Blank Skip Detection Control in Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with ink jet recording heads experience delays in printing time due to the need to detect blank bands in image data, which increases overall printing time, especially when no blank bands are present.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus divides image data into regions in the sub-scanning direction, includes a detection unit to identify blank data, a storage unit to store detected data, and a control unit that determines whether to perform detection based on a specific printing mode, allowing for the blank skip function to be toggled on or off depending on the mode, thereby reducing unnecessary detection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the detection unit always performs blank detection in the engine control unit, then blank skip function can be executed when blank bands exist, but printing time increases due to detection delay when no blank bands are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blank detection function adjustable based on printing mode. The control unit switches between performing blank detection (in printer mode where blank skips are beneficial) and not performing blank detection (in copy mode where detection would only add delay). This dynamic adjustment optimizes printing speed for different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the detection unit based on printing mode. In copy mode, the detection unit is disabled to eliminate detection time overhead. In printer mode, the detection unit is enabled to allow blank skip optimization. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting detection behavior to specific usage scenarios.
2Productivity
If the blank skip function is provided in the engine control unit, then blank skip can be executed based on detection results, but printing time increases due to the delay of detecting whether there is a blank band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the engine control unit universally applicable to different printing modes (copy mode and printer mode) by enabling it to dynamically adjust its behavior. The same control unit handles both modes by switching the blank detection function on or off, avoiding the need for separate control systems for each mode while maintaining optimal performance in both scenarios.
3Productivity
If blank detection is performed in all printing modes, then blank skip optimization is available whenever possible, but unnecessary detection time is consumed in modes like copy mode where blank bands are unlikely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the printing mode before executing the blank detection process. The control unit预先判断 whether to enable or disable the detection unit based on the selected mode, preventing unnecessary detection operations from being performed in the first place. This avoids wasting processing time on detection that would not yield benefits in copy mode.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus divides image data into a plurality of image regions in a sub-scanning direction and performs predetermined processing on the image data of each divided image region so as to form an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects whether the image data of the image region is blank data; a storage unit that stores the image data of the image region that has been subjected to detection; and a control unit that controls whether to cause the detection unit to perform the detection depending on a predetermined printing mode.