Nozzle group feathering printing method, device and equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a nozzle group feather printing method, device and equipment, and relates to the technical field of ink-jet printing. According to the method, feather templates of all nozzles are stored in storage areas of corresponding nozzle driving modules, and in the printing process, the nozzle driving modules read feather data in the feather templates from the corresponding storage modules according to printing data and row count values received from a data processing module; compared with a mode of carrying out printing data feathering processing in printing control software of an upper computer, the performance of the upper computer can be saved, and the printing data can be processed to obtain final printing data and then the final printing data are sent to a spray head for ink-jet printing. And the speed of directly performing printing data feathering processing on the spray head driving module is higher, so that the printing efficiency and the printing effect of the ink-jet printing system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, and equipment for printhead assembly feathering printing. Background Technology

[0002] To increase the width of a single scan print, inkjet printing systems often employ methods such as... Figure 1 As shown, multiple printheads are stitched together along the sub-scanning direction Y to form a printhead group. Because stitching printheads results in some nozzle overlap (the overlapping area is called the printhead stitching area), if all overlapping nozzles eject ink during printing, the ink density in the printhead stitching area will increase, creating a so-called "stitching line," affecting the overall print quality. Therefore, the print data corresponding to the printhead stitching area is feathered before inkjet printing to avoid stitching lines and improve print quality. Figure 2 As shown, in existing technologies, feathering of print data is often performed in the print control software of the host computer of the inkjet printing system. The feathered print data is then sent to the printhead driver module of the slave computer to drive the corresponding printhead to dispense ink for printing. This method of feathering in the host computer places high demands on its processing performance, especially as the amount of print data to be processed increases. When the host computer's performance cannot meet the requirements of print data feathering, it can easily cause slow or stagnant data transmission, affecting the printing efficiency of the inkjet printing system and even the print quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and equipment for feathering printing of printhead groups, in order to solve the problem of low efficiency in feathering printing data processing on a host computer in the prior art.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a nozzle assembly feathering printing method, the method comprising:

[0005] The nozzle assembly includes at least a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the nozzles of the first nozzle and the second nozzle partially overlap to form a nozzle splicing area, and the method includes:

[0006] Based on the size of the nozzle splicing area, feathering templates corresponding to the first nozzle and the second nozzle are set, and are respectively denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence.

[0007] The first feathering template and the second feathering template are stored in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively.

[0008] Control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction;

[0009] When the first printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the first print data and the first row count value from the data processing module, extracts the first feather data from the first feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and prints the pixel row by dispensing ink according to the first row feather data and the first print data.

[0010] When the second printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the second print data and the second row count value from the data processing module, extracts the second feather data from the second feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and prints the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feather data and the second print data.

[0011] Preferably, the number of columns of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is determined according to the number of overlapping nozzles in the nozzle splicing area; the number of rows of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is MAX+1, where MAX is a natural number greater than or equal to 0; the first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template and the second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template have the preset correspondence, where 0≤i≤MAX.

[0012] Preferably, the first storage module includes (MAX+1) first storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the first feathering data; the second storage module includes (MAX+1) second storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the second feathering data.

[0013] Preferably, the range of the first row count value and the second row count value is [0, MAX].

[0014] Preferably, before storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively, the method further includes:

[0015] The row pixel offset parameter j is obtained based on the offset distance between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0016] Preferably, storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes:

[0017] The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0018] The i-th row of the second feathered data is stored in the k-th second storage unit of the second storage module, wherein...

[0019]

[0020] Preferably, storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes:

[0021] The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0022] The second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template is stored in the i-th second storage unit in the second storage module.

[0023] Preferably, the count value of the first row is n, and the count value of the second row is m, where 0≤n and m≤MAX;

[0024] The step of extracting the first feathered data from the first feathered template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes:

[0025] The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0026] The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes:

[0027] The data extracted from the m-th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0028] Preferably, the count value of the first row is n, the count value of the second row is m, 0≤n, m≤MAX;

[0029] The step of extracting the first feathered data from the first feathered template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes:

[0030] The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0031] The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes:

[0032] The data extracted from the m+MAX-(j-1)th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0033] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a printhead assembly feathering printing device, wherein the printhead assembly includes at least a first printhead and a second printhead, and the nozzles of the first printhead and the second printhead partially overlap to form a printhead splicing area, the device comprising:

[0034] The feathering template setting module is used to set the feathering templates corresponding to the first nozzle and the second nozzle according to the size of the nozzle splicing area. These templates are denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template, respectively. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence.

[0035] The feathering template storage module is used to store the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively.

[0036] The printing module is used to control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction;

[0037] The first feathering data acquisition module is used to receive first printing data and a first row count value from the data processing module when the first printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the first feathering data from the first feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the first row feathering data and the first printing data.

[0038] The second feathering data acquisition module is used to receive second printing data and a second row count value from the data processing module when the second printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feathering data and the second printing data.

[0039] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a printhead assembly feathering printing device, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect described above is implemented.

[0040] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of the first aspect described above.

[0041] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0042] The printhead group feathering printing method, apparatus, and device provided in this invention store the feathering template of each printhead in the storage area of ​​the corresponding printhead drive module. During the printing process, the printhead drive module reads the feathering data from the feathering template from the corresponding storage module according to the printing data and line count value received from the data processing module. After processing the printing data and feathering data to obtain the final printing data, it sends it to the printhead for inkjet printing. Compared with the method of feathering the printing data in the printing control software of the host computer, it can save the performance of the host computer, and the speed of feathering the printing data directly in the printhead drive module is faster, thereby improving the printing efficiency and printing effect of the inkjet printing system. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle assembly in the background art.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an inkjet printing system in the background art.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of the nozzle assembly feathering printing method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first feathering template and the second feathering template in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the printed pixel rows in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the printhead assembly feathering printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the printhead assembly feathering printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present invention and are not configured to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the invention.

[0054] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0055] Example 1

[0056] This invention provides a printhead assembly feathering printing method, applicable to inkjet printing systems, which can be reciprocating scanning inkjet printing systems or Onepass inkjet printing systems. For example,... Figure 2 As shown, the inkjet printing system includes a host computer and a slave computer. The host computer can be a PC, tablet computer, smartphone, or other terminal device. The slave computer includes a data processing module, a first printhead driver module, a second printhead driver module, a first printhead, and a second printhead. The data processing module sends the printing data received from the host computer to the first and second printhead driver modules to drive the corresponding first and second printheads to output ink and print images.

[0057] like Figure 3 The diagram shows a printhead assembly in an inkjet printing system. The printhead assembly includes at least a first printhead Q1 and a second printhead Q2. The first printhead includes at least one inkjet channel C1, and the second printhead includes at least one inkjet channel C2. Due to the physical structure and installation method of the printheads, there will be a certain gap between inkjet channels C1 and C2; this gap is denoted as the offset distance h. In other embodiments, the printhead assembly is composed of two or more printheads joined together. Figure 4 As shown, the printhead assembly includes three printheads, each with four inkjet channels (CMYK) for ejecting inks of the four CMYK colors. Figure 3 or Figure 4 As shown, the printheads in the printhead assembly are spliced ​​in pairs to increase the width of a single scan print. The print data corresponding to the nozzles in the spliced ​​area needs to be feathered to improve the print quality. In this embodiment of the invention, the feathering of the print data is not performed on the host computer, but in the inkjet drive module of the slave computer. This avoids the performance requirements of the host computer on the print data feathering process and reduces the burden on the host computer.

[0058] For ease of description, the embodiments of the present invention are described in terms of... Figure 3 The specific steps of the printhead group feathering printing method in this embodiment of the invention are explained in detail using the printhead group as an example.

[0059] Please see Figure 5 The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0060] S1: Set feathering templates corresponding to the first and second nozzles according to the size of the nozzle splicing area, and denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template respectively. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence.

[0061] S2: Store the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively;

[0062] S3: Control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction;

[0063] S4: When the first printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the first print data and the first row count value from the data processing module, extracts the first feather data from the first feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and prints the pixel row by ink output according to the first row feather data and the first print data.

[0064] S5: When the second printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the second print data and the second row count value from the data processing module, extracts the second feather data from the second feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and prints the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feather data and the second print data.

[0065] Specifically, feathering the printed data in the printhead splicing area first requires setting a corresponding feather template. A feather template is a data matrix with a certain number of rows and columns; the column values ​​are often referred to as its width, and the row values ​​as its height. The feather template corresponding to the first printhead splicing area is denoted as the first feather template, and the feather template corresponding to the second printhead splicing area is denoted as the second feather template. The width of both the first and second feather templates is the same as the width of the printhead splicing area, which is determined by the number of overlapping nozzle columns. For example,... Figure 3 As shown, the number of overlapping nozzle columns in the nozzle splicing area is 4, so the width of the nozzle splicing area is denoted as 4. Preferably, the width (number of columns) of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is the same as the width of the nozzle splicing area. The width and height of the first feathering template and the second feathering template are denoted as W1 and W2, respectively. When the width of the nozzle splicing area is 4, W1 = 4, W2 = 4. The height (number of rows) of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is determined according to the actual situation and is not limited here. For example, when the storage space in the first nozzle driving module is large enough, the height of the first feathering template can be set to a larger value; when the storage space in the first nozzle driving module is limited, the height of the first feathering template can be set to a smaller value. Similarly, when the storage space in the second nozzle driving module is large enough, the height of the second feathering template can be set to a larger value; when the storage space in the second nozzle driving module is limited, the height of the second feathering template can be set to a smaller value. The heights of the first feathering template and the second feathering template are denoted as H1 and H2, respectively. In one embodiment, H1 = H2 = MAX + 1, where MAX is a natural number greater than or equal to 0. Preferably, MAX = 63.

[0066] The first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence. In one embodiment, the preset correspondence is complementary, that is, the first feathering template and the second feathering template are complementary. Complementarity means that when the first feathering template and the second feathering template are added together, they result in a matrix of all 1s, and when the first feathering template and the second feathering template are ANDed together, they result in a matrix of all 0s. Figure 6The diagram illustrates an example of a first feathering template and a second feathering template. When the first feathering template and the second feathering template are complementary, the first feathered data (referred to as the first feathered data) of each row in the first feathering template and the second feathered data (referred to as the second feathered data) of the corresponding row in the second feathering template are complementary. When the height of both the first feathering template and the second feathering template is MAX+1, that is, when the number of rows in both the first feathering template and the second feathering template is MAX+1, and the first feathered data of the i-th row of the first feathering template is complementary to the second feathered data of the i-th row of the second feathering template, where 0≤i≤MAX.

[0067] In other embodiments, the preset correspondence can also be implemented according to a preset algorithm. For example, the preset algorithm here can be a linear mapping algorithm or a nonlinear mapping algorithm, so that the first feathered template and the second feathered template have a linear mapping or nonlinear mapping correspondence.

[0068] After setting the first feathering template and the second feathering template, allocate corresponding storage space for the first feathering template in the first nozzle drive module, denoted as the first storage module, and allocate corresponding storage area for the second feathering template in the second nozzle drive module, denoted as the second storage module.

[0069] In other embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, since one end of the middle nozzle P2 is spliced ​​with nozzle P1 and the other end with nozzle P3, the two splicing areas of nozzle P2 each correspond to a feathering template. For ease of description, let's say nozzle P1 comes first and nozzle P3 comes last. Then, the rear end of nozzle P1 is spliced ​​with the front end of nozzle P2, and the rear end of nozzle P2 is spliced ​​with the front end of nozzle P3. At this time, the feathering template corresponding to the splicing area at the rear end of nozzle P1 is complementary to the feathering template corresponding to the splicing area at the front end of nozzle P2, and the feathering template corresponding to the splicing area at the rear end of nozzle P2 is complementary to the feathering template corresponding to the splicing area at the front end of nozzle P3. Nozzles P1, P2, and P3 each include four CMYK channels. Each of the four CMYK channels in nozzle P1 has its own corresponding feathering template (the feathering templates corresponding to the four channels can be the same or different). When setting the storage space for each feathering template in the nozzle driver module, preferably, a separate storage module for the feathering template is configured for each channel. For example, in the nozzle driver module corresponding to nozzle P1, a storage module is set up for the C channel of nozzle P1 to store the feathering template of that channel, and a storage module is set up for the M channel of nozzle P1 to store the feathering template of that channel... For nozzle P2, since the front and rear sections are spliced ​​with nozzles P1 and P3 respectively, each channel of nozzle P2 has a front feathering template (complementary to the feathering template of the corresponding channel of nozzle P1) and a rear feathering template (complementary to the feathering template of the corresponding channel of nozzle P3). Similarly, in the nozzle driver module corresponding to nozzle P2, a corresponding storage module is set up for each CMYK channel in nozzle P2. This storage module can be divided into two sub-modules to store the front feathering template and the rear feathering template of nozzle P2 respectively. For example, a storage module is set up for the C channel of nozzle P2, which is further divided into a first sub-storage module and a second sub-storage module. The first sub-storage module is used to store the front feathering template of the C channel of nozzle P2, and the second sub-storage module is used to store the feathering template of the C channel of nozzle P2. The back-end feathering template for the C channel...

[0070] Preferably, to effectively utilize storage space, the size of the first storage module is determined by the size of the first feathering template. When the height of the first feathering template is MAX+1, the first storage module includes MAX+1 first storage units, where the size of each first storage unit is determined by the number of bits and the width of the elements in the first feathering template. For example, if each element in the first feathering template corresponds to 1 bit of data and the width of the first feathering template is 4, then the size of each first storage unit is 4 bits, and the size of the corresponding first storage module is 4 bits × (MAX+1). If each element in the first feathering template corresponds to 2 bits of data, then the size of each first storage unit is 8 bits × (MAX+1).

[0071] like Figure 3As shown, due to the physical structure and installation method of the printhead, there will be a certain interval h between the inkjet channels C1 and C2, denoted as the offset distance. The offset distance h will cause a certain time difference when the first printhead and the second printhead print the same pixel line. For example, as... Figure 7 As shown, the first and second printheads print ink along the printing direction X. When the first printhead reaches pixel row 0, the data processing module sends the printing data corresponding to pixel row 0 to the printhead drive module to drive the first printhead to print. As the printing medium (or printhead group) moves, after a period of time, the second printhead reaches pixel row 0. At this time, the first printhead has reached other pixel rows, such as pixel row 9. The row number offset of the two printheads is obtained according to the offset distance between the two printheads, i.e., 9 – 0 = 9. This row number offset is recorded as the row pixel offset parameter j.

[0072] To ensure that the printed data of the nozzle splicing area of ​​the first and second printheads forms complementary data after feathering when printing the same pixel row (e.g., pixel row 0), the first feathered data obtained by the first printhead from the first storage module when printing pixel row 0 needs to be complementary to the second feathered data obtained by the second printhead from the second storage module when printing pixel row 0. In this embodiment of the invention, when the printhead group reaches the printing position of a certain pixel row, the data processing module sends the printing data of that pixel row to the printhead driving module. In addition, the data processing module also sends a row count value to the printhead group. The printhead group reads the corresponding complementary feathered data from the first and second storage modules respectively according to the row count value received from the data processing module. In order to match the length of the first and second storage modules, the row count value ranges from [0, MAX]. The row count value is incremented by 1 after each row of data is printed. For example, when printing pixel row 0, the row count value is 0; when printing pixel row 1, the row count value is incremented by 1 to become 1; when printing pixel row 9, the row count value is 9. When the row count reaches the maximum value (MAX), the value returns to 0 when printing the next row of pixels, and then increments by 1 when printing the next row... and so on.

[0073] Because the first and second printheads are offset, the two printheads print different pixel rows at the same printing time. In this embodiment of the invention, the row count value is mapped one-to-one with the pixel row position printed by the first printhead. For example, when the row count value is 0, it means that the first printhead is printing at pixel row 0, and when the row count value is 1, it means that the first printhead is printing at pixel row 1. If MAX = 9, when the row count value is 9, it means that the first printhead is printing at pixel row 9. When printing the next row, since the row count value will be reset to 0, the first printhead will be printing at pixel row 10 (1*9+1).

[0074] Both the first and second printheads read corresponding feathering data from the first and second storage modules respectively, based on the row count value obtained from the data processing module. When the printing position of the first printhead is pixel row 0, the row count value is 0, and the first printhead reads the first feathering data from the first storage module based on this row count value. When the printing position of the second printhead reaches pixel row 0, the row count value is j (obtained according to the row pixel offset parameter j). In order to retrieve the feathering data complementary to that of the first printhead when the printing position is pixel row 0 from the second storage module, this invention combines the row pixel offset parameter j to store the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first and second storage modules respectively according to a preset rule.

[0075] In one embodiment, storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes:

[0076] The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0077] The i-th row of the second feathered data is stored in the k-th second storage unit of the second storage module, wherein...

[0078] Specifically, when storing the first feathered template, the first feathered data of its 0th row is stored in the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module (to correspond with the pixel row count, the row value of the first feathered template and the storage units in the first storage module also start counting from 0, and since the row count value is cyclically taken from 0 to MAX, similarly, when reading data in the first storage module, it is also cyclically read from the 0th to the MAXth first storage unit; the second feathered template and the second storage module are similar), the first feathered data of the 1st row is stored in the 1st first storage unit, ..., and the first feathered data of the MAXth row is stored in the MAXth first storage unit. In the storage unit; corresponding to the second feathering template, the second feathered data of the 0th row is stored in the j-th second storage unit in the second storage module, the second feathered data of the 1st row is stored in the (1+j)-th second storage unit, and so on. When i+j < MAX+1, the second feathered data of the 1st row is stored in the (i+j)-th second storage unit; when i+j ≥ MAX+1 and j < MAX+1, the second feathered data of the 1st row is stored in the (i+j-(MAX+1))-th second storage unit; when j ≥ MAX+1, the second feathered data of the 1st row is stored in the (i+(MAX+1)%j)-th second storage unit. For example, if j = 9 and MAX = 11, then the second feathered data in row 0 is stored in the 9th second storage unit, the second feathered data in row 1 is stored in the 10th second storage unit, the second feathered data in row 2 is stored in the 11th second storage unit, the second feathered data in row 3 is stored in the 0th second storage unit, the second feathered data in row 4 is stored in the 1st second storage unit, and so on.

[0079] This storage method allows feathering data to be read directly from the storage unit in the first or second storage module that has the same row count value when the first or second nozzle reads the row count value.

[0080] Based on this storage method, during printing, the first printhead driving module and the second printhead driving module can directly read feathering data from the storage unit in the first or second storage module that has the same row count value as the row count value, according to the row count value received from the data processing module. Specifically, when printing to the same pixel row, the row count value received by the first printhead is the first row count value n, and the row count value received by the second printhead is the second row count value m. Extracting the first feathering data from the first feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes:

[0081] The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0082] The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes:

[0083] The data extracted from the m-th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0084] Based on the above storage and retrieval methods, when the printing position of the first printhead is a certain pixel row, its row count value is n. After retrieving the first feathering data from the nth first storage unit of the first storage module according to the row count value n, the first printhead drive module performs an AND operation (feathering processing) on ​​the data of the printhead splicing area in the first print data of the pixel row received from the data processing module and the corresponding first feathering data to obtain the print data of the first printhead. Then, the print data is sent to the first printhead for ink output and printing.

[0085] Similarly, when the second printhead prints to the same pixel row, based on the row count value m at this time, the second feathering data is extracted from the mth second storage unit of the first storage module. The second printhead drive module performs an AND operation on the data of the printhead splicing area and the corresponding second feathering data in the second print data of the pixel row received from the data processing module to obtain the final print data of the second printhead. Then, the print data is sent to the second printhead for ink output and printing.

[0086] For example, if the row pixel offset parameter j is 9 and MAX = 11, when the first printhead prints to pixel row 0, the row count value is 0. The first printhead drive module reads the first feathering data from the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module and ANDs it with the first print data received from the data processing module at this time to obtain the print data of the first printhead. The print data is then sent to the first printhead for printing. After a period of time, when the second printhead prints to pixel line 0, the line count is 9. The second printhead drive module reads the second feathering data from the 9th second storage unit of the second storage module and ANDs it with the second print data received from the data processing module to obtain the print data of the second printhead. The print data is then sent to the second printhead for printing. Because the data stored in the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module is the first feathering data of the 0th row, and the data in the 9th second storage unit of the second storage module is the second feathering data of the 0th row, the first feathering data of the 0th row and the second feathering data of the 0th row are complementary, thus ensuring that the data in the printhead splicing area when the first printhead prints pixel line 0 and the second printhead prints pixel line 0 are complementary.

[0087] In one embodiment, storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes:

[0088] The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0089] The second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template is stored in the i-th second storage unit in the second storage module.

[0090] Specifically, when storing the first feathering template, the first feathering data of its 0th row is stored in the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module (in order to correspond with the pixel row count value, the row value of the first feathering template and the storage unit in the first storage module are also counted from 0, and since the row count value is cyclically taken in the range of 0 to MAX, the data in the first storage module is also cyclically read from the 0th to the MAXth first storage unit, and the second feathering template and the second storage module are similar)), the first feathering data of the 1st row is stored in the 1st first storage unit, ..., the first feathering data of the MAXth row is stored in the MAXth first storage unit; corresponding to the second feathering template, the second feathering data of the 0th row is stored in the 0th second storage unit of the second storage module, the second feathering data of the 1st row is stored in the 1st second storage unit, ..., the second feathering data of the MAXth row is stored in the MAXth second storage unit.

[0091] This storage method directly stores the row values ​​of the feathering template and the cell values ​​of the storage module in a one-to-one correspondence. The storage operation is simple. However, when reading feathered data based on the row count value, the data in the second feathering template cannot be read directly based on the row count value obtained from the data processing module.

[0092] Based on this storage method, when printing to the same pixel row, the row count value received by the first printhead is the first row count value n, and the row count value received by the second printhead is the second row count value m. The step of extracting the first feathering data from the first feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes:

[0093] The step of extracting the first feathered data from the first feathered template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes:

[0094] The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0095] The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes:

[0096] The data extracted from the m+MAX-(j-1)th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0097] Based on the above storage and retrieval methods, when the printing position of the first printhead is a certain pixel row, its row count value is n. After retrieving the first feathering data from the nth first storage unit of the first storage module according to the row count value n, the first printhead drive module performs an AND operation (feathering processing) on ​​the data of the printhead splicing area in the first print data of the pixel row received from the data processing module and the corresponding first feathering data to obtain the print data of the first printhead. Then, the print data is sent to the first printhead for ink output and printing.

[0098] Similarly, when the second printhead prints to the same pixel row, the second printhead driver module extracts the second feathering data from the m+MAX-(j-1)th second storage unit of the second storage module according to the second row count value m. Then, the second printhead driver module performs an AND operation on the data of the printhead splicing area and the corresponding second feathering data in the second print data of the pixel row received from the data processing module to obtain the final print data of the second printhead. Finally, the print data is sent to the second printhead for ink output and printing.

[0099] For example, suppose the row pixel offset parameter j is 9 and MAX = 11. When the first printhead prints to pixel row 0, the row count is 0. The first printhead driving module reads the first feathering data from the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module and ANDs it with the first print data received from the data processing module to obtain the print data of the first printhead. The print data is then sent to the first printhead for printing. After a period of time, when the second printhead prints to pixel row 0, the row count is 9. The second printhead driving module reads the second feathering data from the 9+11-(9-1), i.e., the 12th, second storage unit of the second storage module. When retrieving values ​​from the second storage module, the values ​​will be retrieved cyclically from the 0th to the 11th second storage unit. Since the maximum row count of the second storage unit is 11, the 12th second storage unit is the next to the 11th second storage unit, which is the 0th second storage unit. The first feathering data is read from the 0th second storage unit. The feathered data is ANDed with the second print data received from the data processing module to obtain the print data of the second printhead. This print data is then sent to the second printhead for printing. Since the data in the 0th first storage unit of the first storage module is the 0th row of first feathered data, and the data in the 0th second storage unit of the second storage module is the 0th row of second feathered data, the 0th row of first feathered data and the 0th row of second feathered data are complementary. This ensures that the data in the printhead splicing area is complementary when the first printhead prints pixel row 0 and the second printhead prints pixel row 0.

[0100] The above is an example of feathering the print data of the printhead splicing area in the printhead drive module when the printhead group includes two printheads spliced ​​together. When the printhead group includes two or more printheads and multiple printhead splicing areas, the method of feathering the print data of each printhead splicing area in the corresponding printhead drive module is the same as described in the above example, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] In this embodiment of the invention, by storing the feathering template of each printhead in the corresponding printhead drive module storage area, during the printing process, the printhead drive module reads the feathering data in the feathering template from the corresponding storage module according to the printing data and line count value received from the data processing module, processes the printing data and feathering data to obtain the final printing data, and then sends it to the printhead for inkjet printing. Compared with the method of performing print data feathering processing in the printing control software of the host computer, it can save the performance of the host computer, and the speed of performing print data feathering processing directly in the printhead drive module is faster, thereby improving the printing efficiency and printing effect of the inkjet printing system.

[0102] Example 2

[0103] Please see Figure 8 This invention provides a printhead assembly feathering printing device 200. The printhead assembly includes at least a first printhead and a second printhead. Partial overlap of the nozzles of the first and second printheads forms a printhead splicing area. The device includes:

[0104] The feathering template setting module 201 is used to set feathering templates corresponding to the first nozzle and the second nozzle according to the size of the nozzle splicing area, which are respectively denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence.

[0105] The feathering template storage module 202 is used to store the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively.

[0106] Printing module 203 is used to control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction;

[0107] The first feathering data acquisition module 204 is used to receive first printing data and a first row count value from the data processing module when the first printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the first feathering data in the first feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the first row feathering data and the first printing data.

[0108] The second feathering data acquisition module 205 is used to receive second printing data and a second row count value from the data processing module when the second printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feathering data and the second printing data.

[0109] Preferably, the number of columns of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is determined according to the number of overlapping nozzles in the nozzle splicing area; the number of rows of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is MAX+1, where MAX is a natural number greater than or equal to 0; the first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template and the second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template have the preset correspondence, where 0≤i≤MAX.

[0110] Preferably, the first storage module includes (MAX+1) first storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the first feathering data; the second storage module includes (MAX+1) second storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the second feathering data.

[0111] Preferably, the range of the first row count value and the second row count value is [0, MAX].

[0112] Preferably, the device 200 further includes:

[0113] The row pixel offset parameter acquisition module is used to acquire the row pixel offset parameter j based on the offset distance between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0114] Preferably, the feathering template storage module 202 includes:

[0115] The first feathering template storage unit is used to store the i-th row of first feathering data in the first feathering template in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0116] The second feathering template storage unit is used to store the i-th row of the second feathering data in the k-th second storage unit of the second storage module, wherein...

[0117] Preferably, the feathering template storage module 202 includes:

[0118] The third feathering template storage unit is used to store the first feathering data of the i-th row of the first feathering template in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module;

[0119] The fourth feathering template storage unit is used to store the second feathering data of the i-th row in the second feathering template in the i-th second storage unit of the second storage module.

[0120] Preferably, the first feathering data acquisition module 204 includes:

[0121] The first extraction unit is used to extract the data of the nth first storage unit in the first storage module, which is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0122] The second feathering data acquisition module 205 includes:

[0123] The second extraction unit is used to extract the data of the m-th second storage unit in the second storage module, which is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0124] Preferably, the first feathering data acquisition module 204 includes:

[0125] The third extraction unit is used to extract the data of the nth first storage unit in the first storage module, which is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row;

[0126] Preferably, the second feathering data acquisition module 205 includes:

[0127] The fourth extraction unit is used to extract the data of the m+MAX-(j-1)th second storage unit in the second storage module, which is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

[0128] In summary, the printhead group feathering printing device provided in this embodiment of the invention stores the feathering templates of each printhead in the storage area of ​​the corresponding printhead drive module. During the printing process, the printhead drive module reads the feathering data from the feathering templates from the corresponding storage module based on the printing data and line count value received from the data processing module. After processing the printing data and feathering data to obtain the final printing data, it sends it to the printhead for inkjet printing. Compared with the method of feathering the printing data in the printing control software of the host computer, it can save the performance of the host computer, and the speed of feathering the printing data directly in the printhead drive module is faster, thereby improving the printing efficiency and printing effect of the inkjet printing system.

[0129] Example 3

[0130] In addition, the nozzle group feathering printing method of this embodiment can be implemented by a nozzle group feathering printing device. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the printhead assembly feathering printing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0131] The printhead assembly feathering printing device may include a processor 301 and a memory 302 storing computer program instructions.

[0132] Specifically, the processor 301 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention.

[0133] Memory 302 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 302 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, memory 302 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 302 may be internal or external to a data processing device. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0134] The processor 301 reads and executes computer program instructions stored in the memory 302 to implement any of the printhead group feathering printing methods in the above embodiments.

[0135] In one example, the printhead assembly feathering printing device may also include a communication interface 303 and a bus 310. For example, Figure 9 As shown, the processor 301, memory 302, and communication interface 303 are connected through bus 310 and complete communication with each other.

[0136] The communication interface 303 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0137] Bus 310 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of a printhead assembly feathering printing device together. For example, and not limitingly, bus 310 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 310 may include one or more buses. While specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

[0138] Example 4

[0139] Furthermore, in conjunction with the printhead group feathering printing method in the above embodiments, this invention can be implemented using a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by the processor 301, they implement any of the printhead group feathering printing methods in the above embodiments.

[0140] In summary, the printhead assembly feathering printing method, apparatus, and equipment provided in the embodiments of the present invention...

[0141] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0142] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0143] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this invention describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0144] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for feathering printing with a printhead assembly, characterized in that, The nozzle assembly includes at least a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the nozzles of the first nozzle and the second nozzle partially overlap to form a nozzle splicing area, and the method includes: Based on the size of the nozzle splicing area, feathering templates corresponding to the first nozzle and the second nozzle are set, and are respectively denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are stored in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively. Control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction; When the first printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the first print data and the first row count value from the data processing module, extracts the first feather data from the first feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and prints the pixel row by dispensing ink according to the first row feather data and the first print data. When the second printhead prints to the pixel row, it receives the second print data and the second row count value from the data processing module, extracts the second feather data from the second feather template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and prints the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feather data and the second print data.

2. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of columns of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is determined according to the number of overlapping nozzles in the nozzle splicing area; the number of rows of the first feathering template and the second feathering template is MAX+1, where MAX is a natural number greater than or equal to 0; the first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template and the second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template have the preset correspondence, where 0≤i≤MAX.

3. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first storage module includes (MAX+1) first storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the first feathering data; the second storage module includes (MAX+1) second storage units, each of which is used to store one row of the second feathering data.

4. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The range of the first row count value and the second row count value is [0, MAX].

5. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Before storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively, the following steps are included: The row pixel offset parameter j is obtained based on the offset distance between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

6. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes: The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module; The i-th row of the second feathered data is stored in the k-th second storage unit of the second storage module, wherein...

7. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of storing the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module respectively includes: The first feathering data in the i-th row of the first feathering template is stored in the i-th first storage unit of the first storage module; The second feathering data in the i-th row of the second feathering template is stored in the i-th second storage unit of the second storage module.

8. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first row has a count value of n, and the second row has a count value of m, where 0 ≤ n and m ≤ MAX; The step of extracting the first feathered data from the first feathered template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes: The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row; The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes: The data extracted from the m-th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

9. The nozzle assembly feathering printing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first row has a count value of n, the second row has a count value of m, 0 ≤ n, m ≤ MAX; The step of extracting the first feathered data from the first feathered template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module based on the first row count value includes: The data extracted from the nth first storage unit in the first storage module is the first feathered data corresponding to the pixel row; The step of extracting the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module based on the second row count value includes: The data extracted from the m+MAX-(j-1)th second storage unit in the second storage module is the second feathered data corresponding to the pixel row.

10. A nozzle assembly feathering printing device, characterized in that, The nozzle assembly includes at least a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the nozzles of the first nozzle and the second nozzle partially overlap to form a nozzle splicing area, and the device includes: The feathering template setting module is used to set the feathering templates corresponding to the first nozzle and the second nozzle according to the size of the nozzle splicing area. These templates are denoted as the first feathering template and the second feathering template, respectively. The first feathering template and the second feathering template are data matrices of the same size, and the first feathering template and the second feathering template have a preset correspondence. The feathering template storage module is used to store the first feathering template and the second feathering template in the first storage module of the first nozzle driving module and the second storage module of the second nozzle driving module, respectively. The printing module is used to control the first printhead and the second printhead to print the same pixel row sequentially along the printing direction; The first feathering data acquisition module is used to receive first printing data and a first row count value from the data processing module when the first printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the first feathering data from the first feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the first storage module according to the first row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the first row feathering data and the first printing data. The second feathering data acquisition module is used to receive second printing data and a second row count value from the data processing module when the second printhead prints to the pixel row, extract the second feathering data from the second feathering template corresponding to the pixel row from the second storage module according to the second row count value, and print the pixel row by ink output according to the second row feathering data and the second printing data.

11. A nozzle assembly feathering printing device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed by the processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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