Nozzle calibration image acquisition method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a nozzle calibration image acquisition method and device, equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of ink-jet printing. The method comprises the following steps: determining an initial nozzle calibration image required for nozzle calibration; determining an ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial nozzle calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern comprises any one of a large dot, a middle dot, a small dot and a mixed dot; and obtaining a to-be-printed nozzle calibration image according to the initial nozzle calibration image and the ink dot pattern. According to the method, the initial nozzle calibration image and the corresponding ink dot type are combined to obtain the to-be-printed nozzle calibration image, then nozzle calibration is performed, it can be ensured that the calibration image obtained through printing can accurately reflect the printing state of the nozzle, and therefore printing deviation can be rapidly recognized and corrected, and the calibration process is more efficient and accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for acquiring printhead calibration images. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology refers to the technology of ejecting ink droplets onto a printing medium through a printhead to obtain images or text. As the requirements for image printing quality and precision increase, inkjet printers now often integrate multiple printheads to meet the demands of high-quality, high-precision, or wide-format image printing. Currently, printhead installation is done manually, which inevitably leads to problems such as printhead tilting and inaccurate installation distance, resulting in deviations in the final printed image. Furthermore, during the image printing process, machine errors are unavoidable due to the inherent limitations of hardware structures such as stepper motors, resulting in issues such as inaccurate printing steps, misalignment during left-right reciprocating printing, and inaccurate color registration.

[0003] The current method to solve the above problems is to calibrate the printhead by printing a calibration image. The calibration image in the existing technology is often a pre-set image. Since the dot pattern of the ink droplets used cannot be selected or limited when printing the calibration image, the final printed calibration image may affect the image quality due to the mismatch of the dot pattern of the ink droplets used when ink is dispensed. This will affect the accuracy of the printhead calibration, and will require further calibration of the printhead using other images such as grid images or color block images. This will increase the time spent on printhead calibration and make the calibration process more complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for acquiring nozzle calibration images, in order to solve the problem of poor nozzle calibration accuracy in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for acquiring a nozzle calibration image, the method comprising:

[0006] Determine the initial nozzle calibration image required for nozzle calibration;

[0007] Determine the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots;

[0008] The printhead calibration image to be printed is obtained based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern.

[0009] Preferably, the nozzle calibration includes any one or more of the following: step calibration, nozzle spacing calibration, lateral spacing calibration, longitudinal spacing calibration, vertical calibration, bidirectional calibration, color matching calibration, and nozzle status calibration.

[0010] Preferably, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0011] Obtain the first external input information;

[0012] The ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image is determined based on the first external input information.

[0013] Preferably, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0014] The printhead to be calibrated is controlled to print the initial printhead calibration image to obtain the first test calibration image;

[0015] The image acquisition device is controlled to acquire the first test calibration image to obtain the acquired calibration image;

[0016] The acquired calibration images are subjected to image analysis and processing, and the analysis and processing results are obtained.

[0017] Based on the analysis and processing results, and one or more of the following: printhead model, printhead accuracy, ink type, and media material, determine the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image.

[0018] Preferably, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0019] S51: Control the printhead to be calibrated to print the initial printhead calibration image according to the preset ink dot pattern to obtain the second test calibration image;

[0020] S52: After pre-calibrating the printhead according to the second test calibration image, control the printhead to print the second initial printhead calibration image according to the preset ink dot pattern to obtain the third test calibration image;

[0021] S53: Determine whether the third test calibration image meets the preset requirements;

[0022] S54: If not, repeat steps S51 to S53 until the obtained third test calibration image meets the preset requirements and the preset ink dot pattern is determined as the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for printing calibration diagrams, the method comprising:

[0024] Obtain a printhead calibration image as described in any of the first aspects;

[0025] Obtain the ink dot pattern corresponding to the calibration image of the printhead to be printed;

[0026] Based on the ink dot pattern, the corresponding driving waveform is used to drive the printhead to be calibrated to inkjet print the printhead calibration image to obtain a printed calibration image.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a nozzle calibration method, the method comprising:

[0028] Obtain the printed calibration diagram as described in the second aspect;

[0029] The calibration information of the printhead to be calibrated is obtained based on the printed calibration diagram;

[0030] The nozzle to be calibrated is calibrated based on the nozzle calibration information.

[0031] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a nozzle calibration image acquisition device, the device comprising:

[0032] The image determination module is used to determine the initial nozzle calibration image required for nozzle calibration.

[0033] The dot pattern determination module is used to determine the dot pattern of ink dots corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots;

[0034] The acquisition module is used to acquire the printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern.

[0035] Fifthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a nozzle calibration image acquisition 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 methods of the first to third aspects of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0036] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage medium storing computer program instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of the first to third aspects of the above embodiments.

[0037] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0038] The printhead calibration image acquisition method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this invention determine an initial printhead calibration image required for printhead calibration; determine the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots; and acquire a printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern. This method, by combining the initial printhead calibration image with a suitable ink dot pattern to obtain the printhead calibration image before printhead calibration, ensures that the printed calibration image accurately reflects the printhead's printing state, thereby helping to quickly identify and correct printing deviations, making the printhead calibration process more efficient and accurate. Attached Figure Description

[0039] 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.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of the nozzle calibration image acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 2 This is the initial nozzle calibration image corresponding to the nozzle state calibration in this embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figure 3 This is the initial nozzle calibration image corresponding to the bidirectional nozzle calibration in this embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of ink dot patterns in a calibration image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of ink dot patterns in a calibration image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of ink dot patterns in a calibration image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of the calibration pattern printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of the nozzle calibration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle calibration image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nozzle calibration image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Example 1

[0053] This invention provides a method for acquiring printhead calibration images. This method is applied to an inkjet printer, including reciprocating scanners, Onepass inkjet printers, and Singlepass inkjet printers. Each inkjet printer includes at least one printhead and at least one ink output channel. Preferably, to achieve color image printing, the printhead of the inkjet printer typically includes four color channels (CMYK). The printhead calibration image is printed on the printing medium by driving the printhead or the printhead channel. See also... Figure 1 The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0054] S1: Determine the initial nozzle calibration image required for nozzle calibration;

[0055] S2: Determine the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots;

[0056] S3: Obtain the printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern.

[0057] Specifically, printhead calibration here often includes one or more of the following: step calibration, printhead spacing calibration, lateral spacing calibration, longitudinal spacing calibration, vertical calibration, bidirectional calibration, color registration calibration, and printhead status calibration. Step calibration calibrates the step offset of the printhead during reciprocating scanning printing. Printhead spacing calibration is a preliminary calibration of the distance between each printhead in the lateral and longitudinal directions; precise calibration is performed through lateral and longitudinal spacing calibrations. Vertical calibration is used to calibrate whether the printhead is perpendicular to the printing direction. Bidirectional calibration calibrates whether the printhead channels are in the same printing position during reciprocating scanning. Color registration calibration calibrates whether different color channels are in the same printing position during scanning. Printhead status calibration checks whether there are any abnormal conditions in the nozzles of the printhead, such as blockage or partial blockage. When performing printhead calibration, the corresponding calibration image needs to be set according to the type of calibration to be performed. For example, when performing printhead status calibration, the printhead needs to be controlled according to... Figure 2 The calibration image shown is used for inkjet printing, and then the printed image is used to determine which nozzle in the printhead is in an abnormal state.

[0058] Because existing calibration images are often pre-set, the ink dot pattern cannot be selected or limited when printing the calibration image. Therefore, the final printed calibration image may suffer from inconsistencies in the ink dot pattern used during ink output, affecting image quality and consequently the accuracy of printhead calibration. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, when obtaining the calibration image corresponding to printhead calibration, the initial printhead calibration image required for this type of printhead calibration is first determined. Then, based on the actual application, such as the type of printhead calibration being performed, the ink material, and the media material, the corresponding ink dot pattern is determined. In other embodiments, this can be determined by the printhead calibration operator or by the printing device automatically and intelligently. Finally, the final printhead calibration image to be printed is determined by combining this ink dot pattern. The ink dot patterns here include large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots. Mixed dots can be any combination of two or more ink dot patterns, such as small dot + medium dot, small dot + large dot, medium dot + large dot, or small dot + medium + large dot.

[0059] When sending the calibration image to the printing device for printing, the printhead can be controlled to eject different ink droplet patterns by adjusting the drive waveform. Taking 2-bit halftone as an example, the ink droplets include three different types: large, medium, and small (hereinafter referred to as large, medium, and small dots). The ink output of the nozzle corresponding to the small dot is small (e.g., 25%), the ink output of the nozzle corresponding to the medium dot is medium (e.g., 50%), and the ink output of the nozzle corresponding to the large dot is large (e.g., 100%). For example, the ink output of the large dot is set to 10PL, the ink output of the medium dot to 7PL, and the ink output of the small dot to 5PL. The ink output corresponding to the dot type can be set according to the actual situation. The above 10PL, 7PL, and 5PL are just examples, and other values ​​may be used in practice. Different printhead calibration images can be selected for different dot types, such as large dots, medium dots, or small dots, or a mixture of two or three of these types. The printing equipment selects different drive waveforms to drive the printhead to eject ink dots for printing based on the ink dot type corresponding to the printhead calibration image, making the ink droplet landing point more accurate and the image details more accurate, thus improving the accuracy of calibration.

[0060] Before performing nozzle calibration, it is necessary to determine the initial nozzle calibration image required for the calibration. For example, when calibrating the nozzle status, the initial nozzle calibration image is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, by controlling each nozzle in the printhead to eject ink and print a line segment, the system determines which nozzles are malfunctioning based on which line segment in the printed image exhibits printing abnormalities, such as ink interruption or failure to print. During bidirectional calibration, the initial printhead calibration image is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, by controlling the printhead to scan and print a portion of the initial calibration image along the main scanning direction, and then scanning and printing a portion of the image in the reverse direction, the overlap of the two portions of the image is judged to determine whether the printing position is consistent when the printhead prints bidirectionally.

[0061] In one embodiment, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0062] Obtain the first external input information;

[0063] The ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image is determined based on the first external input information.

[0064] Specifically, the ink dot pattern can be determined by the user or nozzle calibration operator based on the actual situation. In this embodiment, a preset tool is used, such as... Figures 4 to 6The image template editing tool shown determines the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image through a user-defined interface using external input information. For example, in the tool's drop-down window for ink dot pattern selection, the menu includes large, medium, small, and mixed dot patterns. Users can select the appropriate dot pattern based on actual conditions such as printhead model, printhead channel arrangement, and printhead precision. The parameter information of this ink dot pattern is recorded in the initial printhead calibration image. The completed printhead calibration image to be printed includes the parameter information of the ink dot pattern used during printing. After reading this information, the print control software will call the corresponding drive waveform to drive the printhead and perform inkjet printing of the printhead calibration image. In another embodiment, the print control software can also be configured with a corresponding human-machine interface to allow users to customize the ink dot pattern for printing and call the corresponding drive waveform to drive the printhead and perform inkjet printing of the printhead calibration image based on the ink dot pattern set in the print control software.

[0065] In one embodiment, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0066] The printhead to be calibrated is controlled to print the initial printhead calibration image to obtain the first test calibration image;

[0067] The image acquisition device is controlled to acquire the first test calibration image to obtain the acquired calibration image;

[0068] The acquired calibration images are subjected to image analysis and processing, and the analysis and processing results are obtained.

[0069] Based on the analysis and processing results, and one or more of the following: printhead model, printhead accuracy, ink type, and media material, determine the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image.

[0070] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image is determined by testing the calibration result during printhead calibration using the initial printhead calibration image. First, the printhead to be calibrated or to be calibrated prints the initial printhead calibration image onto the medium to obtain a first test calibration image. Then, an image acquisition device, such as a high-resolution camera, camera, or scanner, acquires the first test calibration image and obtains an acquired calibration image. Subsequently, image analysis processing is performed on the acquired calibration image to obtain the analysis results. Image analysis processing can utilize computer vision technology to identify and analyze features such as the position, size, and shape of ink dots in the image. Preferably, an ideal print calibration image is simulated after identifying and analyzing the acquired calibration image. By comparing it with the ideal print calibration image, deviations and inconsistencies in the image are identified. For example, image processing algorithms, pattern recognition technology, and statistical analysis methods are used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the analysis results. Based on the analysis results, combined with one or more factors such as printhead model, printhead precision, ink type, and medium material, the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image is finally determined. The printhead model and precision determine the minimum physically achievable ink droplet size and resolution, while the ink type affects its flowability and diffusion on the media. Media material has varying effects on ink absorption and diffusion; for example, smooth media may require smaller ink droplets to avoid over-diffusion, while porous media may require larger droplets to ensure sufficient coloration. Therefore, during calibration, the ink droplet pattern needs to be adjusted according to the media's characteristics to ensure print sharpness and accuracy. By comprehensively considering these factors and adjusting the ink droplet pattern, the printing effect of the calibration image can be optimized, improving calibration accuracy.

[0071] In one embodiment, determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image includes:

[0072] S51: Control the printhead to be calibrated to print the initial printhead calibration image according to the preset ink dot pattern to obtain the second test calibration image;

[0073] S52: After pre-calibrating the nozzle according to the second test calibration image, control the nozzle to print the second initial nozzle calibration image to obtain the third test calibration image;

[0074] S53: Determine whether the third test calibration image meets the preset requirements;

[0075] S54: If not, repeat steps S51 to S53 until the obtained third test calibration image meets the preset requirements and the preset ink dot pattern is determined as the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image.

[0076] Specifically, firstly, in step S51, the printhead to be calibrated is controlled to print an initial printhead calibration image according to a preset dot pattern to generate a second test calibration image. The printhead is tested using a specific dot pattern to obtain its printing effect under the current settings. This method allows for a preliminary evaluation of the calibration image printing effect based on the preset dot pattern, providing basic data for subsequent printhead calibration. Next, in step S52, the printhead is pre-calibrated according to the second test calibration image. After pre-calibration, the printhead is controlled to print the second initial printhead calibration image again to obtain a third test calibration image. Step S53 is the evaluation stage for the third test calibration image. If the preset dot pattern is suitable for the initial printhead calibration image, the printed third test calibration image will meet the preset requirements; for example, the two vertical lines above the "0" mark in the bidirectional calibration image will be perfectly aligned. If the third test calibration image meets these preset requirements, it indicates that the printhead calibration has achieved the expected accuracy and quality. If the result in step S53 is negative, i.e., the third test calibration image does not meet the preset standard, then step S54 needs to be executed. This step requires repeating steps S51 to S53, iterating multiple times to gradually optimize the preset ink dot pattern until the obtained third test calibration image meets the preset requirements. During this process, the preset ink dot pattern is continuously verified and adjusted, ultimately determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image. Through multiple iterations, deviations in the calibration image under different ink dots can be accurately identified and corrected, thereby obtaining the most suitable ink dot pattern, ensuring the accuracy of the calibration image printing results, and thus improving the accuracy of printhead calibration.

[0077] In summary, the printhead calibration image acquisition method provided by this invention involves: determining an initial printhead calibration image required for printhead calibration; determining the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots; and acquiring a printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern. This method, by combining the initial printhead calibration image with a suitable ink dot pattern to obtain the printhead calibration image before performing printhead calibration, ensures that the printed calibration image accurately reflects the printhead's printing state, thereby helping to quickly identify and correct printing deviations, making the calibration process more efficient and accurate.

[0078] Example 2

[0079] Please see Figure 7 Based on the above embodiment one, embodiment two of the present invention provides a method for printing calibration diagrams, the method comprising:

[0080] S71: Obtain the printhead calibration image as described in Example 1;

[0081] S72: Obtain the ink dot pattern corresponding to the printhead calibration image to be printed;

[0082] S73: Based on the ink dot pattern, use the corresponding driving waveform to drive the printhead to be calibrated to inkjet print the printhead calibration image to obtain a print calibration image.

[0083] Specifically, according to Example 1, the printhead calibration image to be printed contains parameter information of its corresponding ink dot pattern. Different sizes and types of ink dots (such as large, medium, small, and mixed dots) result in different print detail and quality. By selecting a suitable ink dot pattern, the printing effect of the calibration image can be optimized, ensuring the accuracy of printhead calibration. The drive waveform is a voltage signal tailored to the characteristics of the printhead. It controls the pressure, speed, and time when the printhead ejects ink dots during the inkjet process. To eject different types or dot patterns of ink dots, the voltage signal applied to the printhead, i.e., the drive waveform, will be different. Therefore, based on the ink dot pattern information in the printhead calibration image to be printed, a matching drive waveform is invoked to drive the printhead to eject ink dots for image printing, ultimately obtaining the printed calibration image. Because printing is based on a suitable ink dot pattern, this printed calibration image can more accurately reflect the printhead printing status, helping to quickly identify and correct printing deviations, making the printhead calibration process more efficient and accurate.

[0084] Example 3

[0085] Please see Figure 8 Based on the above embodiments one and two, this embodiment of the invention provides a nozzle calibration method, the method comprising:

[0086] S81: Obtain the printed calibration diagram as described in Example 2;

[0087] S82: Obtain the calibration information of the printhead to be calibrated based on the printed calibration diagram;

[0088] S83: Calibrate the nozzle to be calibrated according to the nozzle calibration information.

[0089] Specifically, after controlling the printhead to print the calibration image onto the media, a calibration map is obtained. This calibration map reflects the printhead's printing status. For example, in bidirectional calibration, controlling the printhead to be calibrated to print... Figure 3As shown in the image, if there is a deviation in the printing position when the printhead prints along the main scanning direction and along the negative scanning direction, the overlapping position of the two vertical lines in the bidirectional calibration detection graph will not be above the "0" mark, but will appear above other scale values. At this time, the printing deviation value during bidirectional printing can be obtained based on the scale value corresponding to the overlapping position of the two vertical lines. This printing deviation value can then be used to adjust parameters such as the printhead ink ejection time, thereby completing the bidirectional calibration of the printhead. Because printing is based on a suitable ink droplet pattern, this printing calibration graph can more accurately reflect the printhead printing status, thus enabling rapid identification and correction of printing deviations, making the printhead calibration process more efficient and accurate.

[0090] Example 4

[0091] Please see Figure 9 This invention provides a nozzle calibration image acquisition device 200, the device 200 comprising:

[0092] Image determination module 201 is used to determine the initial nozzle calibration image required for nozzle calibration.

[0093] The dot pattern determination module 202 is used to determine the dot pattern of ink dots corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the dot pattern of ink dots includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots;

[0094] The acquisition module 203 is used to acquire the printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern.

[0095] In summary, the printhead calibration image acquisition device provided in this embodiment of the invention determines the initial printhead calibration image required for printhead calibration; determines the ink dot pattern corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the ink dot pattern includes any one of large dots, medium dots, small dots, and mixed dots; and acquires the printhead calibration image to be printed based on the initial printhead calibration image and the ink dot pattern. This method, by combining the initial printhead calibration image with a suitable ink dot pattern to obtain the printhead calibration image before performing printhead calibration, ensures that the printed calibration image accurately reflects the printhead's printing status, helps to quickly identify and correct printing deviations, and makes the calibration process more efficient and accurate.

[0096] Example 5

[0097] In addition, the nozzle calibration image acquisition method of this embodiment of the invention can be implemented by a nozzle calibration image acquisition device. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the nozzle calibration image acquisition device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0098] The nozzle calibration image acquisition device may include a processor 301 and a memory 302 storing computer program instructions.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The processor 301 reads and executes computer program instructions stored in the memory 302 to implement any of the nozzle calibration image acquisition methods in the above embodiments.

[0102] In one example, the nozzle calibration image acquisition device may further include a communication interface 303 and a bus 310. For example, Figure 10 As shown, the processor 301, memory 302, and communication interface 303 are connected through bus 310 and complete communication with each other.

[0103] 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.

[0104] Bus 310 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of a nozzle calibration image acquisition device together. For example, and not as a limitation, 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.

[0105] Example 6

[0106] Furthermore, in conjunction with the nozzle calibration image acquisition 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 nozzle calibration image acquisition methods in the above embodiments.

[0107] In summary, the nozzle calibration image acquisition method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present invention...

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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 acquiring nozzle calibration images, characterized in that, The method comprises: determining an initial printhead calibration image required when performing printhead calibration; determining a dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the dot type comprises any one of a large dot, a medium dot, a small dot and a mixed dot; acquiring a to-be-printed printhead calibration image according to the initial printhead calibration image and the dot type.

2. The showerhead calibration image acquisition method of claim 1, wherein, The printhead calibration comprises any one or more of step calibration, printhead spacing calibration, lateral spacing calibration, longitudinal spacing calibration, vertical calibration, bidirectional calibration, color registration calibration and printhead state calibration.

3. The showerhead calibration image acquisition method of any of claims 1-2, wherein, The determination of the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image comprises: acquiring first external input information; determining the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image according to the first external input information.

4. The showerhead calibration image acquisition method of any of claims 1-2, wherein, The determination of the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image comprises: controlling a to-be-calibrated printhead to print the initial printhead calibration image to obtain a first test calibration image; controlling an image acquisition device to acquire the first test calibration image to obtain an acquired calibration image; performing image analysis processing on the acquired calibration image and acquiring an analysis processing result; determining the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image according to the analysis processing result and one or more of a printhead model, a printhead precision, an ink type and a medium material.

5. The method of claim 1-2, wherein, The determination of the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image comprises: S51: controlling a to-be-calibrated printhead to print the initial printhead calibration image according to a preset dot type to obtain a second test calibration image; S52: after pre-calibration of the printhead according to the second test calibration image, controlling the printhead to print the second initial printhead calibration image according to the preset dot type to obtain a third test calibration image; S53: determining whether the third test calibration image meets a preset requirement; S54: if not, repeating steps S51 to S53 until the third test calibration image meets the preset requirement, and determining the preset dot type as the dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image.

6. A print calibration chart printing method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: acquiring a to-be-printed printhead calibration image according to any one of claims 1-5; acquiring a dot type corresponding to the to-be-printed printhead calibration image; driving a to-be-calibrated printhead to print the to-be-printed printhead calibration image according to a corresponding drive waveform to obtain a printed calibration image.

7. A method of calibrating a showerhead, the method comprising: The method comprises: acquiring a printed calibration image according to claim 6; acquiring calibration information of a to-be-calibrated printhead according to the printed calibration image; calibrating the to-be-calibrated printhead according to the printhead calibration information.

8. A nozzle calibration image acquisition device, characterized by, The device comprises: an image determination module configured to determine an initial printhead calibration image required when performing printhead calibration; a dot type determination module configured to determine a dot type corresponding to the initial printhead calibration image, wherein the dot type comprises any one of a large dot, a medium dot, a small dot and a mixed dot; an acquisition module configured to acquire a to-be-printed printhead calibration image according to the initial printhead calibration image and the dot type.

9. A showerhead calibration image acquisition apparatus, comprising: The device comprises: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-8.

10. A storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions, characterized in that, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-7.

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