task to the platen.

[0032] Furthermore, in S4, after the platen is transferred to the nozzle carriage, the printing task is confirmed again to see whether it is consistent with the current nozzle carriage. If so, the task is started; if not, the platen returns to the standby position, and the platen task returns to the platen control system, which reallocates the platen and the printing task.

[0033] A multi-beam multi-station printing device comprises at least one processor, at least one memory and computer program instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method described is implemented.

[0034] A storage medium for multi-beam multi-station printing includes a computer program and a data structure for implementing the above-described method when the computer program instructions are executed by a processor.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] A control method for multi-beam multi-station printing, the steps are as follows:

[0037] S1, establishing a task pattern analysis model, performing pattern analysis on the pattern to be printed, and outputting the analyzed pattern as a white pattern and a color pattern respectively;

[0038] S2, based on the white pattern and color pattern obtained in S1, re-establish the white pattern task and the color pattern task;

[0039] S3, according to the established white pattern task and color pattern task, send the task request to the corresponding white ink nozzle carriage and color ink nozzle carriage respectively;

[0040] S4, establish a task model, calculate the task time according to the inkjet speed of the nozzle carriage, when the white ink task is more than the color ink task, cut the excess white ink task pattern into half, and then establish a new white ink task group; when the color ink task is more than the white ink task, cut the excess color ink task pattern into half, and then establish a new color ink task group;

[0041] until the two are equal;

[0042] S5, according to the task model established in S4, assigning the obtained tasks to the sprinkler carriage in the order of white-color-white-color;

[0043] S6, the printhead carriage requests the platen according to the task type. After the platen is transferred to the printhead carriage, it confirms the printing task again to see if it is consistent with the current printhead carriage. If yes, the task starts. If not, the platen returns to the standby position and the task is returned to the task model for reallocation.

[0044] S7, after printing is completed, check whether the number of tasks in the task model is equal to zero, if so, end, if not, return to S3.

[0045] Preferably, in S1, the pattern to be printed is analyzed, and the image recognition algorithm can accurately distinguish the different colors, grayscale levels and texture features in the pattern. According to the analysis results, the pattern is automatically divided into two parts: the area that needs to be printed with white ink and the area that needs to be printed with color ink. The part with high brightness, pure white or needing to emphasize contrast is marked as the white ink task area; and the part containing rich color information is marked as the color ink task area.

[0046] Preferably, in S3, the task request is issued by the task model, and the task model determines whether the nozzle trolley has idle resources. If yes, the task request is sent to the corresponding nozzle trolley, and if no, the task model continues to wait.

[0047] Preferably, in S7, the task model further includes the number of tasks, and the number of tasks indicates how many tasks have not been printed. Only when all tasks have been printed, the number of tasks in the task model will become 0.

[0048] Preferably, the nozzle carriage detects the current ink volume before each printing. When it detects that the ink volume is insufficient for the current task or the total task volume, the control system of the task carriage sends an alarm signal to the operator, informing the operator of the insufficient ink volume and whether it involves the white ink nozzle or the color ink nozzle.

[0049] Preferably, when any of the nozzle carriages detects that the ink volume is insufficient to complete the total number of tasks, a warning signal is sent to the operator, and a prompt is given that the ink volume is insufficient to complete the (n+1)th task after the nth task.

[0050] The present invention is suitable for multi-beam and multi-station printing scenarios, can improve printing efficiency and quality, and has precise pattern analysis functions: it can accurately identify different areas in a pattern, and provide a basis for subsequent task establishment and printing; efficient task allocation: task requests are made according to the idle resources of the nozzle carriage, and resource utilization is improved; flexible task adjustment: adjustments are made according to the number of white ink tasks and color ink tasks to ensure that the two are equal, and the balance of printing is improved; orderly task allocation sequence: tasks are allocated in the order of white-color-white-color, which can better coordinate the printing of different colors and improve the printing effect; real-time task completion detection: unfinished tasks can be discovered in a timely manner to ensure that all tasks are printed.

[0051] In order to better achieve uniform printing time for each task, the task model also includes a method for segmenting the established white ink task pattern and the color ink task pattern.

[0052] First cutting: The first cutting is performed based on the difference in the number of initial white ink tasks and color ink tasks. If the number of white ink tasks is greater than the number of color ink tasks, the excess white ink task patterns are cut into half; if the number of color ink tasks is greater than the number of white ink tasks, the excess color ink task patterns are cut into half.

[0053] Iterative cutting: After the first cutting, recalculate the number of white ink tasks and color ink tasks. If there is still a difference in quantity, continue the cutting operation. The step-by-step cutting method can be adopted, and the proportion of each cutting can be adjusted according to the actual situation. For example, one-third or one-quarter of the task pattern can be cut each time to avoid excessive cutting and deterioration of pattern quality;

[0054] Dynamic adjustment: During the cutting process, the number of white ink tasks and color ink tasks, as well as the resource utilization of the printhead carriages, should be monitored in real time. The cutting strategy should be adjusted dynamically according to the actual situation. For example, if a printhead carriage is found to be faulty or resource-constrained, the cutting ratio can be adjusted to assign more tasks to other printhead carriages.

[0055] In order to achieve better task scheduling effect, the task model also includes a task analysis module, a task scheduling module, a task execution module and a task monitoring module;

[0056] The task analysis module includes a pattern analysis submodule and a task generation submodule, wherein the advanced image recognition algorithm is used to accurately identify the different colors, grayscale levels and texture features in the pattern to be printed. It can not only accurately distinguish between high-brightness, pure white or parts that need to emphasize contrast and parts containing rich color information, but also further identify subtle features such as saturation and hue changes of different colors, so as to more accurately divide the white ink task area and the color ink task area; for complex patterns, deep learning algorithms can be introduced for more in-depth analysis to improve the accuracy and adaptability of pattern analysis. For example, VGGNet can be used. In terms of pattern analysis, VGGNet can deeply explore the detailed features of the pattern. For patterns with subtle texture differences and complex hierarchical structures, VGGNet can better capture these features, which helps to more accurately identify the color requirements and printing requirements of different parts of the pattern;

[0057] The task generation submodule generates white pattern tasks and color pattern tasks according to the pattern analysis results, and records the characteristic information of each task in detail, such as color requirements, pattern complexity, and estimated printing time.

[0058] The task scheduling module includes a resource monitoring submodule, a task allocation submodule and a task adjustment submodule;

[0059] The resource monitoring submodule monitors the status of the white inkjet carriage and the color inkjet carriage in real time, including whether they are idle, the current task progress, the remaining ink capacity, etc. At the same time, it monitors the position and status of the platen to ensure that the platen can respond to task requests in a timely manner; establishes a resource status database so that it can quickly query and make decisions when allocating tasks;

[0060] When a new task is generated, the task allocation submodule first determines whether there are idle resources in the printhead trolley. If there are, the most suitable printhead trolley is selected for task allocation based on the characteristic information of the task and the performance characteristics of the printhead trolley. For example, for complex color pattern tasks, priority is given to color inkjet trolleys with fast inkjet speed and high color reproduction. Considering the urgency and priority of the task, resources can be allocated first for urgent tasks or orders from important customers to ensure timely completion.

[0061] The task adjustment submodule continuously monitors the number and progress of white ink tasks and color ink tasks. When there are more white ink tasks than color ink tasks, not only are the excess color ink task patterns cut into halves, but they can also be intelligently cut according to the characteristics of the patterns to ensure that the tasks after cutting are more reasonable in terms of printing effect and time. For example, for large-area color patterns, the edge parts can be cut first to reduce the impact on the overall pattern. Similarly, when there are more color ink tasks than white ink tasks, the excess white ink task patterns are intelligently cut to create a new white ink task group until the two are equal. During the cutting process, the continuity and integrity of the tasks are fully considered to avoid situations where it is difficult to splice the tasks after cutting.

[0062] The task execution module includes a task confirmation submodule and a task execution submodule. After the printhead trolley requests the platen according to the task type, the task confirmation submodule performs a more rigorous task confirmation. In addition to confirming whether the printing task is consistent with the current printhead trolley, it can also scan the identification code or sensor information on the platen to further confirm whether the specifications and materials of the platen meet the task requirements;

[0063] The task execution submodule, after starting the task, monitors various parameters in the printing process in real time, such as inkjet speed, ink flow, nozzle temperature, etc. If abnormal parameters are found, the task is adjusted or suspended in time to ensure the printing quality. For large tasks, segmented printing can be adopted, and quality inspection is performed after each task is completed to ensure the stability of the printing quality of the entire task.

[0064] The task monitoring module includes a progress monitoring submodule, a quality detection submodule and a data analysis submodule;

[0065] The progress monitoring submodule updates the number of tasks and progress information in the task model in real time. By communicating with the printhead carriage and the platen, the current status of each task is obtained, including the proportion of the printed part, the estimated remaining time, etc., and the task progress is displayed in a visual way, so that the administrator can understand the printing status at any time.

[0066] The quality inspection submodule performs quality inspection on the task during or after printing. Optical inspection, color analyzer and other equipment can be used to detect printing precision, color accuracy, contrast and other indicators; if quality problems are found, the task is marked as unqualified in a timely manner and the relevant personnel are notified to handle it. It can decide whether to reprint or repair according to the severity of the problem;

[0067] The data analysis submodule collects and analyzes various data in the printing process, such as task completion time, resource utilization, quality problem distribution, etc. Through data analysis, potential problems and optimization points are discovered, providing a basis for further improving the task model, and establishing data reports and trend analysis charts to help administrators better understand the operation of the printing business.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technical personnel in this field can make some changes or modify the technical contents disclosed above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any brief modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for multi-beam multi-station printing, characterized in that: Here are the steps: S1, in a multi-station printer, two independent groups of nozzle carriages are set up, and white ink and color ink are configured respectively, and a task pattern analysis model is established; S2, when the system detects a printing task, it interprets the pattern of the task to be printed as a white ink task and a color ink task, and sends the task information to the printhead carriage; S3, when the system detects a printing task, it establishes a task model, calculates the task time according to the inkjet speed of the printhead carriage, and when the white ink task is more than the color ink task, cuts the excess white ink task pattern into half, and then establishes a new white ink task group; when the color ink task is more than the white ink task, cuts the excess color ink task pattern into half, and then establishes a new color ink task group, until the two are equal, and according to the task model, distributes the obtained tasks to the printhead carriage in the order of white-color-white-color task; S4, after the printhead carriage receives the task information, it requests the platen. After the platen is transmitted to the printhead carriage, it confirms the printing task again to see if it is consistent with the current printhead carriage. If yes, the task starts. If not, the platen returns to the standby position and the task is returned to the task model for reallocation. S5, the printhead carriage detects the platen entering and starts the printing task; S6, after completing the task, the platen is transferred to the standby position to wait for a new request from the nozzle carriage; S7, after printing is completed, check whether the number of tasks in the task model is equal to zero, if so, end, if not, return to S3; The task model also includes a method for segmenting the already established white ink task pattern and the color ink task pattern; The first cutting is performed according to the difference in the number of initial white ink tasks and color ink tasks. When the white ink tasks are more than the color ink tasks, the excess white ink task patterns are cut into half; when the color ink tasks are more than the white ink tasks, the excess color ink task patterns are cut into half. Iterative cutting: After the first cutting, recalculate the number of white ink tasks and color ink tasks. If there is still a difference in quantity, continue the cutting operation, using a step-by-step cutting method, and adjust the proportion of each cutting according to the actual situation. Dynamic adjustment: During the cutting process, the number of white ink tasks and color ink tasks, as well as the resource utilization of the printhead carriage, should be monitored in real time, and the cutting strategy should be adjusted dynamically according to the actual situation. The task model also includes a task analysis module, a task scheduling module, a task execution module and a task monitoring module; The task analysis module includes a pattern analysis submodule and a task generation submodule, wherein the pattern analysis submodule uses an image recognition algorithm to accurately identify different colors, gray levels and texture features in the pattern to be printed, so as to better divide the white ink task area and the color ink task area; for complex patterns, a deep learning algorithm is introduced for analysis; The task generation submodule generates white pattern tasks and color pattern tasks respectively according to the pattern analysis results; for each task, the feature information of the task is recorded in detail; The task scheduling module includes a resource monitoring submodule, a task allocation submodule and a task adjustment submodule; The resource monitoring submodule monitors the status of the white ink jet carriage and the color ink jet carriage in real time, including whether they are idle, the current task progress, and the remaining ink capacity. At the same time, it monitors the position and status of the platen to ensure that the platen can respond to task requests in a timely manner; establishes a resource status database so that quick queries and decisions can be made when tasks are assigned; The task allocation submodule, when a new task is generated, first determines whether the nozzle carriage has idle resources; The task adjustment submodule continuously monitors the quantity and progress of white ink tasks and color ink tasks; The task execution module includes a task confirmation submodule and a task execution submodule. The task confirmation submodule performs task confirmation after the nozzle trolley requests the platen according to the task type; The task execution submodule monitors various parameters of the printing process in real time after the nozzle carriage starts the task; The task monitoring module includes a progress monitoring submodule, a quality detection submodule and a data analysis submodule; The progress monitoring submodule updates the task quantity and progress information in the task model in real time; The quality inspection submodule performs quality inspection on the task during or after printing; The data analysis submodule collects and analyzes various data during the printing process.

2. A control method for multi-beam multi-station printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: In S4, after the nozzle carriage receives the task, it sends a platen request to the platen control system. The platen control system transfers the first standby platen to the nozzle carriage and sends a printing task to the platen.

3. The control method for multi-beam multi-station printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The white ink nozzle carriage sets white ink printing parameters and adjusts the parameters of printing resolution, ink volume and printing speed according to the characteristics of the printing material and the requirements of the pattern.

4. A multi-beam multi-station printing device, characterized in that: The method comprises at least one processor, at least one memory and computer program instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is implemented.

5. A storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises implementing any one of claims 1 to 3 when the computer program instructions are executed by a processor.

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