Procedure for improving the quality of an inkjet printed image

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for increasing the quality of an image printed on a digital printer, which is printed on a web of material by the inkjet printing process. The digital printer comprises: a print head with inkjet nozzles; an image capture unit for capturing at least a portion of the printed image; and a control unit for controlling the print head.To maintain consistent print quality throughout the printing process, the proposed solution is based on a method where: a test mark is printed along with at least a portion of the final image; the target image data for the test mark is stored in the control unit; and the image capture unit captures the actual image data of the test mark, compares it to the target image data stored in the control unit, and saves it as target-actual image comparison data. Based on this comparison data, printhead misalignment is detected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for improving the quality of a printed image from a digital printing press, which is printed onto a web of material using inkjet printing. The digital printing press comprises a printhead with inkjet nozzles, an image capture unit for capturing at least part of the printed image, and a control unit for controlling the printhead. The invention also relates to a digital printing press for carrying out such a method. In inkjet printing on a moving web of material, the print lengths typically vary between 10 meters and several thousand meters. Particularly at the longer print lengths, the problem arises that the quality of the printed image no longer corresponds to the quality at the beginning of the print job, because external parameters (such as temperature, ink viscosity, etc.) vary during the course of the print job.In particular, the following three factors have a negative impact on the quality of the printed image: . Changes in color positions and dot gain (DP), clogging of individual inkjet nozzles, misalignment of printheads

[0002] DE 10 2011 015 603 B3 discloses in this context the printing of a test pattern in a test strip at the edge of the printing paper. Against this background, the object of the invention is to maintain the quality of the printed image constant throughout the entire printing length during the printing job.

[0003] This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and a digital printing machine according to claim 4.

[0004] The invention makes it possible to easily detect and correct the above-mentioned changes in the printed image.

[0005] The solution according to the invention is based on a method in which, at least in part of the printed images, a test mark is printed together with the printed image, in which target image data of the test mark are stored in the control unit, in which actual image data of the test mark are captured by the image acquisition unit and compared with the target image data in the control unit and stored as target-actual comparison image data, wherein a misalignment of the print head is detected depending on the target-actual comparison image data.

[0006] In a further step, the misaligned printhead is then realigned.

[0007] Before listing the preferred embodiments, some technical terms will first be explained: Increase in tone value

[0008] The technical term dot gain (abbreviation: TWZ) describes the effect that halftone dots in the printing template (e.g., a digital image file or film) appear larger on the printed sheet due to the printing process, resulting in a darker printed image than intended in the template. More precisely, halftone dots are never transferred exactly the same way during any technical transmission; instead, they are deformed in some process-specific manner. This can result in distortions, enlargements, or reductions. Spectral sensor and spectral value function

[0009] Every person has three types of cones in their retina, which differ in their spectral sensitivity. To compensate for individual differences in human color perception, a "standard viewer" has been defined in various standards (especially ISO 12647 and DIN 5033). The standard color values ​​are calculated from the spectrum of the received light, the spectral reflectance of the color, and the standardized spectral value functions of the standard viewer. Using these calculated standard color values, the color measured with a spectral sensor can then be precisely described. CIELAB color model

[0010] The CIELAB color model describes a three-dimensional color space in which corresponding color differences, perceived by humans as equal, are also measurably approximately equal in distance. The significant feature of this color space is its device independence and the resulting objectivity. The three axes of the CIELAB color space are defined as follows: L = brightness axis a = red-green axis b = blue-yellow axis

[0011] The coordinates of the CIELAB color space are often also designated L*, a*, and b* to distinguish them from the Hunter coordinates Lab (introduced in 1948 by Richard Sewall Hunter). For the sake of simplicity, however, this description will omit the designations L*, a*, and b*; that is, the CIELAB color space will be consistently referred to as Lab.

[0012] The L-value always ranges between 0 and 100, where 0 represents absolute black and 100 represents absolute white. To ensure consistent color perception, a standard viewer and standard lighting conditions were defined.

[0013] The difference between two color points is expressed by the color difference ΔE. The color difference is calculated using the following formula: Δ E = Δ L 2 + Δ a 2 + Δ b 2

[0014] The values ​​ΔL, Δa, and Δb are the differences between the components of the two color points. Depending on the application, further developments of the above distance formula exist, for example, the color difference formulas known from the literature with the designations Δ E CMC , E 94 , Δ E 99 or Δ E00 . Within the scope of this description, the color difference ΔE is therefore understood to mean any color difference that has been calculated according to a specific color difference formula, whereby the person skilled in the art is able to select the appropriate color difference formula for the respective application. Test chart

[0015] A test chart (equivalent term: test pattern) as defined in this description is a pattern printed separately from the printed image, whose properties are optimized for carrying out specific tests.

[0016] For example, a test chart can be used for ICC color calibration. In this case, the test chart consists of a limited number of color patches whose composition of the process colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is known. Another example of using a test chart is for troubleshooting defective inkjet nozzles. In this case, the test chart is designed so that defective inkjet nozzles can be detected easily and unambiguously. A further example of using a test chart is for detecting misaligned printheads. Test mark

[0017] A spit bar (equivalent terms are "calibration field" or "spit bar") as described here is, unlike a test chart, a pattern superimposed on the printed image. Several variations are possible: Firstly, suitable raster printing methods allow the spit bar to be printed directly within the image. In this case, the spit bar is generally not visible to the naked eye, while digital image capture systems enable its detection and further processing. Alternatively, the spit bar can consist of yellow microdots, which are easily detectable by a camera under UV light. Such yellow microdots are also used for color printer marking as a so-called Machine Identification Code (MIC).

[0018] Alternatively, the test mark may be positioned between two printed sections in the direction of printing. These printed sections may have a repeating print content or vary in their print content.

[0019] According to the invention, the test mark is superimposed on the printed image.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the image acquisition unit is a high-resolution camera that can also detect individual microdots.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the control unit is provided to perform a correction of the misaligned printheads.

[0022] Further details and advantages of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1 a simplified block diagram of a digital printing machine with an inkjet printhead for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a digital printing press with an inkjet printhead for carrying out the method according to the invention. The core of the digital printing press is the inkjet printhead 101, which comprises several inkjet nozzles 106 with which individual ink droplets 102 are generated from the printing ink and transferred onto the moving material web 103.

[0024] The control information required to operate the inkjet printhead 101 is calculated by the control unit 104 and transmitted to the inkjet printhead 101. The control unit 104, in turn, obtains its information about the image to be printed from the digital print image, which is stored in the control unit 104 in the form of digital target halftone dots and digital target color information. This rasterized print image was generated from a standard digital image format (e.g., RGB 24-bit, TIFF, or PDF) before the start of the print job as part of the so-called Raster Image Processing (RIP).

[0025] Above the fully printed image is an image capture unit 105, which consists of a camera.

[0026] Based on the error sources mentioned in the introduction, the following three corrective measures can now be implemented individually or in combination: Color space correction, error correction of defective inkjet nozzles, alignment of misaligned printheads

[0027] The three measures are explained in more detail below: Color space correction

[0028] At the beginning and / or during a print job, a test chart is printed, the first image data of which is captured by the image acquisition unit 105 and transferred to the control unit 104, whereby, depending on the first image data, an error correction of defective inkjet nozzles 106 and / or alignment of the misaligned printhead 101 is carried out.

[0029] After completion of the error correction and / or alignment, a target print image is then printed, the target image data of which is captured by the image acquisition unit 105, transferred to the control unit and stored there.

[0030] Following the printing of the target print image, further actual print images are printed. The image data of these actual images is captured by the image acquisition unit 105 and compared with the target image data in the control unit 104. Depending on the comparison result, a color space correction is performed. The comparison result corresponds to the Delta color information (ΔE) in the Lab color space. Depending on ΔE, the control information of the control unit 104 is corrected so that the ΔE is reduced. This occurs in a control loop with correction of the control information in the control unit 104, in the raster data by image manipulation, or in pre-separated Contone data by gradation curves.

[0031] The following are two examples with numerical values: Example 1

[0032] skin tone Cyan magenta Yellow Black Orange Green Violet Lab 84 / 12 / 22 7c 6,3 22,4 32,2 0 9,8 0 0 measurement Lab 80 / 12 / 22 7c 12,2 28,6 37,6 0 9,8 0 0 delta +5,9 +6,2 +5,4 0 0 0 0

[0033] Example 1 shows that a measured change in brightness L from 84 to 80 (ΔE of 4) only affects the chromatic colors cyan, magenta, and yellow in this case. This can be corrected by adjusting the gradation curves in the cyan, magenta, and yellow channels of the pre-separated color data. Then, only the color separations that have changed are rescreened. In this example, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Example 2

[0034] Grey tone Cyan magenta Yellow Black Orange Green Violet Lab 37 / 3 / 3 7c 46,3 47,5 46,3 46,3 4,3 0 0 measurement Lab 30 / 3 / 3 7c 47,8 47,8 47,8 57,6 4,7 0,8 0 delta 1,5 0,3 1,5 11,3 0,4 0,8 0

[0035] In example 2, the brightness L decreased from 37 to 30 (ΔE of 7), resulting in changes to 6 colors in the 7c color space. For a quality requirement of, for example, ΔE less than 2.5, it is sufficient to adjust the gradation curve for the black hue. To prevent changes to the gradation curves from leading to incorrect corrections of other color points, a minimum number of the motif colors to be monitored must be considered simultaneously and therefore always assessed and corrected concurrently. Error correction of defective inkjet nozzles

[0036] At the beginning and / or during a print job, a test chart is printed, the first image data of which is captured by the image acquisition unit 105 and transferred to the control unit 104, whereby, depending on the first image data, an error correction of defective inkjet nozzles 106 and / or alignment of the misaligned printhead 101 is carried out.

[0037] After the error correction is complete, a target print image is printed, the target image data of which is captured by the image acquisition unit 105, transferred to the control unit 104 and stored there.

[0038] Following the printing of the target print image, further actual print images are printed. The image data of these actual images is captured by the image acquisition unit 105 and compared with the target image data in the control unit 104. Depending on the comparison result, error correction is performed for defective inkjet nozzles 106. In this process, the defective inkjet nozzles are deactivated, and adjacent inkjet nozzles take over and print the print area of ​​the deactivated inkjet nozzle (so-called software-based inkjet nozzle overlap). Alignment of misaligned printheads

[0039] During the print job, a test mark is printed along with the image for at least some of the print jobs. This test mark is stored digitally in control unit 104 and represents the target image data. Immediately after the test mark is printed, its actual image data is captured by image acquisition unit 105 and compared with the target image data in control unit 104. This comparison is then stored as target / actual comparison image data, and misaligned printheads are detected based on this comparison. In the next step, the control unit then corrects the misaligned printheads.

Claims

1. Method for improving the quality of a printed image produced by a digital printer, which is printed onto a material web using an inkjet printing process, wherein the digital printer comprises a print head with inkjet nozzles, an image capture unit designed as a camera for capturing at least a part of the printed image and a controller for controlling the print head, in which a test mark is printed together with the printed image at least for some of the printed images, wherein the test mark is superimposed on the printed image, in which the test mark is printed, using a raster scan, directly within the printed image such that the test mark is indistinguishable to the naked eye, whereas digital image acquisition systems facilitate recognition and processing or wherein the test mark consists of yellow microdots, which are easily detectable by the camera under UV light, in which target image data for the test mark is stored in the controller, in which actual image data for the test mark is captured by the image capture unit designed as a camera and compared with the target image data in the controller and stored as target-actual comparison image data, wherein a maladjustment of the print head is detected as a function of the target-actual comparison image data.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the image capture unit is a high-resolution camera.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the controller performs a correction of the maladjusted print head.

4. Digital printer, with a print head with inkjet nozzles for printing a printed image and a test mark according to claim 1, which is superimposed on the printed image, on a material web using an inkjet printing process, with an image capture unit designed as a camera for capturing at least a part of the printed image and the test mark, and with a controller for controlling the print head according to a method of claims 1-3.

Images