Barcode Printing Pass Control for Resonance-Stable Inkjet Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face ejection stability issues due to resonance phenomena when printing barcodes with multiple bars arranged side-by-side in the scanning direction, leading to inaccurate ink droplet placement and barcode reading failures.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that determines the number of scanning passes and scanning directions based on the presence of barcodes in the image data, employing multi-pass printing for barcodes and one-pass printing for other data to stabilize ink ejection and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If one-pass printing is used for barcode data with multiple bars arranged side-by-side in the scanning direction, then productivity is improved, but ejection stability deteriorates due to resonance phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the printing strategy based on the detected barcode pattern. When periodic patterns are detected that could cause resonance, the system switches from one-pass to multi-pass printing, making the printing approach adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed one-pass printing for non-critical areas while using slower multi-pass printing only where resonance would occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing parameters (number of passes) based on the detected image content. By analyzing the barcode structure and identifying periodic patterns, the system modifies the printing process parameters to avoid resonance frequencies, thereby maintaining ejection stability while preserving overall productivity through selective application of the multi-pass method.
2Reliability
If multi-pass printing is used for all data, then ejection stability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different printing qualities to different regions of the print data. Instead of uniformly applying multi-pass printing to all content, the system performs image analysis to identify specific barcode regions with periodic patterns and applies multi-pass printing only to those localized areas. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high ejection stability where needed while preserving overall printing speed through selective application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by applying the more reliable but slower multi-pass printing method only to the extent necessary - specifically to barcode regions with periodic patterns that could cause resonance. Non-critical regions are printed using faster one-pass printing, thus achieving sufficient ejection stability without the excessive time cost of applying multi-pass printing universally.
3Productivity
If one-pass printing is used for barcode data, then productivity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to resonance-induced vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects the appropriate printing method based on real-time analysis of the barcode structure. By detecting periodic patterns that would cause resonance and subsequent dot formation errors, the system adaptively switches to multi-pass printing for those specific barcodes, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision without sacrificing overall productivity through universal use of the slower method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing process parameters (number of passes) based on the detected barcode characteristics. When periodic patterns are identified that would compromise dot formation accuracy through resonance, the system modifies the printing parameters to use multiple passes, thereby ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained for critical elements while preserving productivity through selective parameter adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances barcode printing accuracy by reducing resonance-induced instability, maintaining throughput, and ensuring reliable barcode reading.
Implementation Method 1
the ink is ejected onto the pixel multiple times to increase the dot area so that the barcode can have a certain line width
Implementation Method 2
In a case where the frequency of the liquid surface vibration and the frequency of the characteristic vibration match each other, a resonance phenomenon occurs, which amplifies the liquid surface vibration and thereby decreases the ejection stability
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit to obtain image data, a judgment unit to judge whether a barcode is included in the image data for each piece of band data corresponding to a printable region by scanning a printing unit, the barcode formed of a region in which bars are arranged side-by-side in a direction in which the printing unit scans over a printing medium, the judgment unit judging whether to use only a black printing element in the scanning for printing the band data. A determination unit determines the number of times to perform scanning for completing printing the piece of band data judged as not including the barcode is a first number, and that the number of times to perform scanning for completing printing the piece of band data judged as including the barcode by the judgment unit is a second number greater than the first.


