Ink quantity determination method and device and ink-jet printing system

Abstract

The invention discloses an ink quantity determination method and device and an ink-jet printing system, relates to the technical field of ink-jet printing, and aims to solve the problem of low estimation accuracy of ink quantity required by large-batch industrial printing tasks in the prior art. Comprising the steps of obtaining a printing task, printing parameters and a plurality of detection signals; determining an ink droplet point number calculation amount of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in the plurality of detection signals; determining an ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type based on the ink droplet point number calculation amount of each ink droplet type and a preset ink amount consumption value; and based on the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type, determining a task demand ink amount when the printing task is completed. The ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type is calculated in the printing process to improve the estimation accuracy of the ink amount needed by the printing task, so that the ink box is replaced in time, and continuous printing is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of inkjet printing, and particularly to a method and device for determining ink volume and an inkjet printing system. Background Art

[0002] Industrial large inkjet printers usually print large-area and large-batch tasks. During industrial inkjet printing, it is often necessary to determine the ink volume consumed by printing to timely confirm whether the ink volume required for the printing task is sufficient. If the judgment value of the remaining ink volume is too large, the print head may run dry during the printing process after starting the printing process, interrupting the printing process and reducing the printing efficiency; if the judgment value of the remaining ink volume is too small, it will cause the ink cartridge to be replaced prematurely, resulting in ink waste. Therefore, timely and accurate determination of the ink volume consumed by printing and the remaining ink volume is crucial for inkjet printing.

[0003] In the prior art, an ink cartridge calculator is usually set to determine the usage of the ink volume in the ink cartridge. When used in an industrial printing scenario, the ink cartridge of an industrial printer is usually in a one-time closed state. It may cause the count value of the ink cartridge counter to reach the counting upper limit due to excessive ink usage, resulting in an early alarm of the relevant program and further causing ink waste.

[0004] It can be seen that there is no method in the prior art for accurately determining the ink volume of the ink cartridge of an industrial printer, so as to achieve continuous printing without wasting ink. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and device for determining ink volume and an inkjet printing system, which are used to improve the estimation accuracy of the ink volume required for a printing task and achieve continuous printing without wasting ink.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining ink volume, including: Obtaining a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; the printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink volume consumption value and ink drop types; Determining the ink drop point count calculation amount of each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals; the ink volume consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink volume consumption value; Based on the ink drop point count calculation amount of each ink drop type and the preset ink volume consumption value, determining the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type; Based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type, determining the task required ink volume when the printing task is completed.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment, determining the droplet volume correction value for each droplet type based on the calculated amount of droplets for each droplet type and the preset ink consumption value includes: Constructing a target equation set with the calculated amount of droplets for each droplet type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all droplets as known quantities and the corrected droplet volume corresponding to each droplet type as unknown quantities: ; Wherein, is the preset ink consumption value; , , , is the calculated amount of droplets of different droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , is the calculated amount of droplets of different droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , is the calculated amount of droplets of different types between the nth detection signal and the (n + 1)th detection signal; , , , is the corrected droplet volume corresponding to different droplet types; Substitute the calculated amount of droplets for each droplet type and the preset ink consumption value into the target equation set, and use the elimination method to solve for the corrected droplet volume corresponding to each droplet type in the target equation set to obtain the droplet volume correction value for each droplet type.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, the ink amount determination method further includes: When printing the print task, correct the droplet volume of each droplet type multiple times according to the printing requirements.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, before obtaining the print information, the method further includes: When the droplet volume is greater than or equal to the first preset volume, determine the droplet type as a large droplet; When the droplet volume is less than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to the second preset volume, determine the droplet type as a medium droplet; When the droplet volume is less than the second preset volume, determine the droplet type as a small droplet; the first preset volume is greater than the second preset volume.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, determining the required ink amount for the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value for each type of ink drop includes: Calculating the required number of ink drops for each type of ink drop according to the printing task; Substituting the ink drop volume correction value for each type of ink drop and the required number of ink drops for each type of ink drop into the formula: ; Calculating the required ink amount; Wherein, is the required ink amount; A is the required number of ink drops for large ink drops; B is the required number of ink drops for medium ink drops; C is the required number of ink drops for small ink drops; X is the ink drop volume correction value corresponding to large ink drops; Y is the ink drop volume correction value corresponding to medium ink drops; Z is the ink drop volume correction value corresponding to small ink drops.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, before obtaining the printing information, the ink amount determination method further includes: Determining the number of types of ink drop types; Adding 1 to the number of types to obtain the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the printing parameters further include the initial ink amount value before the printing task is executed; The method further includes: Determining the ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the required ink amount as the remaining ink amount value.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, before obtaining the printing information, the ink amount determination method further includes: When the remaining ink amount value is less than or equal to a preset ink amount warning value, sending an alarm signal for ink amount warning.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, a method for determining ink quantity provided by the present invention includes: First, obtain a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; the printing parameters at least include a preset ink quantity consumption value and ink droplet types. Then, determine the calculated quantity of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals. Next, based on the calculated quantity of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type and the preset ink quantity consumption value, determine the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type. Finally, based on the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type, determine the required ink quantity for the printing task when it is completed. In this way, by realizing the real-time calculation of the ink droplet volume of different ink droplet types during the execution of the same printing task or the same batch of printing tasks, the required ink quantity when the printing task is completed can be estimated more accurately, avoiding printing interruptions caused by untimely replacement of the ink cartridge and reducing ink waste caused by premature replacement of the ink cartridge, thereby achieving uninterrupted printing and greatly improving the printing quality and printing efficiency of industrial printing tasks.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an ink quantity determination device, including: An acquisition module, configured to acquire a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; the printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink quantity consumption value and ink droplet types; A first determination module, configured to determine the calculated quantity of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals; wherein, the ink quantity consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink quantity consumption value; A second determination module, configured to determine the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type based on the calculated quantity of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type and the preset ink quantity consumption value; A third determination module, configured to determine the required ink quantity for the printing task when it is completed based on the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type.

[0016] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides an inkjet printing system, including: a first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink quantity detection units; each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge; the first number is greater than the second number; Each of the second number of inkjet printers is installed with an ink quantity detection unit; the ink quantity detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink quantity detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink quantity detection unit is configured to detect the ink quantity of the ink cartridge and send multiple detection signals to the processor according to the ink quantity of the ink cartridge, and the processor implements the ink quantity determination method described in any one of the above based on the received multiple detection signals. Description of the Drawings

[0017] The accompanying drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form a part of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 One of the flow schematic diagrams of the ink volume determination method provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Another flow schematic diagram of the ink volume determination method provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 The structural schematic diagram of an inkjet printing system provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 The structural schematic diagram of an ink volume determination device provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0018] For the convenience of clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold are only used to distinguish different thresholds and do not limit their sequence. Those skilled in the art can understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", etc. do not necessarily mean different.

[0019] It should be noted that in the present invention, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present invention should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or designs. Exactly, using words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0020] In the present invention, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist.

[0021] As Figure 1 shown, the embodiments of the present invention provide an ink volume determination method, which is applicable to an inkjet printing system. The method may specifically include: Step 110: Obtain a printing task, printing parameters, and a plurality of detection signals; the printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink consumption value and a droplet type; Among them, the industrial printing task is a task performed on an industrial large-scale inkjet printer, which usually prints large-area and large-batch tasks. This printing scenario has high requirements for printing efficiency and consumes ink quickly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method that can improve printing efficiency and save ink usage in this scenario.

[0022] The inkjet printing system at least includes an inkjet printer and an ink volume detection unit. Each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge. The ink volume detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge and is also communicatively connected to the processor. The ink volume detection unit can detect the ink volume of the ink cartridge. Among them, the ink cartridge is a disposable closed ink cartridge, and a new ink cartridge needs to be replaced after the ink is used up. For each color of ink, two ink guide tubes are provided, one end of which is installed on the print head and the other ends are respectively installed on two ink cartridges. In this embodiment, a main ink cartridge and a spare ink cartridge can be set, and the main ink cartridge and the spare ink cartridge are updated after an alarm. Specifically, when the alarm for replacing the ink cartridge is issued, it indicates that the ink volume of this ink cartridge is about to be exhausted. Control disconnects the ink guide tube path connected to this ink cartridge and opens the path connected to the other ink guide tube, and this path can be inside the print head or on the ink guide tube. Replace the ink cartridge with an ink volume about to be exhausted with another ink cartridge to be used. The replacement method can be to replace the ink guide tube together with the ink cartridge, or only replace the ink cartridge. This process of replacing the ink cartridge is an example, and this application does not limit it.

[0023] The inkjet printer can be a UV-curing inkjet printer, a piezoelectric inkjet printer, or of course a multi-functional inkjet printer and other types of inkjet printers.

[0024] The processor is used to convert the printing task into corresponding printing data and control the print head to perform printing after obtaining the printing task. The processor is also used to calculate the required number of ink droplets for each type of ink droplet according to the printing data.

[0025] In the embodiment of the present invention, the printing ink volume required for different colors can be pre-calculated before printing. Usually, the RIP software obtains the number of ink droplets of each volume of each color according to the printed image in the printing task, calculates the estimated ink volume according to the number and the initial value of the ink droplet volume, and judges whether the remaining ink volume in the ink cartridge is sufficient to complete all the printing tasks according to the estimated ink volume. If it is sufficient, directly start printing. If it is not sufficient, prepare the corresponding number of ink cartridges according to all the printing tasks to continuously complete the printing task. According to the prior art, based on the remaining ink volume, this printing is set to only complete a part of the printing task, and continuous printing of all printing tasks cannot be achieved. In this embodiment, the estimated ink volume required to complete the printing task is obtained according to the printing task before printing, which can achieve one-time completion of the printing task and ensure the continuity of printing.

[0026] In one embodiment, the printing task can be set by the relevant personnel themselves. It can be all industrial operations or a small part of all industrial operations, and can be set according to the specific printing scenario. The selection of the ink cartridge is usually determined according to the task volume of all industrial operations, the maximum volume of the ink cartridge, and the remaining ink volume of the ink cartridge. If the estimated ink volume corresponding to the task volume is less than the remaining ink volume of the ink cartridge, the current ink cartridge can be used to complete the current printing; if the estimated ink volume corresponding to the task volume is greater than or equal to the remaining ink volume of the ink cartridge and less than the maximum volume of the ink cartridge, then two ink cartridges, namely the current ink cartridge and another ink cartridge, are selected. Among them, the sum of the remaining ink volumes of the two ink cartridges should be greater than the estimated ink volume; if the estimated ink volume corresponding to the task volume is greater than the maximum volume of the ink cartridge, multiple ink cartridges can be selected. The sum of the remaining ink volumes of the multiple ink cartridges should be greater than the estimated ink volume, and the excess ink volume after printing should be less than the maximum volume of the ink cartridge.

[0027] This embodiment is applicable to large-volume industrial printing. No preprocessing is required before printing, and immediate printing is achieved. The process of correcting the ink droplet volume is completed during the printing process, enabling continuous printing and improving accuracy. The accurate early warning of the ink cartridge replacement time saves ink volume and improves printing efficiency. In the scenario of large-volume industrial printing, the improvement of efficiency is particularly obvious.

[0028] The printing parameters can also include the theoretical preset ink droplet volume value of each ink droplet type preset by the user or the manufacturer in the inkjet printing system. In this embodiment, when calculating the ink volume required for a printing task, the formula (1) is first used for calculation: (1) Wherein, is the ink volume required for a printing task, is the theoretical preset ink droplet volume value of different ink droplet types, is the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types.

[0029] However, in multiple actual applications, it is found that there are some defects in this calculation method in this embodiment, which are specifically as follows: The first case is that when the nozzle is used for a long time, partial blockage may occur. In this case, the size of each ink droplet actually ejected from the nozzle is smaller than the theoretical value of the preset ink droplet volume. However, the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type calculated according to the printing task remains unchanged. Then, the required ink amount for the printing task calculated based on formula (1) is less than the theoretical task required ink amount, which may lead to insufficient accuracy of the printing result of the printing task; The second case is that the nozzle is deformed due to long use time, special use environment or other reasons, resulting in the size of each ink droplet actually ejected from the nozzle being larger than the theoretical value of the preset ink droplet volume. However, the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type calculated according to the printing task remains unchanged. Then, the required ink amount for the printing task calculated based on formula (1) is greater than the theoretical task required ink amount, which results in the printing task using too much ink amount, poor printing effect, and may also lead to insufficient ink amount for the next or the next batch of printing tasks. Either of the above two cases will affect the printing efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately estimate the required ink amount for the printing task. To solve the above problems, the embodiment of the present invention further proposes to recalculate the theoretical value of the preset ink droplet volume for different ink droplet types, or rather, to correct the theoretical value of the preset ink droplet volume for different ink droplet types. The specific method is as follows: To achieve the correction of the ink droplet volume of different ink droplet types, the embodiment of the present invention uses multiple detection signals for ink amount statistics. Of course, multiple detections correspond to the printing task, that is, the correction of the theoretical value of the preset ink droplet volume for different ink droplet types is achieved in the same or the same batch of printing tasks.

[0030] Specifically, the ink droplet type generally refers to the type division of ink droplets according to volume.

[0031] Step 120: Determine the ink droplet count calculation amount of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals; wherein, the ink amount consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink amount consumption value; Combined with Figure 2Understand. For example, in the first correction, first, the initial remaining ink volume in the ink cartridge before the execution of the printing task can be obtained through the ink volume detection unit. Then, the ink volume detection unit can send the first detection signal to the processor based on the printing instruction. At this time, the processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 1 according to the received first detection signal, and calculates the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task starting from 0 based on the ink volume information 1 (the ink droplet points are also the number of ink droplets, or the number of ink droplets), and controls the ink volume detection unit to start counting the next ink volume consumption value from 0; when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume has consumed from 0 to the preset ink volume consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends the second detection signal to the processor. The processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 2 according to the received second detection signal, and calculates the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task starting from 0 based on the ink volume information 2, and controls the ink volume detection unit to start counting the next ink volume consumption value from 0; when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume has consumed from 0 to the preset ink volume consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends the third detection signal to the processor. The processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 3 according to the received third detection signal, and calculates the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task starting from 0 based on the ink volume information 3, and controls the ink volume detection unit to start counting the next ink volume consumption value from 0; when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume has consumed from 0 to the preset ink volume consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends the fourth detection signal to the processor. The processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 4 according to the received fourth detection signal, and calculates the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task starting from 0 based on the ink volume information 4, and controls the ink volume detection unit to start counting the next ink volume consumption value from 0 ; until, when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume has consumed from 0 to the preset ink volume consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends the first number of detection signals to the processor.

[0032] Step 130: Determine the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type based on the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type and the preset ink volume consumption value; Specifically, after counting the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type between two consecutive detection signals among the preset number of detection signals, the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type can be determined based on the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type and the preset ink volume consumption value, and according to the relationship between the ink droplet points, the ink droplet type, and the ink droplet consumption. Among them, the relationship between the ink droplet points, the ink droplet type, and the ink droplet consumption refers to formula (1).

[0033] Step 140: Determine the required ink amount for the printing task when the printing task is completed based on the ink drop volume correction value for each type of ink drop.

[0034] Advantages of the embodiments of the present invention: In the embodiments of the present invention, first, obtain a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; the printing parameters at least include a preset ink consumption value and ink drop types, then determine the ink drop count calculation amount for each type of ink drop between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals, next, based on the ink drop count calculation amount for each type of ink drop and the preset ink consumption value, determine the ink drop volume correction value for each type of ink drop, and finally, based on the ink drop volume correction value for each type of ink drop, determine the required ink amount for the printing task when the printing task is completed. In this way, by realizing real-time calculation of the ink drop volume of different ink drop types during the execution of the same printing task or the same batch of printing tasks, the ink amount required when the printing task is completed can be estimated more accurately, improving the printing quality and printing efficiency of the printing task.

[0035] In an optional implementation manner, step 130 may specifically include: 1) Construct a target equation set with the ink drop count calculation amount for each type of ink drop and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink drops as known quantities and the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to each type of ink drop as unknown quantities: (3) Among them, is the preset ink consumption value; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount for different types of ink drops between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount for different types of ink drops between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount for different types of ink drops between the nth detection signal and the n + 1th detection signal; , , , is the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different types of ink drops; n is the total number of types of ink drops; represents the ink drop count calculation amount for the jth type of ink drop between the ith detection signal and the i + 1th detection signal; 2) Substitute the droplet number calculation amount of each droplet type and the preset ink volume consumption value into the target equation set, and use the elimination method to solve the corrected droplet volume corresponding to each droplet type in the target equation set to obtain the droplet volume correction value of each droplet type.

[0036] Since the embodiment of the present invention constructs an equation set and uses the elimination method for solution, before step 1), it further includes: Determine the number of unknowns, that is, determine the number of unknowns corresponding to the corrected droplet volume of each droplet type, and this number of unknowns is the same as the number of types of droplet types.

[0037] It should be noted that there is a corresponding relationship between the number of types of droplet types and the number of signals of multiple detection signals, which is related to the elimination method of the solution algorithm adopted in the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, before obtaining the printing information, it further includes: Determine the number of types of droplet types; Add 1 to the number of types to obtain the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

[0038] In short, if the number of signals of multiple detection signals is J and the number of types of droplet types is n, then J = n + 1.

[0039] The beneficial technical effects of the embodiment of the present invention: Determine the number of signals of the detection signals by determining the number of types of droplet types, and form a target equation set by constructing multiple equations with the same number as the number of types, and then the elimination method can be used to quickly solve to obtain the droplet volume correction value of each droplet type. Since the elimination method has a set of fixed steps, the solution process is very systematic and standardized, and the elimination method is very suitable for programming implementation and can significantly reduce the calculation amount. Therefore, the printing efficiency can be improved.

[0040] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present invention, Method 1 is first selected: a liquid level sensor is installed in the ink cartridge, and the calculation correction values of the ink of each color and each volume are calculated respectively. For example, for the large yellow ink droplets (Y), a command is sent to the print head to eject a preset number of large yellow ink droplets, and the correction coefficient is calculated according to the difference of the liquid level sensor before and after ejection, the preset number of large yellow ink droplets, and the initial volume. Among them, the initial volume of the ink droplets can be obtained from the print head user manual provided by the print head manufacturer, or can be detected by using an ink droplet detection device. Then, in actual production applications, it is found that the method of correcting the volume of each ink droplet of different colors and different types one by one is less efficient. It is necessary to control the print head to execute preset commands before or during printing, or an additional print head needs to be set to execute preset commands, and the process of obtaining the correction coefficient is relatively complex. On this basis, Method 2 is selected in this embodiment: multiple liquid level detectors are set in the ink cartridge, and the actual volume of the ink droplets is calculated by measuring the ink volume in the ink cartridge and the number of ink droplets of different volumes multiple times. In this embodiment, the actual volume of the ink droplets of each color and each volume can be measured efficiently and accurately during the printing process.

[0041] It can be understood that when M colors and N volumes of ink droplets of each color are used in a printing task, using Method 1 to measure the actual volume of the ink droplets of each color and each volume requires M×N ink volume measurements and N calculations; using Method 2 to measure the actual volume of the ink droplets of each color and each volume requires M ink volume measurements and N calculations. It can be seen that Method 2 selected in this embodiment has M×N - M fewer measurement times than Method 1. It can be seen that the measurement scheme in Method 1 needs to be completed before printing or the printing process needs to be aborted for measurement. The measurement process is complex, requiring M×N ink volume measurements, and the measurement efficiency is low; the measurement scheme in Method 2 can achieve real-time measurement of the actual volume of the ink droplets of each color and each volume during the printing process. The measurement can be completed during the printing process, with strong real-time performance, requiring M ink volume measurements, and the printing efficiency is high.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the ink volume determination method in the embodiments of the present invention may further include: When printing a printing task, the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type is corrected multiple times according to the printing requirements. The ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type obtained by the last correction is used to calculate the required ink volume of the task when the printing task is completed.

[0043] Optionally, the results obtained by multiple corrections are averaged to obtain the average correction value of the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type, and then the average correction value of the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type is used to calculate the required ink volume of the task when the printing task is completed. Such an estimation result is more accurate.

[0044] Advantageous technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention: Multiple corrections of the ink droplet volume for each type of ink droplet can continuously reduce the calculation error of the required ink for the task and improve the printing efficiency.

[0045] Optionally, except for the first correction, the correction timing of other corrections can be enabled according to a preset correction time. For example, after setting the end of the first correction in advance, the second correction is performed after a preset correction time, and the third correction, the fourth correction, etc. are all enabled according to the preset correction time. After enabling the correction, the ink volume detection unit starts to send the first detection signal corresponding to the current correction to the processor.

[0046] Optionally, except for the first correction, the correction timing of other corrections can be corrected according to a preset task stage. For example, the printing task is divided into a pre-task stage, an in-task stage, and a post-task stage in advance. Then, the first correction is performed in the pre-task stage, the second correction is performed in the in-task stage, and the third correction is performed in the post-task stage.

[0047] In this embodiment, due to factors such as time, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and light in the printing scenario, the ink droplet volumes ejected by the same nozzle in different environments are different. For example, the weather is cloudy in the morning and heavy rain in the afternoon, and the air humidity may cause differences in the ink droplet volumes ejected by the nozzle. The operation process of a large printing scenario may last for several hours or several days. In this scenario, the ink usage of the same printer may vary. To ensure continuous printing and avoid wasting ink, an accurate ink depletion warning needs to be provided to replace the ink cartridge in a timely manner. Therefore, by repeatedly iteratively correcting ink droplets of different colors and volumes, dynamic statistics of the ink volume are achieved, accurate warning of the ink cartridge ink volume is ensured, timely replacement of the ink cartridge without wasting ink volume is achieved, and thus the printing efficiency is ensured. In a long-term large-batch printing scenario, the effect of saving ink volume is significant, and the effect of improving printing efficiency is significant.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, there are multiple printing machines of the same type and / or the same nozzles operating simultaneously in the same environment. Ink volume correction and warning can be performed on only one printer, and the ink cartridges of other printers can be replaced according to the correction and warning results, saving software and hardware costs. The solution provided in this embodiment has strong versatility and is simple and easy to implement.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, before obtaining the printing information, the method further includes: When the ink droplet volume is greater than or equal to the first preset volume, the ink droplet type is determined as a large ink droplet; When the ink droplet volume is less than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to the second preset volume, the ink droplet type is determined as a medium ink droplet; When the volume of the ink droplet is less than the second preset volume, the ink droplet type is determined as a small ink droplet; the first preset volume is greater than the second preset volume.

[0050] When the ink droplet types are large ink droplets, medium ink droplets, and small ink droplets, step 140: Based on the ink droplet volume correction values of each ink droplet type, determine the required ink amount for the printing task to be completed, which may include: Calculate the required number of ink droplet points for each ink droplet type according to the printing task; Substitute the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type and the required number of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type into the formula: ; Calculate the required ink amount; Wherein, is the required ink amount; A is the required number of ink droplet points for large ink droplets; B is the required number of ink droplet points for medium ink droplets; C is the required number of ink droplet points for small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to large ink droplets; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to medium ink droplets; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to small ink droplets.

[0051] For example, after converting the printing task into corresponding printing data, according to the printing data, it can be calculated that the required number of ink droplet points for large ink droplets is 10,000, the required number of ink droplet points for medium ink droplets is 12,000, and the required number of ink droplet points for small ink droplets is 3,000.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, the printing parameters further include an initial ink amount value before the printing task is executed; The method further includes: Determine the remaining ink amount value as the ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the required ink amount.

[0053] When the remaining ink amount value is less than or equal to a preset ink amount warning value (for example, 15% of the maximum capacity of the ink cartridge), an alarm signal is issued for ink amount warning.

[0054] The beneficial technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention: In the embodiments of the present invention, warning is performed according to the relationship between the remaining ink amount value and the preset ink amount warning value, which can enable the staff to replace the ink cartridge in time to prepare for the next printing task or the next batch of printing tasks, so as to prevent the situation of insufficient ink amount in the ink cartridge when the next printing task or the next batch of printing tasks are executed, and improve the printing efficiency.

[0055] In specific implementation, the above ink amount determination method can be implemented for each type of ink among different ink types. In an inkjet printing system, the ink types can include: Aqueous Ink, Dye-based Ink, Pigment-based Ink, Solvent Ink, UV Curable Ink, Sublimation Ink, Hybrid Ink, Food-safe Ink, Fluorescent Ink, Invisible Ink, and other types.

[0056] In specific implementation, the above ink amount determination method can be implemented for each type of print head among different print head types. In an inkjet printing system, the print head types can include: Thermal Inkjet, Piezoelectric Inkjet, Continuous Inkjet (CIJ), Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Thermal Printhead, etc.

[0057] Combined with Figure 2 , sort out the ink amount determination method provided by the embodiments of the present invention: The processor obtains a printing task; The processor converts the printing task into printing data and estimates the ink amount used; The processor can control the print head to start printing the above printing data based on a printing instruction; The processor can send a detection start signal to the ink amount detection unit based on a printing instruction. The ink amount detection unit sends the first detection signal to the processor according to the detection start signal and starts counting the ink amount consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor marks the ink amount information 1 based on the first detection signal and starts calculating the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the printing data from 0; When the ink amount detection unit counts that the ink amount consumption reaches 100 ml, it sends the second detection signal to the processor and starts counting the ink amount consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor marks the ink amount information 2 based on the second detection signal and starts calculating the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the remaining printing data from 0; When the ink volume detection unit counts that the ink volume consumption reaches 100 ml, it sends the 3rd detection signal to the processor and starts counting the ink volume consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor marks the ink volume information 2 based on the 3rd detection signal and calculates the calculated amount of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type required for the remaining print data starting from 0; When the ink volume detection unit counts that the ink volume consumption reaches 100 ml, it sends the 4th detection signal to the processor and stops counting the ink volume consumption of the ink cartridge. The processor marks the ink volume information 4 based on the 4th detection signal and calculates the correction value of the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals obtained by three calculations. For example, as calculated in Table 1: the correction value of the ink droplet volume of large ink droplets (the correction value of the ink droplet volume is also the volume size) is x, the correction value of the ink droplet volume of medium ink droplets is y, and the correction value of the ink droplet volume of small ink droplets is z; The processor calculates the required number of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type according to the print data. For example, as calculated in Table 1: the required number of ink droplet points of large ink droplets is e, the required number of ink droplet points of medium ink droplets is f, and the required number of ink droplet points of small ink droplets is t; Table 1: Ink droplet statistical data Ink droplet type Large ink droplet Medium ink droplet Small ink droplet Volume size x y z Quantity e f t The processor estimates the required ink volume of the print task and warns the remaining ink volume according to the correction value of the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type and the required number of ink droplet points of each ink droplet type. See Table 1: Using the formula To obtain the required ink volume of the print task.

[0058] As Figure 3 shown, the embodiment of the present invention also provides an inkjet printing system, which includes a first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink volume detection units; each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge; the first number is greater than the second number; Each of the second number of inkjet printers is installed with an ink volume detection unit; the ink volume detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink volume detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink volume detection unit is used to detect the ink volume of the ink cartridge and send a plurality of detection signals to the processor according to the ink volume of the ink cartridge, and the processor implements the ink volume determination method in any one of the above embodiments based on the received plurality of detection signals.

[0059] It should be noted that for the same type of ink, only one set of ink volume detection units can be used.

[0060] It should be noted that for the same type of nozzle, only one set of ink volume detection units can be used.

[0061] Optionally, the second quantity can be 1. Then, as long as the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type is obtained in this inkjet printer through the above ink quantity determination method, the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type can be applied to other inkjet printers without an ink quantity detection unit, which can save system costs.

[0062] As Figure 4 shown, the ink quantity determination device provided by the present invention will be described below. The ink quantity determination device described below can be correspondingly referred to the ink quantity determination method described above.

[0063] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an ink quantity determination device for implementing the ink quantity determination method in any of the above embodiments. The ink quantity determination device may include: An acquisition module 410, configured to acquire a printing task, printing parameters, and a plurality of detection signals; the printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink quantity consumption value and an ink drop type; A first determination module 420, configured to determine the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals among the plurality of detection signals; wherein, the ink quantity consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink quantity consumption value; A second determination module 430, configured to determine the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type based on the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type and the preset ink quantity consumption value; A third determination module 440, configured to determine the required ink quantity for the printing task when it is completed based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type.

[0064] The second determination module 430 is specifically configured to construct a target equation set with the ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink quantity consumption values corresponding to all ink drops as known quantities and the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to each ink drop type as unknown quantities. The target equation set is: ; wherein, is the preset ink quantity consumption value; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount of different ink drop types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount of different ink drop types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , is the ink drop count calculation amount of different types between the nth detection signal and the (n + 1)th detection signal; , , , is the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to different ink droplet types; Substitute the ink droplet count calculation amount and the preset ink consumption value of each ink droplet type into the target equation set, and use the elimination method to solve the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type in the target equation set to obtain the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type.

[0065] The ink amount determination device is further configured to, when printing a printing task, correct the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type multiple times according to the printing requirements.

[0066] The ink amount determination device is further configured to, when the ink droplet volume is greater than or equal to the first preset volume, determine the ink droplet type as a large ink droplet; When the ink droplet volume is less than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to the second preset volume, determine the ink droplet type as a medium ink droplet; When the ink droplet volume is less than the second preset volume, determine the ink droplet type as a small ink droplet; the first preset volume is greater than the second preset volume.

[0067] The third determination module 440 is specifically configured to calculate the task-required ink droplet count of each ink droplet type according to the printing task; Substitute the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type and the task-required ink droplet count of each ink droplet type into the formula: ; where is the task-required ink amount; A is the task-required ink droplet count of large ink droplets; B is the task-required ink droplet count of medium ink droplets; C is the task-required ink droplet count of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to large ink droplets; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to medium ink droplets; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to small ink droplets.

[0068] Before obtaining the printing information, the ink amount determination device is further configured to determine the number of types of ink droplet types; Add 1 to the number of types to obtain the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

[0069] The printing parameters further include the initial ink amount value before the printing task is executed; the ink amount determination device is further configured to determine the ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the task-required ink amount as the remaining ink amount value.

[0070] The ink amount determination device is further configured to, when the remaining ink amount value is less than or the preset ink amount warning value, send an alarm signal for ink amount warning.

[0071] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a computer storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed, implement the ink quantity determination method in any of the above embodiments.

[0072] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an electronic device, which may include: a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus. Among them, the processor, the communication interface, and the memory complete mutual communication through the communication bus. A computer program executable by the processor is stored on the memory; when the processor runs the computer program, it can execute the ink quantity determination method in any of the above embodiments.

[0073] In addition, when the logical instructions in the above-mentioned memory are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the various embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the various embodiments herein, however, in the process of implementing the claimed present invention, those skilled in the art can understand and achieve other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosed content, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions recited in the claims. Certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the invention defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the invention. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A method for determining ink quantity, characterized in that, Including: Obtain a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; The printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink consumption value and ink drop types; Determine the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals among the multiple detection signals; wherein, the ink consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value; Based on the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value, determine the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type; Based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type, determine the required ink amount for the printing task when it is completed.

2. The ink amount determination method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determining the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type based on the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value includes: Construct a target equation system with the ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink drops as known quantities and the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to each ink drop type as unknown quantities. The target equation system is: ； Among them, is the preset ink consumption value; , , , is the calculation amount of the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , is the calculation amount of the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , is the calculation amount of the number of ink droplets of different types between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal; , , , is the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to different ink droplet types; Substitute the ink drop count calculation amount of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value into the target equation system, and use the elimination method to solve for the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to each ink drop type in the target equation system to obtain the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type.

3. The ink amount determination method according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes: When printing the printing task, correct the ink drop volume of each ink drop type multiple times according to the printing requirements.

4. The ink amount determination method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before obtaining the printing information, the method further includes: When the ink drop volume is greater than or equal to a first preset volume, determine the ink drop type as a large ink drop; When the ink drop volume is less than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to a second preset volume, determine the ink drop type as a medium ink drop; When the ink drop volume is less than the second preset volume, determine the ink drop type as a small ink drop; the first preset volume is greater than the second preset volume.

5. The ink amount determination method according to claim 4, wherein The determining the required ink amount for the printing task when it is completed based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type includes: According to the printing task, calculate the required ink drop count of each ink drop type; Substitute the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type and the required ink drop count of each ink drop type into the formula: ； Calculate to obtain the required ink amount; Wherein, is the ink volume required for the task; A is the number of required ink droplets of large ink droplets; B is the number of required ink droplets of medium ink droplets; C is the number of required ink droplets of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to large ink droplets; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to medium ink droplets; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to small ink droplets.

6. The ink amount determination method according to claim 3, wherein Before obtaining the printing information, it further includes: Determine the number of types of ink drop types; Add 1 to the number of types to obtain the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

7. The ink quantity determination method according to claim 1, characterized in that The printing parameters further include the initial ink amount value before the printing task is executed; The method further includes: Determine the ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the required ink amount as the remaining ink amount value.

8. The ink amount determination method according to claim 7, wherein It also includes: When the remaining ink amount value is less than or the preset ink amount warning value, send an alarm signal for ink amount warning.

9. An ink amount determination device, characterized in that, Including: An acquisition module for acquiring a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; The printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters at least include a preset ink consumption value and ink drop types; A first determination module, configured to determine the calculation amount of the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals among a plurality of detection signals; wherein, the ink consumption value between two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value; A second determination module, configured to determine the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type based on the calculation amount of the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value; A third determination module, configured to determine the required ink amount of the task when the printing task is completed based on the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type.

10. An inkjet printing system, characterized in that, Comprising: A first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink amount detection units; each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge; the first number is greater than the second number; Each of the second number of inkjet printers is installed with an ink amount detection unit; the ink amount detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink amount detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink amount detection unit is configured to detect the ink amount of the ink cartridge and send a plurality of detection signals to the processor according to the ink amount of the ink cartridge, and the processor implements the ink amount determination method according to any one of claims 1-8 based on the received plurality of detection signals.

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