Ink quantity determination method, device and inkjet printing system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ink volume determination method, device, and inkjet printing system, relating to the field of inkjet printing technology, and addressing the problem of low accuracy in estimating the amount of ink required for large-scale industrial printing tasks in the prior art. The method comprises: obtaining a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; determining a calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in the multiple detection signals; determining a droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type based on the calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and a preset ink consumption value; and determining the task required ink volume upon completion of the printing task based on the droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type. The present invention is used to improve the accuracy of estimating the amount of ink required for a printing task by calculating the droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type during the printing process, thereby enabling timely replacement of ink cartridges and further achieving continuous printing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to an ink quantity determination method, device and inkjet printing system. Background Art

[0002] Large industrial inkjet printers typically print large areas and high volumes. During industrial inkjet printing, it's often necessary to determine the amount of ink consumed to ensure timely confirmation of the required ink level. If the remaining ink level is too high, the printhead may run dry after starting the print process, interrupting the print process and reducing efficiency. If the remaining ink level is too low, premature ink cartridge replacement may be necessary, resulting in wasted ink. Therefore, timely and accurate determination of both consumed and remaining ink levels is crucial for inkjet printing.

[0003] In the prior art, an ink cartridge calculator is usually provided to determine the usage of the ink in the ink cartridge. When used in industrial printing scenarios, the ink cartridges of industrial printers are usually in a disposable sealed state. Due to excessive ink usage, the ink cartridge counter may reach the upper limit, causing the relevant program to alarm in advance, thereby wasting ink.

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

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an ink quantity determination method, device and inkjet printing system for improving the accuracy of estimating the ink quantity required for a printing task and achieving continuous printing without wasting ink.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining ink volume, comprising:

[0008] Acquire a printing task, printing parameters, and multiple detection signals; the printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type;

[0009] Determining a calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in a plurality of detection signals; wherein the ink consumption value between the two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value;

[0010] Determining an ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value;

[0011] Based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type, the task required ink volume when the printing task is completed is determined.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, determining the ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value includes:

[0013] The target equation group is constructed with the calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink droplets as known quantities, and the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type as an unknown quantity:

[0014] ;

[0015] in, is the preset ink consumption value; , , , calculating a number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , calculating the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , The number of different types of ink droplets between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal is calculated; , , , Corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different ink drop types;

[0016] The calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value are substituted into the target equation group, and the elimination method is used to solve the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type in the target equation group to obtain the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the ink amount determination method further includes:

[0018] When printing the print task, the ink drop volume of each ink drop type is corrected multiple times according to printing requirements.

[0019] In an optional implementation, before obtaining the printing information, the method further includes:

[0020] When the ink droplet volume is greater than or equal to a first preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a large ink droplet;

[0021] When the ink droplet volume is smaller than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to the second preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a medium ink droplet;

[0022] When the ink drop volume is smaller than the second preset volume, the ink drop type is determined to be a small ink drop; and the first preset volume is larger than the second preset volume.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, determining the ink volume required for completing the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type includes:

[0024] Calculating the number of ink droplets required for each ink droplet type according to the printing task;

[0025] Substitute the drop volume correction value for each drop type and the required number of drop points for each drop type into the formula:

[0026] ;

[0027] Calculating the ink volume required for the task;

[0028] in, is the ink volume required for the task; A is the number of ink droplets required for the task of large ink droplets; B is the number of ink droplets required for the task of medium ink droplets; C is the number of ink droplets required for the task of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the large ink droplet; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the medium ink droplet; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the small ink droplet.

[0029] In an optional implementation, before obtaining the printing information, the ink amount determination method further includes:

[0030] Determine the number of ink droplet types;

[0031] The number of detection signals corresponding to each correction is obtained by adding 1 to the number of types.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the printing parameters further include an initial ink volume value before the printing task is executed;

[0033] The method further comprises:

[0034] An ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the task required ink amount is determined as a remaining ink amount value.

[0035] In an optional implementation, before obtaining the printing information, the ink amount determination method further includes:

[0036] When the remaining ink amount value is less than or equal to a preset ink amount warning value, an alarm signal is issued to provide an ink amount warning.

[0037] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a method for determining ink volume. First, a print task, print parameters, and multiple detection signals are obtained; the print parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type. Then, the calculated number of ink droplets for each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals in the multiple detection signals is determined. Next, based on the calculated number of ink droplets for each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value, a correction value for the ink drop volume of each ink drop type is determined. Finally, based on the correction value for the ink drop volume of each ink drop type, the task required ink volume when the print task is completed is determined. In this way, by realizing real-time calculation of the ink drop volumes of different ink drop types during the execution of the same print task or the same batch of print tasks, the ink volume required for the completion of the print task can be more accurately estimated, avoiding printing interruptions caused by untimely replacement of ink cartridges and reducing ink waste caused by premature replacement of ink cartridges, thereby achieving uninterrupted printing and greatly improving the print quality and printing efficiency of industrial printing tasks.

[0038] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an ink quantity determination device, comprising:

[0039] An acquisition module, configured to acquire a printing task, printing parameters, and a plurality of detection signals; the printing task being an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters including at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type;

[0040] A first determining module is configured to determine a calculated 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 the two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value;

[0041] a second determining module, configured to determine an ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value;

[0042] The third determining module is configured to determine the ink volume required for completing the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type.

[0043] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides an inkjet printing system comprising: a first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink level detection units; each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge; the first number is greater than the second number;

[0044] Each of the second number of inkjet printers is equipped with an ink level detection unit; the ink level detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink level detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink level detection unit is used to detect the ink level of the ink cartridge and send multiple detection signals to the processor based on the ink level of the ink cartridge, and the processor implements any of the above-mentioned ink level determination methods based on the multiple detection signals received. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention. The exemplary 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:

[0046] Figure 1 One of the flowcharts of the method for determining the ink amount provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 A second flow chart of a method for determining ink volume according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of an inkjet printing system provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an ink volume determination device provided by one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the words "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of the present invention to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold are merely used to distinguish between different thresholds and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0051] It should be noted that, in the present invention, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present invention should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0052] In the present invention, "at least one" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, and "and / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three types of relationships can exist.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining ink volume, which is applicable to an inkjet printing system. The method may specifically include:

[0054] Step 110: Acquire a print task, print parameters, and multiple detection signals; the print task is an industrial print task, and the print parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and ink drop type;

[0055] Industrial printing tasks involve printing on large-scale industrial inkjet printers, which typically print large areas and large quantities of work. This type of printing requires high printing efficiency and consumes ink quickly, so a method to improve printing efficiency and conserve ink usage is urgently needed.

[0056] An inkjet printing system includes at least an inkjet printer and an ink level detection unit. Each inkjet printer is equipped with a processor and an ink cartridge. The ink level detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge and is also in communication with the processor. The ink level detection unit can detect the ink level in the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is a disposable, sealed cartridge that needs to be replaced when the ink runs out. Two ink tubes are provided for each color of ink, one end of which is mounted on the printhead and the other end is mounted on each of the two ink cartridges. In this embodiment, a main ink cartridge and a backup ink cartridge can be provided, and the main and backup ink cartridges can be updated after an alarm is triggered. Specifically, when the alarm for replacing an ink cartridge is triggered, it indicates that the ink level of the ink cartridge is about to run out. The ink tube passage connected to the ink cartridge is disconnected, and the passage connected to another ink tube is opened. The passage can be inside the printhead or on the ink tube. The ink cartridge connected to the cartridge that is about to run out of ink is replaced with another cartridge to be used. The replacement method can be to replace the ink tube and the ink cartridge together, or to replace only the ink cartridge. This ink cartridge replacement process is an example and is not limited in this application.

[0057] The inkjet printer may be a UV curing inkjet printer, a piezoelectric inkjet printer, or a multifunctional inkjet printer or other types of inkjet printers.

[0058] The processor is used to convert the print task into corresponding print data and control the nozzle to print after obtaining the print task. The processor is also used to calculate the number of ink droplets required for the task for each ink drop type based on the print data.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the amount of printing ink required for different colors can be pre-calculated before printing. Usually, the RIP software obtains the number of ink droplets of each volume for each color based on the print image in the print task, and calculates the estimated ink volume based on the number and the initial value of the ink droplet volume. The estimated ink volume is used to determine whether the remaining ink in the ink cartridge is sufficient to complete all the printing tasks. If it is sufficient, printing is started directly. If it is not sufficient, a corresponding number of ink cartridges are prepared based on all the printing tasks to achieve continuous completion of the printing tasks. The existing technology sets this printing as completing only a part of the printing task based on the remaining ink volume, and cannot achieve continuous printing of all the printing tasks. This embodiment obtains the estimated amount of ink required to complete the required printing task based on the printing task before printing, and can achieve one-time completion of the printing task, ensuring the continuity of printing.

[0060] In one embodiment, the printing task can be set by the relevant personnel. It can be the entire industrial operation or a small part of the entire industrial operation. It can be set according to the specific printing scenario. The selection of ink cartridges is usually determined based on the task volume of the entire industrial operation, 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, the current ink cartridge and another ink cartridge are selected, wherein the sum of the remaining ink volume 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, and the sum of the remaining ink volume of the multiple ink cartridges should be greater than the estimated ink volume, and the excess ink volume after printing is completed should be less than the maximum volume of the ink cartridge.

[0061] This embodiment is suitable for high-volume industrial printing, eliminating the need for pre-processing and enabling instant printing. The correction of ink droplet volume is completed during the printing process, enabling continuous printing and improving accuracy. The precise warning of ink cartridge replacement time saves ink and improves printing efficiency, making the efficiency improvement particularly significant in high-volume industrial printing scenarios.

[0062] The printing parameters may also include a preset theoretical value of ink droplet volume for each ink droplet type preset by the user or manufacturer in the inkjet printing system. In this embodiment, when calculating the amount of ink required for a printing task, formula (1) is first used to calculate:

[0063] (1)

[0064] in, The amount of ink required for a print job. Preset theoretical values ​​of ink drop volume for different ink drop types, The number of ink droplets for different ink droplet types.

[0065] However, it has been found in many practical applications that this calculation method in this embodiment has some defects, as follows: the first case is that when the nozzle is used for a long time, it may be partially blocked. In this case, the size of the ink droplets actually ejected by the nozzle each time is smaller than the preset theoretical value of the ink droplet volume. However, the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type calculated according to the printing task is constant. Then the required ink volume of the printing task calculated based on formula (1) is smaller than the theoretical task required ink volume, which may result in insufficient precision of the printing result of the printing task; the second case is that the nozzle is deformed due to long use time or special use environment, resulting in the size of the ink droplets actually ejected by the nozzle each time being larger than the preset theoretical value of the ink droplet volume. However, the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type calculated according to the printing task is constant. Then the required ink volume of the printing task calculated based on formula (1) is larger than the theoretical task required ink volume, which results in the printing task using too much ink, resulting in poor printing effect, and may also result in insufficient ink volume for the next or next batch of printing tasks. Either of the above two cases will affect printing efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately estimate the amount of ink required for a printing task. To solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present invention proposes recalculating the preset theoretical values ​​of ink droplet volumes for different ink droplet types, or in other words, correcting the preset theoretical values ​​of ink droplet volumes for different ink droplet types. The specific method is as follows:

[0066] In order to realize the correction of ink droplet volume of different ink droplet types, the embodiment of the present invention adopts multiple detection signals for ink volume statistics. Of course, the multiple detections correspond to the printing tasks, that is, the correction of the preset ink droplet volume theoretical value of different ink droplet types is realized in the same or the same batch of printing tasks.

[0067] Specifically, ink droplet types generally refer to the classification of ink droplets according to volume.

[0068] Step 120: determining a calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in the plurality of detection signals; wherein the ink consumption value between the two adjacent detection signals is a preset ink consumption value;

[0069] Combine Figure 2To understand, for example, in the first correction, the initial remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge before the print task is executed can be first obtained through the ink amount detection unit, and then the ink amount detection unit can send a first detection signal to the processor based on the print instruction. At this time, the processor marks the ink amount information as ink amount information 1 according to the received first detection signal, and calculates the ink droplet count calculation amount of each ink droplet type required for the next print task based on the ink amount information 1 from 0 (the ink droplet count is also the number of ink droplets, or the number of ink droplets), and controls the ink amount detection unit to count the next ink consumption value from 0; when the ink amount detection unit detects that the ink amount is consumed from 0 to the preset ink consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink amount detection unit sends a second detection signal to the processor, and the processor marks the ink amount information as ink amount information 2 according to the received second detection signal, and calculates the ink droplet count calculation amount of each ink droplet type required for the next print task based on the ink amount information 2 from 0, and , control the ink volume detection unit to count the next ink consumption value from 0; when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume is consumed from 0 to a preset ink consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends a third detection signal to the processor, and the processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 3 according to the received third detection signal, and calculates the ink droplet count calculation amount of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task from 0 based on the ink volume information 3, and controls the ink volume detection unit to count the next ink consumption value from 0; when the ink volume detection unit detects that the ink volume is consumed from 0 to a preset ink consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink volume detection unit sends a fourth detection signal to the processor, and the processor marks the ink volume information as ink volume information 4 according to the received fourth detection signal, and calculates the ink droplet count calculation amount of each ink droplet type required for the next printing task from 0 based on the ink volume information 4, and controls the ink volume detection unit to count the next ink consumption value from 0. Until, when the ink amount detection unit detects that the ink amount is consumed from 0 to a preset ink consumption value (for example, 100 ml), the ink amount detection unit sends a first number of detection signals to the processor.

[0070] Step 130: determining a correction value for the ink drop volume of each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and a preset ink consumption value;

[0071] Specifically, after counting the calculated number of ink droplet dots for each ink droplet type between two consecutive detection signals in a preset number of detection signals, the ink droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type can be determined based on the calculated number of ink droplet dots for each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value, and according to the relationship between the ink droplet dots, ink droplet type, and ink droplet consumption. The relationship between the ink droplet dots, ink droplet type, and ink droplet consumption is described in Formula (1).

[0072] Step 140: Determine the ink volume required for completing the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type.

[0073] Beneficial effects of an embodiment of the present invention: In an embodiment of the present invention, first, a print task, print parameters, and multiple detection signals are obtained; the print parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type; then, the calculated number of ink droplets for each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals in the multiple detection signals is determined; then, based on the calculated number of ink droplets for each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value, a droplet volume correction value for each ink drop type is determined; finally, based on the droplet volume correction value for each ink drop type, the task required ink volume upon completion of the print task is determined. In this way, by realizing real-time calculation of the droplet volumes of different ink drop types during the execution of the same print task or the same batch of print tasks, the ink volume required upon completion of the print task can be more accurately estimated, thereby improving the print quality and printing efficiency of the print task.

[0074] In an optional implementation, step 130 may specifically include:

[0075] 1) With the calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink droplets as known quantities, and the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type as an unknown quantity, construct the target equation group:

[0076] (3)

[0077] in, It is the preset ink consumption value; , , , calculating a number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , calculating the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , The number of different types of ink droplets between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal is calculated; , , , is the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different ink drop types; n is the total number of ink drop types; is the number of ink droplets of the jth ink droplet type between the i-th detection signal and the i+1-th detection signal;

[0078] 2) Substituting the calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value into the target equation group, and using the elimination method to solve the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type in the target equation group to obtain the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type.

[0079] Since the embodiment of the present invention adopts the method of constructing a system of equations and solving them by the elimination method, the following steps are also included before step 1):

[0080] Determine the number of unknowns, that is, determine the number of unknowns corresponding to the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type. This number of unknowns is the same as the number of ink droplet types.

[0081] It should be noted that there is a corresponding relationship between the number of ink droplet types and the number of detection signals. This is related to the elimination method used in the solution algorithm of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, before obtaining the printing information, the following is also included:

[0082] Determine the number of ink droplet types;

[0083] Add 1 to the number of types to get the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

[0084] In short, if the number of the plurality of detection signals is J and the number of the ink droplet types is n, then J=n+1.

[0085] The beneficial technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: the number of detection signal signals is determined by determining the number of types of ink droplets, and a target equation group is formed by constructing multiple equations with the same number of types, and then the elimination method can be used to quickly solve the ink droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type. Since the elimination method has a fixed set of steps, the solution process is very systematic and standardized, and the elimination method is very suitable for programming implementation and can significantly reduce the amount of calculation, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0086] It should be noted that the present embodiment initially selected method one: installing a liquid level sensor in the ink cartridge to calculate correction values ​​for each color and volume of ink. For example, for yellow large droplet ink (Y), a command is issued to the printhead to eject a preset number of large yellow droplets. The correction coefficient is calculated based on the difference in liquid level sensor readings before and after ejection, the preset number of large yellow droplets, and the initial volume. The initial volume of the droplets can be obtained from the printhead manufacturer's manual or by using an ink droplet detection device. However, in actual production applications, it was found that this method of individually correcting the volume of different color and type of ink droplets is inefficient. It requires controlling the printhead to execute preset commands before or during printing, or requires the installation of additional printheads to execute preset commands, and the process of obtaining the correction coefficient is relatively complex. Therefore, this embodiment selected method two: installing multiple liquid level detectors in the ink cartridge. The actual volume of the ink droplets is calculated based on multiple measurements of the ink level and the number of droplets of different volumes. This embodiment can efficiently and accurately determine the actual volume of each color and volume of ink droplets during printing.

[0087] It is understandable that when a printing task uses M colors and N volumes of ink droplets per color, using method one to measure the actual volume of each ink droplet per color and volume requires M×N ink volume measurements and N calculations; using method two to measure the actual volume of each ink droplet per color and volume requires M ink volume measurements and N calculations. It can be seen that method two, selected in this embodiment, requires M×NM fewer measurements than method one. It can be seen that the measurement scheme in method one must be completed before printing or the printing process must be suspended for measurement. The measurement process is complex, requires M×N ink volume measurements, and has low measurement efficiency. The measurement scheme in method two can achieve real-time measurement of the actual volume of each ink droplet per color and volume during the printing process. The measurement can be completed during the printing process, has strong real-time performance, requires M ink volume measurements, and has high printing efficiency.

[0088] In an optional implementation, the ink amount determination method in the embodiment of the present invention may further include:

[0089] When printing a print task, the ink drop volume of each ink drop type is corrected multiple times according to the printing requirements, and the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type obtained by the last correction is used to calculate the task required ink volume when the print task is completed.

[0090] Optionally, the results obtained from multiple corrections are averaged to obtain the corrected average value of the ink droplet volume for each ink droplet type, and then the corrected average value of the ink droplet volume for each ink droplet type is used to calculate the amount of ink required for the task when the printing task is completed. This estimation result is more accurate.

[0091] The beneficial technical effect of the embodiment of the present invention is that multiple corrections to the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type can continuously reduce the calculation error of the ink required for the task and improve printing efficiency.

[0092] Optionally, in addition to the first correction, the correction timing of other corrections can be started according to the correction time set in advance. For example, after the first correction is set in advance, the second correction is performed after the preset correction time. The third correction, the fourth correction, etc. are all started according to the correction time set in advance. After the correction is started, the ink amount detection unit starts to send the first detection signal corresponding to the current correction to the processor.

[0093] Optionally, in addition to the first correction, the timing of other corrections can be based on pre-set task stages. For example, if a printing task is divided into a pre-task stage, a mid-task stage, and a post-task stage, the first correction is performed in the pre-task stage, the second correction is performed in the mid-task stage, and the third correction is performed in the post-task stage.

[0094] In this embodiment, due to factors such as time, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and light in the printing scene, the volume of ink droplets ejected by the same printhead in different environments may be different. For example, if the weather is cloudy in the morning and it rains heavily in the afternoon, the air humidity may cause the volume of ink droplets ejected by the printhead to be different. The operation process of a large-scale printing scene may last for many hours or even days. In this scenario, the amount of ink used by the same printer may vary. In order to ensure continuous printing without wasting ink, it is necessary to provide an accurate ink depletion warning so that the ink cartridge can be replaced in time. Therefore, by repeatedly iteratively correcting ink droplets of different colors and volumes, dynamic statistics of ink volume are achieved, accurate warnings of ink levels in ink cartridges are guaranteed, and timely replacement of ink cartridges without wasting ink is achieved, thereby ensuring printing efficiency. In long-term, large-scale printing scenarios, the ink saving effect is significant, and the printing efficiency is significantly improved.

[0095] In an optional embodiment, in the same environment, there are multiple printing machines of the same type and / or the same nozzles operating simultaneously. The ink volume correction and warning can be performed on only one printer, and the ink cartridges of other printers can be replaced based on the correction and warning results, saving software and hardware costs. The solution provided by this embodiment is highly versatile and simple and easy to implement.

[0096] In an optional embodiment, before obtaining the printing information, the method further includes:

[0097] When the ink droplet volume is greater than or equal to a first preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a large ink droplet;

[0098] When the ink droplet volume is smaller than a first preset volume and greater than or equal to a second preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a medium ink droplet;

[0099] When the ink droplet volume is smaller than the second preset volume, the ink droplet type is determined to be a small ink droplet; and the first preset volume is larger than the second preset volume.

[0100] When the ink droplet types are large ink droplets, medium ink droplets, and small ink droplets, step 140: determining the task required ink volume when the printing task is completed based on the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type, may include:

[0101] According to the printing task, calculate the required ink drop number of each ink drop type;

[0102] Substitute the drop volume correction value for each drop type and the required number of drop points for each drop type into the formula:

[0103] ;

[0104] Calculate the ink volume required for the task;

[0105] in, is the ink volume required for the task; A is the number of ink droplets required for the task of large ink droplets; B is the number of ink droplets required for the task of medium ink droplets; C is the number of ink droplets required for the task of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the large ink droplet; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the medium ink droplet; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the small ink droplet.

[0106] For example, after converting the print task into corresponding print data, it can be calculated based on the print data that the task requirement for large ink droplets is 10,000, the task requirement for medium ink droplets is 12,000, and the task requirement for small ink droplets is 3,000.

[0107] In an optional embodiment, the printing parameters further include an initial ink volume value before the printing task is executed;

[0108] The method also includes:

[0109] The ink level difference between the initial ink level value and the task required ink level value is determined as the remaining ink level value.

[0110] When the remaining ink level is less than or equal to the preset ink level warning value (e.g. 15% of the maximum ink cartridge capacity), an alarm signal is issued to provide an ink level warning.

[0111] Beneficial technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention: In the implementation of the present invention, an early warning is issued based on the relationship between the remaining ink value and the preset ink warning value, so that the staff can replace the ink cartridge in time to prepare for the next printing task or the next batch of printing tasks, to prevent the ink cartridge from running out of ink when the next printing task or the next batch of printing tasks is executed, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0112] In a specific implementation, the above-mentioned ink amount determination method can be applied to each of different ink types. In an inkjet printing system, ink types may 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.

[0113] In a specific implementation, the above ink volume determination method can be applied to each of different printhead types. In an inkjet printing system, printhead types may include: thermal inkjet, piezoelectric inkjet, continuous inkjet (CIJ), MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), thermal printhead, etc.

[0114] Combine Figure 2 , the ink amount determination method provided by the embodiment of the present invention is sorted out:

[0115] The processor obtains the print task;

[0116] The processor converts the print task into print data and estimates the amount of ink used;

[0117] The processor may control the print head to start printing the print data based on the print instruction;

[0118] The processor may send a detection start signal to the ink level detection unit based on the print instruction. The ink level detection unit may send a first detection signal to the processor according to the detection start signal and start counting the ink consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor may mark the ink level information 1 based on the first detection signal and start counting the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type required for the print data from 0.

[0119] When the ink consumption counted by the ink level detection unit reaches 100 ml, the second detection signal is sent to the processor to start counting the ink consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor marks the ink level information 2 based on the second detection signal and calculates the number of ink droplets of each ink drop type required for the remaining printing data from 0.

[0120] When the ink consumption counted by the ink level detection unit reaches 100 ml, the third detection signal is sent to the processor to start counting the ink consumption of the ink cartridge from 0. The processor marks the ink level information 2 based on the third detection signal and calculates the number of ink droplets of each ink drop type required for the remaining printing data from 0.

[0121] When the ink consumption counted by the ink volume detection unit reaches 100 ml, the fourth detection signal is sent to the processor and the ink consumption count of the ink cartridge is stopped. The processor calculates the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type based on the ink volume information 4 marked by the fourth detection signal and the number of ink drop points of each ink drop type between two adjacent detection signals obtained by three calculations. For example, as shown in Table 1, the ink drop volume correction value (the ink drop volume correction value is also the volume size) of the large ink drop is x, the ink drop volume correction value of the medium ink drop is y, and the ink drop volume correction value of the small ink drop is z.

[0122] The processor calculates the required number of ink droplets for each ink droplet type based on the printing data. For example, according to Table 1, the required number of ink droplets for a large ink droplet is e, the required number of ink droplets for a medium ink droplet is f, and the required number of ink droplets for a small ink droplet is t.

[0123] Table 1: Ink drop statistics

[0124] Ink drop type Large ink drop Medium ink drop Small ink droplets Size x y z quantity e f t

[0125] The processor estimates the required ink volume for the printing task and warns of the remaining ink volume based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type and the number of ink drop points required for each ink drop type. See Table 1: Using the formula Get the required ink volume for the print job.

[0126] like Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an inkjet printing system, the inkjet printing system comprising a first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink level detection units; each inkjet printer is provided with a processor and an ink cartridge; the first number is greater than the second number;

[0127] Each of the second number of inkjet printers is equipped with an ink level detection unit; the ink level detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink level detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink level detection unit is used to detect the ink level in the ink cartridge and send multiple detection signals to the processor based on the ink level in the ink cartridge, and the processor implements the ink level determination method in any of the above embodiments based on the multiple detection signals received.

[0128] It should be noted that, for the same type of ink, only one set of ink amount detection units may be used.

[0129] It should be noted that, for the same type of printheads, only one set of ink level detection units may be used.

[0130] Optionally, the second number 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-mentioned ink volume determination method, the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type can be applied to other inkjet printers that do not have an ink volume detection unit, which can save system costs.

[0131] like Figure 4 As shown, the ink amount determination device provided by the present invention is described below. The ink amount determination device described below and the ink amount determination method described above can refer to each other.

[0132] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an ink volume determination device for implementing the ink volume determination method in any of the above embodiments. The ink volume determination device may include:

[0133] An acquisition module 410 is configured to acquire a print task, print parameters, and a plurality of detection signals; the print task is an industrial print task, and the print parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type;

[0134] A first determining module 420 is configured to determine a calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in the plurality of detection signals, wherein the ink consumption value between the two adjacent detection signals is a preset ink consumption value;

[0135] A second determining module 430 is configured to determine an ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and a preset ink consumption value;

[0136] The third determining module 440 is configured to determine the ink volume required when the printing task is completed based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type.

[0137] The second determination module 430 is specifically configured to construct a target equation group using the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption values ​​corresponding to all ink droplets as known quantities, and the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type as an unknown quantity. The target equation group is:

[0138] ;

[0139] in, It is the preset ink consumption value; , , , calculating a number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , calculating the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , The number of different types of ink droplets between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal is calculated; , , , Corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different ink drop types;

[0140] The calculated ink droplet count and the preset ink consumption value for each ink droplet type are substituted into the target equation group, and the elimination method is used to solve the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type in the target equation group to obtain the ink droplet volume correction value for each ink droplet type.

[0141] The ink volume determination device is further configured to correct the ink drop volume of each ink drop type multiple times according to printing requirements when printing a print task.

[0142] The ink volume determination device is further configured to determine the ink drop type as a large ink drop when the ink drop volume is greater than or equal to a first preset volume;

[0143] When the ink droplet volume is smaller than a first preset volume and greater than or equal to a second preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a medium ink droplet;

[0144] When the ink droplet volume is smaller than the second preset volume, the ink droplet type is determined to be a small ink droplet; and the first preset volume is larger than the second preset volume.

[0145] The third determining module 440 is specifically configured to calculate the task required ink droplet count for each ink droplet type according to the printing task;

[0146] Substitute the drop volume correction value for each drop type and the required number of drop points for each drop type into the formula:

[0147] ;

[0148] in, is the ink volume required for the task; A is the number of ink droplets required for the task of large ink droplets; B is the number of ink droplets required for the task of medium ink droplets; C is the number of ink droplets required for the task of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the large ink droplet; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the medium ink droplet; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the small ink droplet.

[0149] Before acquiring the printing information, the ink quantity determining device is further used to determine the quantity of the ink droplet type;

[0150] Add 1 to the number of types to get the number of detection signals corresponding to each correction.

[0151] The printing parameters also include an initial ink volume value before the printing task is executed; the ink volume determination device is further configured to determine the ink volume difference between the initial ink volume value and the ink volume required by the task as the remaining ink volume value.

[0152] The ink amount determination device is also used to send an alarm signal to provide an ink amount warning when the remaining ink amount value is less than or a preset ink amount warning value.

[0153] In yet another aspect, the present invention further provides a computer storage medium having instructions stored therein. When the instructions are executed, the ink amount determination method in any of the above embodiments is implemented.

[0154] 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, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus. The memory stores a computer program executable by the processor; when the processor executes the computer program, it can execute the ink level determination method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0155] In addition, the logical instructions in the aforementioned memory can be implemented in the form of a software functional unit and, when sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, or the portion that contributes to the prior art, or the portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the method of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0156] Although the present invention has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed invention, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0157] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the invention. It will be apparent that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for determining ink volume, characterized in that: include: Obtain printing tasks, printing parameters and multiple detection signals; The printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type; Determining a calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type between two adjacent detection signals in a plurality of detection signals; wherein the ink consumption value between the two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value; Determining an ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value; Determining the ink volume required for completing the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type; The step of determining the ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value includes: The number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink droplets are known quantities, and the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type is an unknown quantity. A target equation group is constructed, and the target equation group is: ； in, is the preset ink consumption value; , , , calculating a number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , calculating the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , The number of different types of ink droplets between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal is calculated; , , , Corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different ink drop types; Substituting the calculated number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value into the target equation group, and solving the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type in the target equation group using the elimination method to obtain a corrected ink droplet volume value for each ink droplet type; The ink volume determination method also includes: when printing a print task, performing multiple corrections on the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type according to printing requirements, and using the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type obtained from the last correction to calculate the task required ink volume when the print task is completed.

2. The ink amount determination method according to claim 1, wherein: Before obtaining the printing information, the method further includes: When the ink droplet volume is greater than or equal to a first preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a large ink droplet; When the ink droplet volume is smaller than the first preset volume and greater than or equal to the second preset volume, determining the ink droplet type as a medium ink droplet; When the ink drop volume is smaller than the second preset volume, the ink drop type is determined to be a small ink drop; and the first preset volume is larger than the second preset volume.

3. The ink amount determination method according to claim 2, wherein: The determining, based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type, the ink volume required when the printing task is completed, includes: Calculating the number of ink droplets required for each ink droplet type according to the printing task; Substitute the drop volume correction value for each drop type and the required number of drop points for each drop type into the formula: ； Calculating the ink volume required for the task; in, is the ink volume required for the task; A is the number of ink droplets required for the task of large ink droplets; B is the number of ink droplets required for the task of medium ink droplets; C is the number of ink droplets required for the task of small ink droplets; X is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the large ink droplet; Y is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the medium ink droplet; Z is the ink droplet volume correction value corresponding to the small ink droplet.

4. The ink amount determination method according to claim 3, wherein: Before getting the print information, it also includes: Determine the number of ink droplet types; The number of detection signals corresponding to each correction is obtained by adding 1 to the number of types.

5. The ink amount determination method according to claim 1, wherein: The printing parameters also include an initial ink volume value before the printing task is executed; The method further comprises: An ink amount difference between the initial ink amount value and the task required ink amount is determined as a remaining ink amount value.

6. The ink amount determination method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: When the remaining ink amount value is less than or equal to a preset ink amount warning value, an alarm signal is issued to provide an ink amount warning.

7. An ink quantity determination device, characterized in that: include: An acquisition module is used to obtain printing tasks, printing parameters and multiple detection signals; The printing task is an industrial printing task, and the printing parameters include at least a preset ink consumption value and an ink drop type; A first determining module is configured to determine a calculated 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 the two adjacent detection signals is the preset ink consumption value; a second determining module, configured to determine an ink drop volume correction value for each ink drop type based on the calculated ink drop count of each ink drop type and the preset ink consumption value; a third determining module, configured to determine a task required ink volume upon completion of the printing task based on the ink drop volume correction value of each ink drop type; The second determination module is specifically configured to construct a target equation group with the number of ink droplets of each ink droplet type and the preset ink consumption value corresponding to all ink droplets as known quantities, and the corrected ink droplet volume corresponding to each ink droplet type as an unknown quantity. The target equation group is: ； in, It is the preset ink consumption value; , , , calculating a number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the first detection signal and the second detection signal; , , , calculating the number of ink droplets of different ink droplet types between the second detection signal and the third detection signal; , , , The number of different types of ink droplets between the nth detection signal and the n+1th detection signal is calculated; , , , Corrected ink drop volume corresponding to different ink drop types; Substituting the calculated ink drop count and the preset ink consumption value for each ink drop type into the target equation group, and using the elimination method to solve the corrected ink drop volume corresponding to each ink drop type in the target equation group, to obtain the corrected ink drop volume value for each ink drop type; The ink volume determination device is also used to perform multiple corrections on the ink droplet volume of each ink droplet type according to printing requirements when printing a print task, and use the ink droplet volume correction value of each ink droplet type obtained from the last correction to calculate the task required ink volume when the printing task is completed.

8. An inkjet printing system, characterized in that: include: a first number of inkjet printers and a second number of ink level 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 level detection unit; the ink level detection unit is connected to the ink cartridge, and the ink level detection unit is also communicatively connected to the corresponding processor; the ink level detection unit is used to detect the ink level of the ink cartridge and send multiple detection signals to the processor based on the ink level of the ink cartridge, and the processor implements the ink level determination method as described in any one of claims 1-6 based on the received multiple detection signals.

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