Alternating Concentration Patches for Nozzle Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording devices face challenges in accurately calculating correction values for ink concentration unevenness due to paper wrinkles and nozzle ejection property variations, which affects the quality of correction patterns printed on highly ink-receptive media.
Innovation Solution
A correction value setting method that records a test pattern with alternating first and second patches of varying concentrations on a recording medium, allowing for accurate reading and calculation of ink amount correction values for each nozzle, thereby reducing paper wrinkles and improving reading accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a correction test pattern with sequentially increased and decreased ink amount is recorded on highly ink-receptive recording medium, then concentration unevenness of nozzles can be measured, but paper wrinkles are generated in highly-concentrated regions causing incorrect reading
Solution Approach 1:
The test pattern is segmented into multiple patches with different concentration ranges (first concentration range and second concentration range). By dividing the continuous ink amount variation into discrete concentration levels, the pattern avoids excessive ink concentration that causes paper wrinkles while still providing sufficient data points for accurate nozzle concentration measurement and correction value calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink amount parameter is changed across different patches to create varying concentration levels. By systematically adjusting the ink amount parameter within controlled concentration ranges and arranging patches with different concentrations in an alternating pattern, the system achieves accurate measurement without exceeding the paper's ink-receptive capacity that would cause wrinkling.
2Measurement precision
If high concentration patches are used to ensure sufficient signal for reading, then measurement sensitivity improves, but paper wrinkles increase causing reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The test pattern divides concentration levels into multiple discrete patches rather than using a single high-concentration region. This segmentation allows the system to use multiple lower-concentration patches that collectively provide sufficient signal for measurement while avoiding the paper wrinkling that occurs with excessive ink concentration in any single region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different patches are assigned different concentration levels appropriate to their local measurement needs. By varying the ink concentration locally across different patches rather than using uniform high concentration throughout, the system maintains sufficient detection sensitivity in each patch while preventing paper wrinkles that would compromise reading accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A correction value setting method includes a recording step of recording on a recording medium a test pattern including a plurality of patches by a plurality of nozzles arrayed in a first direction, a reading step of reading a concentration value of the test pattern recorded on the recording medium, a calculating step of calculating a correction value of an ink amount for each of the plurality of nozzles, based on the concentration value, and a setting step of setting the correction value as a correction value that is used for real recording. The plurality of patches include a plurality of first patches in a first concentration range and a plurality of second patches in a second concentration range including concentration higher than that in the first concentration range, and the plurality of first patches and the plurality of second patches are arranged alternately in a second direction intersecting the first direction.