Printer detection method, apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of print equipment nozzle blockage detection, and particularly relates to a printer detection method, device, equipment and storage medium. The printer detection method comprises the following steps: obtaining detection printing data of a first color channel as first detection printing data, the first color channel being a color channel to be detected; replacing ink dot data in the first detection printing data with ink dot data obtained by mixing printing of the first color channel and a second color channel to obtain second detection printing data, and replacing the ink dot data in the first detection printing data with ink dot data obtained by single printing of the second color channel to obtain third detection printing data; printing a first detection image according to the second detection printing data and the third detection printing data; and detecting nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection image; wherein ink color corresponding to the second color channel is different from ink color corresponding to the first color channel. The present application can accurately detect nozzle blockage of a print head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nozzle clogging detection technology for printing equipment, and more particularly to a printer detection method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the operation of industrial inkjet printers, the printer head ejects ink droplets onto the printing medium to form images. After printing for a period of time, ink or dust residue easily remains on the printhead nozzles, leading to nozzle clogging. This article refers to nozzles in this situation as abnormal nozzles. The image corresponding to abnormal nozzles often shows broken lines or poor quality, severely impacting image quality. Since the printed effect differs between normal and clogged printhead nozzles, the applicant proposes printing a test image on the printing medium under the printhead, and then analyzing this image to identify clogged nozzles. This allows for targeted processing during subsequent printing. Image printing often uses multiple colors of ink, with different colors printed using different color channels. However, some ink colors have poor visibility on the printing medium, making it difficult to accurately detect ink droplet placement, whether by the naked eye or some cameras. In such cases, it is difficult to accurately detect the location of clogged nozzles based on the image printed from the printhead nozzles. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a printer detection method, apparatus, device, and storage medium to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the printhead nozzle blockage cannot be accurately detected through printed images.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a printer detection method, the method comprising the following steps:

[0006] The detection and printing data of the first color channel is obtained as the first detection and printing data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected;

[0007] The second detection print data is obtained by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel. The third detection print data is obtained by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone.

[0008] The first inspection image is printed based on the second and third inspection printing data;

[0009] The blockage status of the nozzles in the first color channel is detected based on the first detection image;

[0010] The ink color corresponding to the second color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0011] Preferably, step S4: detecting the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel based on the first detection pattern includes the following steps:

[0012] The printing status of the second color channel is checked to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal.

[0013] If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram;

[0014] If it is not normal, the third color channel is used instead of the second color channel for printing to obtain a new first detection image;

[0015] The nozzle blockage status of the first color channel is detected based on the new first detection diagram;

[0016] The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0017] Preferably, the step of detecting the printing status of the second color channel and determining whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal further includes the following steps:

[0018] Based on the image printed from the third detection print data in the first detection image, detect whether the nozzle of the second color channel is blocked;

[0019] Based on the image printed from the second detection printing data in the first detection image, determine whether the color matching of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate;

[0020] If the nozzles of the second color channel are not blocked and the registration of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate, then the printing of the second color channel is normal; otherwise, the printing of the second color channel is abnormal.

[0021] Preferably, the step of detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection pattern if normal further includes the following steps:

[0022] Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the first detection image;

[0023] Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data;

[0024] If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing position is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked.

[0025] If the difference between the Lab value at a certain position and the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel is less than or equal to the first threshold, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0026] Preferably, the step of replacing the second color channel with a third color channel to obtain a new first detection image if it is abnormal further includes the following steps:

[0027] Find the location of the blocked nozzle in the second color channel;

[0028] The ink droplet data printed by the blocked nozzle is obtained from the second detection data based on the location of the blocked nozzle as the data to be replaced;

[0029] The new second detection data is obtained by replacing the data to be replaced in the second detection data with ink dot data printed by mixing the third color channel and the first color channel;

[0030] A new first detection map is printed based on the third detection data and the new second detection data.

[0031] Preferably, step S4: detecting the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel based on the first detection pattern includes the following steps:

[0032] The printing status of the second color channel is checked to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal.

[0033] If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram;

[0034] If it is abnormal, then obtain the location of the blocked nozzle in the second color channel;

[0035] The fourth detection print data is obtained by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by mixing the first color channel and the third color channel.

[0036] Print supplementary test diagrams based on the fourth test print data;

[0037] The clogging status of the nozzles in the first color channel that are mixed with the normal nozzles in the second color channel is detected according to the new first detection diagram, and the clogging status of the remaining nozzles in the first color channel is detected according to the supplementary detection diagram.

[0038] The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0039] Preferably, the step of detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the new first detection pattern further includes the following steps;

[0040] Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the new first detection image;

[0041] Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data;

[0042] If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing point is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing or equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the third color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked.

[0043] If the Lab value at a certain position is equal to the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel or the Lab value printed separately for the third color channel, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0044] Preferably, the first color channel is a yellow channel, and the second color channel is a cyan channel or a magenta channel.

[0045] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a printer detection device, the device comprising:

[0046] The first detection print data acquisition module is used to acquire the detection print data of the first color channel as the first detection print data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected.

[0047] The detection print data generation module is used to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel to obtain the second detection print data, and to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone to obtain the third detection print data.

[0048] The first detection image acquisition module is used to print a first detection image based on the second detection printing data and the third detection printing data.

[0049] A nozzle blockage detection module is used to detect the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel according to the first detection image.

[0050] The ink colors corresponding to the second color channel, the third color channel, and the first color channel are all different.

[0051] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a printer testing device, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by the processor, implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0052] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0053] Beneficial effects: The printer detection method, apparatus, device, and storage medium of the present invention obtain second detection print data by modifying the detection print data of the first color channel to ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first and second color channels, and obtaining third detection print data by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed separately by the second color channel. A first detection image is printed based on the second and third detection print data to detect the clogging of the nozzles in the first color channel. In this way, the strong visibility of the second color channel on the printing medium can be used to assist in the detection of nozzle clogging in the first color channel, avoiding the situation where the ink dot landing position cannot be accurately detected due to the poor visibility of the first color channel on the printing medium. Attached Figure Description

[0054] 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.

[0055] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the printer detection method of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of ink dots printed from the first detection print data;

[0057] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the ink dots in the first detection image;

[0058] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the method for detecting nozzle blockage in the first color channel according to the present invention;

[0059] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the method for determining whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal according to the present invention;

[0060] Figure 6 A comparative schematic diagram illustrating the accuracy of the second color channel overlay in this invention;

[0061] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the method for detecting nozzle blockage in the first color channel according to the present invention;

[0062] Figure 8This is a flowchart of the method for printing using a third color channel instead of a second color channel according to the present invention;

[0063] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the method for detecting nozzle blockage in the first color channel using a new first detection pattern according to the present invention.

[0064] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the printer detection device of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the printer testing device of the present invention; Detailed Implementation

[0066] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. 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. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element. Where there is no conflict, the various features in the embodiments and examples of this invention can be combined with each other, all of which are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0067] Example 1

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a printer detection method, which includes the following steps:

[0069] S1: Obtain the detection printing data of the first color channel as the first detection printing data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected;

[0070] Printing equipment often requires multiple colors of ink when printing color images. The visibility of ink dots varies depending on the printing medium. For example, in inkjet printing, four colors are commonly used: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). For instance, when printing on a whitish medium, yellow ink has poor visibility and is difficult for the naked eye or image acquisition equipment to accurately detect the ink dots. However, the ink dots of cyan (C) and magenta (M) printed on whitish media can be accurately detected.

[0071] To facilitate print control, the printhead of a printer is often divided into different print channels, and different print channels are used to print different colors of ink. The set of nozzles used to print the same color is called a color channel.

[0072] For example, a portion of the nozzles of the same printhead can be divided to print the same color of ink, and the set of these nozzles is considered as a color channel; all the nozzles of the same printhead can also be divided to print the same color of ink, and the set of these nozzles is considered as a color channel; all or a portion of the nozzles of multiple printheads can also be divided to print the same color of ink, and the set of these nozzles is considered as a color channel.

[0073] For example, when printing using four colors—cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K)—the color channels used typically include the cyan channel (C), magenta channel (M), yellow channel (Y), and black channel (K).

[0074] This step selects the color channel corresponding to a color on the printing medium that is difficult to detect as the first color channel. For ease of description, the color printed in the first color channel is referred to as the first color in this document. The detection printing data for the first color channel refers to the printing data obtained using only the first color channel. This detection printing data can be determined based on the printed detection pattern. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the printed image can be an image in which each nozzle of the first color channel prints a line, such as a straight line. Figure 2Each circle represents an ink dot, and the letter inside the dot indicates its color; for example, a "Y" indicates that the ink dot is yellow. If a straight line corresponding to a nozzle is missing, it means that the nozzle is blocked. For easier inspection, the lines printed by adjacent nozzles can be staggered.

[0075] S2: Replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel to obtain the second detection print data; replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone to obtain the third detection print data.

[0076] The second color channel prints the second color, and the third color channel prints the third color. The ink dot data includes the position, size, and color of the ink dots. In this step, replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first and second color channels to obtain the second detection print data means keeping the position and size of each ink dot in the first detection print data unchanged, but only modifying the color of the ink dots to the colors corresponding to the first and second color channels. That is, changing the original single color corresponding to the first color channel to both colors corresponding to the first and second color channels. Mixed printing means that ink dots of both colors are printed in the positions where ink dots originally printed by the first color channel were. When all nozzles in the first and second color channels are functioning normally, the ink dot positions printed by the second detection print data coincide with those printed by the first detection print data, only replacing the ink dots of the first color with a combination of the first and second colors. The second color channel has stronger visibility on the printing medium than the first color image.

[0077] In this step, the ink dot data in the first detection print data will be replaced with ink dot data printed separately by the second color channel to obtain the third detection print data. This means keeping the position and size of each ink dot in the first detection print data unchanged, but only changing the color of the ink dots to the color corresponding to the third color channel. In other words, the original one color corresponding to the first color channel is changed to two colors corresponding to the third color channel. Assuming all nozzles in the first and second color channels are functioning normally, the ink dot positions printed in the third detection print data will coincide with those printed in the first detection print data, only replacing the first color ink dots with the third color ink dots.

[0078] S3: Print the first detection image based on the second and third detection printing data;

[0079] This step involves printing based on the second and third detection printing data, forming a first detection image by printing ink dots onto the printing medium. For ease of description, the image printed based on the second detection printing data is referred to as the second image, and the image printed based on the third detection printing data is referred to as the third image. The second and third images can be printed on the same printing medium or on different printing media; this is not a limitation. When the second and third images are printed on the same printing medium, their positions on the printing medium are staggered. The first detection image is shown below. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 A circle represents an ink dot, and the letter inside the dot indicates its color. For example, C indicates that the ink dot is cyan, and CY indicates that the ink dot is a mixture of cyan and yellow.

[0080] S4: Detect the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram;

[0081] The ink color corresponding to the second color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the first color channel. The color of the second color channel can be selected as a color that is easily detected on the ink droplet printing medium.

[0082] The first test image printed in this step can be used to assist in detecting the nozzle status of the first color channel by using the ink dots printed in the second color channel, which has a higher visibility on the printing medium. Since the ink dots of the second color channel are printed in the same positions as the ink dots of the first color channel, the ink dots of the first color channel can be accurately detected by using the ink dots of the second color channel. Then, the Lab value of each ink dot landing position in the first test image is used to detect whether there is any blockage in the nozzle of the first color channel.

[0083] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, step S4: detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection image includes the following steps:

[0084] S41: Check the printing status of the second color channel to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal;

[0085] To ensure proper printing of the second color channel during subsequent mixed-color printing, this step first checks the printing status of the second color channel. This includes checking for nozzle blockage and color registration accuracy.

[0086] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, S41: detecting the printing status of the second color channel and determining whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal further includes the following steps:

[0087] S411: Detect whether the nozzles of the second color channel are blocked based on the image printed from the third detection print data in the first detection image;

[0088] Since the third detection print data is printed individually from the nozzles of the second color channel, it can be used to determine whether the nozzles of the second color channel are blocked. For example, if the image printed by the third detection data consists of one line printed by each nozzle of the second color channel, and one or more lines in the image printed by the third detection data are missing, then the nozzles corresponding to these missing lines are blocked nozzles.

[0089] S412: Detect whether the color matching of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate based on the image printed from the second detection printing data in the first detection image;

[0090] Accurate registration means that the positional deviation between the ink dots printed in the second color channel and the corresponding ink dots printed in the first color channel is within an allowable range. This allowable range can be set according to the required printing precision. If it exceeds this range, the registration between the second and first color channels is considered inaccurate. Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 The left side indicates accurate color registration, while the right side indicates inaccurate color registration.

[0091] S413: If the nozzles of the second color channel are not blocked and the registration of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate, then the printing of the second color channel is normal; otherwise, the printing of the second color channel is abnormal.

[0092] If the nozzles of the second color channel are not blocked and the color registration is accurate, it can be determined that the printing of the second color channel is normal. If one or more nozzles of the second color channel are blocked or the color registration is inaccurate, it means that the printing of the second color channel is abnormal.

[0093] S42: If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram;

[0094] If the printing of the second color channel is normal, then the first detection pair printed by both the first and second color channels can be used to detect the clogging of the nozzles in the first color channel.

[0095] like Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, step S42: if normal, detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection pattern further includes the following steps:

[0096] S421: Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the first detection map;

[0097] The image printed using the second detection data is the image obtained by mixing and printing the first and second color channels. In practice, an image acquisition device can be used to directly acquire the portion of the first detection image printed using the second detection data. Alternatively, the image acquisition device can acquire the entire first detection image and then extract the portion printed using the second detection data.

[0098] S422: Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data;

[0099] The aforementioned positions refer to the positions of each ink dot on the printing medium. The Lab mode is a color model established in 1931 by the Commission on International Eclairography (CIE) as an international standard for color measurement. It was improved and named in 1976. The Lab mode is independent of both light and pigment; it is a color model defined by the CIE that theoretically includes all colors visible to the human eye. The Lab mode compensates for the shortcomings of the RGB and CMYK color models. Compared to the RGB color space, Lab is a less commonly used color space. It was established based on the international standard for color measurement established by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in 1931. In 1976, it was officially named CIE Lab after modifications. It is a device-independent color system and also a color system based on physiological characteristics. This means that it uses a digital method to describe human visual perception. In the Lab color space, the L component represents the brightness of a pixel, with a value range of [0, 100], representing pure black to pure white; a represents the range from red to green, with a value range of [127, -128]; b represents the range from yellow to blue, with a value range of [127, -128].

[0100] S423: If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing position is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked.

[0101] This step involves first obtaining the Lab value of the ink droplets of the two colors mixed together when both the first and second color channels are normal, and using this as the first reference Lab value. Then, the Lab values ​​of each ink droplet landing position obtained in this step are compared with the first reference Lab value. If the Lab values ​​of each ink droplet landing position at all positions are the same as the first reference Lab value, it indicates that all nozzles of the second color channel are not blocked.

[0102] S424: If the difference between the Lab value at a certain position and the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel is less than or equal to the first threshold, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0103] This step uses the Lab value printed separately under normal conditions of the second color channel as the second reference Lab value. Then, the Lab values ​​of each ink droplet position obtained in the previous step are compared with the second reference Lab value. If the difference between the Lab value of a certain position and the second reference Lab value is within the first threshold range, it indicates that the ink droplet at that position is printed only by the second color channel, the ink droplet printed by the first color channel is missing, and the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0104] like Figure 8 As shown, S43: If it is abnormal, the third color channel is used to replace the second color channel for printing to obtain a new first detection image;

[0105] If the printing of the second color channel is abnormal, a third color channel is needed to assist or correct the detection of nozzle blockage in the first color channel. In this embodiment, the third color channel is used to replace the second color channel for printing to assist or correct the issue. The third color channel can replace all nozzles of the second color channel, or it can only replace the abnormal nozzles. When the latter method is used, in this embodiment, step S43: if abnormal, use the third color channel to replace the second color channel for printing to obtain a new first detection image further includes the following steps:

[0106] S431: Obtain the location of the blocked nozzle in the second color channel;

[0107] This step can determine the location of blocked nozzles in the second color channel by detecting the image printed from the third detection data. For example, if the image printed from the third detection data consists of one line printed from each nozzle of the second color channel, and one or more lines are missing, then the nozzles corresponding to these missing lines are blocked nozzles.

[0108] S432: Obtain the ink droplet data printed by the blocked nozzle from the second detection data based on the location of the blocked nozzle as the data to be replaced;

[0109] This step first locates the data corresponding to the ink dots printed by the blocked nozzles in the second detection data, i.e., the aforementioned ink dot data, and marks and processes these data as the data to be replaced later.

[0110] S433: Replace the data to be replaced in the second detection data with ink dot data printed by mixing the first color channel and the third color channel to obtain new second detection data;

[0111] After identifying the aforementioned data to be replaced, this step modifies the color of the ink dots corresponding to these data to match the data printed using a mixture of the first and second colors, while keeping the position and size of these ink dots unchanged.

[0112] S434: Print a new first detection image based on the third detection data and the new second detection data.

[0113] This step prints a new first inspection image based on the modified inspection print data.

[0114] S44: Detect the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel based on the new first detection pattern;

[0115] The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel, and the ink color corresponding to the third color channel is also different from the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0116] like Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, step S44: detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the new first detection pattern further includes the following steps;

[0117] S441: Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the new first detection map;

[0118] In the new first detection image, the image printed from the second detection data is obtained by mixing the first and third color channels. In practice, an image acquisition device can be used to directly capture the portion of the first detection image printed from the second detection data. Alternatively, the image acquisition device can capture all images in the first detection image and then extract the portion printed from the second detection data.

[0119] S442: Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data;

[0120] This step involves first obtaining the Lab value of the two colors of ink dots mixed together, assuming both the first and second color channels are normal, as the first reference Lab value. Then, assuming both the first and third color channels are normal, the Lab value of the two colors of ink dots mixed together is used as the third reference Lab value.

[0121] Then, the Lab values ​​of each ink dot landing position obtained in this step are compared with the first reference Lab value and the third first reference Lab value.

[0122] S443: If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing point is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing or equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the third color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked.

[0123] If the Lab value of each ink droplet at all positions is the same as the first reference Lab value, or equal to the third reference Lab value, then it indicates that none of the nozzles in the third color channel are blocked.

[0124] S444: If the Lab value at a certain position is equal to the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel or the Lab value printed separately for the third color channel, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0125] This step can use the Lab value printed separately when the second color channel is normal as the second reference Lab value, and the Lab value printed separately when the third color channel is normal as the fourth reference Lab value.

[0126] Then, the Lab values ​​of each ink dot landing position obtained in the previous step are compared with the second reference Lab value and the fourth reference Lab value.

[0127] If the Lab value at a certain position is the same as the second reference Lab value, it indicates that the ink dot at that position is printed only by the second color channel, and the ink dot printed by the first color channel is missing, and the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0128] If the Lab value at a certain position is the same as the fourth reference Lab value, it indicates that the ink dot at that position is printed only by the third color channel, the ink dot printed by the first color channel is missing, and the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

[0129] In this embodiment, another detection method can be used to address the issue of abnormal printing in the second color channel. In this method, step S4, which involves detecting nozzle blockage in the first color channel based on the first detection image, includes the following steps:

[0130] S401: Check the printing status of the second color channel to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal;

[0131] S402: If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram;

[0132] S403: If it is abnormal, then obtain the location of the blocked nozzle in the second color channel;

[0133] S404: Replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by mixing the first color channel and the third color channel to obtain the fourth detection print data; wherein the ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0134] This step obtains the mixed printing data of the first and third color channels by replacing ink dot data.

[0135] S405: Print a supplementary inspection diagram based on the fourth inspection print data;

[0136] This step uses a mixture of the first and third color channels to print a compensated detection map.

[0137] S406: Detect the clogging status of nozzles in the first color channel that are mixed with normal nozzles in the second color channel according to the new first detection diagram, and detect the clogging status of the remaining nozzles in the first color channel according to the supplementary detection diagram.

[0138] Since there are clogged nozzles in the second color channel, this step only detects the ink dots printed by the mixture of normal nozzles in the second color channel and the first color channel in the first detection image. This results in the clogging status of the nozzles in the first color channel that are mixed with the normal nozzles in the second color channel. The clogging status of the remaining nozzles in the first color channel is detected by the ink dots printed by the mixture of the third color channel and the first color channel. Finally, the detection results of the two parts of the nozzles are combined to obtain the clogging status of all nozzles in the first color channel.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment, the first color channel is the yellow channel (Y), and the second color channel is either the cyan channel (C) or the magenta channel (M). Since the visibility of yellow channel (Y) ink dots is poor when they fall on a whitish printing medium, this embodiment uses either the cyan channel (C) or the magenta channel (M) to mix with the yellow channel (Y) for printing. For example, the cyan channel can be used as the second color channel and mixed with the first color channel for printing. The printing status of the cyan channel is then checked; if it is abnormal, the magenta channel is used as the third color channel to replace the nozzles in the cyan channel that are printing abnormally, and mixed with the first color channel for printing.

[0140] Similarly, the magenta channel can be used as the second color channel and mixed with the first color channel for printing. The printing status of the magenta channel can be checked. If it is not normal, the cyan channel can be used as the third color channel to replace the nozzles in the cyan channel that are not printing properly and mixed with the first color channel for printing.

[0141] It is understood that the selection of the first color channel, the second color channel, and the third color channel in this embodiment can be based on the visibility of the colors corresponding to each channel on various printing media, and is not limited to the aforementioned selection method.

[0142] Example 2

[0143] Please see Figure 10 This embodiment provides a printer detection device, the device comprising:

[0144] The first detection print data acquisition module is used to acquire the detection print data of the first color channel as the first detection print data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected.

[0145] The detection print data generation module is used to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel to obtain the second detection print data, and to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone to obtain the third detection print data.

[0146] The first detection image acquisition module is used to print a first detection image based on the second detection printing data and the third detection printing data.

[0147] A nozzle blockage detection module is used to detect the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel according to the first detection image.

[0148] The ink colors corresponding to the second color channel, the third color channel, and the first color channel are all different.

[0149] The nozzle blockage detection module also includes:

[0150] The second color channel judgment submodule is used to detect the printing status of the second color channel and determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal.

[0151] A normal printing condition detection submodule is used to detect the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram if the printing condition is normal.

[0152] An alternative printing submodule is used to replace the second color channel with the third color channel to print a new first detection image if the print is abnormal.

[0153] An alternative printing detection submodule is used to detect nozzle blockage in the first color channel based on a new first detection pattern.

[0154] The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

[0155] Example 3

[0156] In addition, combined Figure 11 The printer detection method described in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by the printer detection device of this embodiment. Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the printer testing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0157] The printer testing device in this embodiment may include a processor 401 and a memory 402 storing computer program instructions.

[0158] Specifically, the processor 401 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.

[0159] Memory 402 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 402 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 402 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 402 may be internal or external to a data processing device. In a particular embodiment, memory 402 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, memory 402 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.

[0160] The processor 401 reads and executes computer program instructions stored in the memory 402 to implement any of the data addressing methods for area random printer detection in the above embodiments.

[0161] In one example, the printer detection device of this embodiment may further include a communication interface 403 and a bus 410. Wherein, as... Figure 11 As shown, the processor 401, memory 402, and communication interface 403 are connected through bus 410 and complete communication with each other.

[0162] The communication interface 403 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0163] Bus 410 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components used for fractional ink volume output together. For example, and not limitingly, the bus 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 410 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.

[0164] Example 4

[0165] Furthermore, in conjunction with the printer detection methods 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 a processor, they implement any of the printer detection methods in the above embodiments.

[0166] The above is a detailed description of the printer testing method, apparatus, equipment, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0167] 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.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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.

[0170] 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 printer testing method, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: The detection and printing data of the first color channel is obtained as the first detection and printing data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected; The second detection print data is obtained by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel. The third detection print data is obtained by replacing the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone. The first inspection image is printed based on the second and third inspection printing data; The blockage status of the nozzles in the first color channel is detected based on the first detection image; The ink color corresponding to the second color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the first color channel; The step of detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel based on the first detection image includes the following steps: The printing status of the second color channel is checked to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal. If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram; If it is not normal, the third color channel is used instead of the second color channel for printing to obtain a new first detection image; The nozzle blockage status of the first color channel is detected based on the new first detection diagram; The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

2. The printer detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of detecting the printing status of the second color channel and determining whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal also includes the following steps: Based on the image printed from the third detection print data in the first detection image, detect whether the nozzles of the second color channel are blocked; Based on the image printed from the second detection printing data in the first detection image, determine whether the color matching of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate; If the nozzles of the second color channel are not blocked and the registration of the second color channel and the first color channel is accurate, then the printing of the second color channel is normal; otherwise, the printing of the second color channel is abnormal.

3. The printer detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If normal, the step of detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram also includes the following steps: Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the first detection image; Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data; If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing position is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked. If the difference between the Lab value at a certain position and the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel is less than or equal to the first threshold, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

4. The printer detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the printout is abnormal, the method of replacing the second color channel with the third color channel to obtain a new first detection image also includes the following steps: Find the location of the blocked nozzle in the second color channel; The ink droplet data printed by the blocked nozzle is obtained from the second detection data based on the location of the blocked nozzle as the data to be replaced; The new second detection data is obtained by replacing the data to be replaced in the second detection data with ink dot data printed by mixing the third color channel and the first color channel; A new first detection map is printed based on the third detection data and the new second detection data.

5. The printer detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of detecting nozzle blockage in the first color channel based on the new first detection pattern also includes... Includes the following steps; Obtain the image printed from the second detection data in the new first detection image; Obtain the Lab value of each ink dot position on the image printed from the second detection data; If the Lab value of each ink droplet landing point is equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the second color channel mixed printing or equal to the Lab value of the first color channel and the third color channel mixed printing, then the nozzle of the first color channel is not blocked. If the Lab value at a certain position is equal to the Lab value printed separately for the second color channel or the Lab value printed separately for the third color channel, then the nozzle of the first color channel corresponding to that position is blocked.

6. The printer detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first color channel is the yellow channel, and the second color channel is either the cyan channel or the magenta channel.

7. A printer detection device, characterized in that, The device includes: The first detection print data acquisition module is used to acquire the detection print data of the first color channel as the first detection print data, where the first color channel is the color channel to be detected. The detection print data generation module is used to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by a mixture of the first color channel and the second color channel to obtain the second detection print data, and to replace the ink dot data in the first detection print data with ink dot data printed by the second color channel alone to obtain the third detection print data. The first detection image acquisition module is used to print a first detection image based on the second detection printing data and the third detection printing data. A nozzle blockage detection module is used to detect the nozzle blockage status of the first color channel according to the first detection image. The ink color corresponding to the second color channel, the ink color corresponding to the third color channel, and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel are all different. The step of detecting the nozzle blockage of the first color channel based on the first detection image includes the following steps: The printing status of the second color channel is checked to determine whether the printing status of the second color channel is normal. If normal, check the nozzle blockage of the first color channel according to the first detection diagram; If it is not normal, the third color channel is used instead of the second color channel for printing to obtain a new first detection image; The nozzle blockage status of the first color channel is detected based on the new first detection diagram; The ink color corresponding to the third color channel is different from the ink color corresponding to the second color channel and the ink color corresponding to the first color channel.

8. A printer testing 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.

9. A storage medium storing computer program instructions thereon, characterized in that, The method as described in any one of claims 1-6 is implemented when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor.

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