Clear Ink Drop Mass Calibration via Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing technologies face challenges in calibrating clear ink drop mass, particularly as previous methods rely on reflectance measurements that are not applicable to clear ink, leading to potential color contamination and resource-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A clear ink drop mass calibration system that utilizes intrinsic fluorescence in print media, where clear ink test patches are printed on fluorescent media and detected using a fluorescence sensor, allowing for automatic calibration without colored inks or extensive resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reflectance measurements are used to calibrate ink drop mass, then calibration can be performed, but the method is not applicable to clear ink and requires colored inks leading to color contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorescent print media as an intermediary substance that enables measurement of clear ink drop mass without using colored inks. The fluorescent media provides a detectable signal that is modulated by the clear ink deposits, allowing precise measurement while avoiding color contamination of the clear ink cartridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescence (a form of light emission/color change) of the print media as the detection mechanism. By exciting the fluorescent media and measuring its emitted light, the system can detect clear ink deposits without requiring the ink itself to have color, thus avoiding the need for colored inks and preventing color contamination.
2Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods using printed sheets and weight measurements are used, then average drop mass can be determined, but the process requires huge amounts of resources including time, transparencies, and ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weighing process with an optical/fluorescent detection system. Instead of printing large numbers of test sheets and physically weighing them to determine average drop mass, the system uses fluorescent media and light detection to rapidly and automatically measure drop mass, eliminating the need for extensive materials and time-consuming manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is made automatic and self-service through the fluorescent detection system. The system automatically prints test patterns on fluorescent media, detects the fluorescence modulation caused by clear ink deposits, calculates drop mass, and adjusts printhead voltages without requiring manual intervention, extensive transparencies, or time-consuming iterative processes.
3Reliability
If reflectance-based normalization processes are used for clear ink, then ink jets can be calibrated, but colored inks must be used first and then cleaned creating complex processes
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorescent print media serves as an intermediary that enables direct calibration of clear ink without requiring colored ink to be used first. The fluorescent signal provides the necessary detection capability for clear ink, eliminating the need for complex multi-step processes involving colored ink deposition and subsequent cleaning.
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
Enables precise and efficient calibration of clear ink drop mass, improving image quality by ensuring consistent drop mass without the need for colored inks or extensive resources, reducing the risk of color contamination.
Implementation Method 1
One of the print media and the substantially clear ink has a fluorescent characteristic and the other of the print media and the substantially clear ink is substantially non-fluorescent. The imaging device includes a fluorescence sensor having (i) a light emitter for illuminating the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media by the plurality of ink jets with light of an activating wavelength, and (ii) a light detector for detecting a fluorescence intensity of light received from the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media in an emission wavelength.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a plurality of ink jets that eject drops of substantially clear ink onto print media. One of the print media and the substantially clear ink has a fluorescent characteristic and the other of the print media and the substantially clear ink is substantially non-fluorescent. The imaging device includes a fluorescence sensor that illuminates the print media and detects a fluorescence intensity of light received from the print media alone and from the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media. A controller modifies an operating parameter of the imaging device with reference to ink drop masses identified with reference to the detected fluorescent intensities.