Dither Pattern Block Connectivity for Ink Distribution Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low-gradation printing, prior art dither patterns result in isolated ink and pitch blotches due to significant spacing between adjacent blocks, leading to faint or uneven ink distribution.
Innovation Solution
A color image processing device using a dither pattern where each pixel block is composed of multiple dots arranged in rows, with the first dot of each row offset from the adjacent row, forming a step pattern to ensure connectivity between blocks, even in low-gradation printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dots are arranged in conventional dither patterns with blocks spaced apart, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ink distribution becomes isolated and faint in low-gradation printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each pixel into multiple blocks, and each block into multiple dots arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows independent control of ink distribution while ensuring connectivity between adjacent blocks through strategically positioned dots, resolving the isolation issue in low-gradation printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric dot arrangements within blocks and offset patterns between adjacent blocks. The dots are not uniformly distributed but positioned asymmetrically to ensure connectivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. This asymmetric arrangement prevents ink isolation without requiring complex additional structures
2Ease of manufacture
If blocks are spaced far apart in dither patterns, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but pitch blotches occur due to isolated ink in low-gradation printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-arranges dots within each block and establishes offset patterns between blocks before the actual printing process. This preliminary structuring ensures that even when blocks are spaced apart for manufacturing ease, the dot positions are pre-configured to prevent ink isolation and pitch blotches during low-gradation printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses strategically positioned dots as intermediary elements between adjacent blocks. These intermediate dots act as connectors that bridge the gap between blocks, preventing pitch blotches while allowing blocks to remain spaced apart for manufacturing simplicity
3Device complexity
If dot spacing between blocks is large, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal transfer efficiency decreases due to isolated ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by arranging dots with specific densities and patterns within each block and at block boundaries. This local structuring ensures efficient thermal transfer in critical areas (where dots connect blocks) while maintaining overall pattern simplicity, thus improving thermal transfer efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the spacing issue by introducing dimensional considerations in dot placement within blocks and between blocks. By carefully controlling the spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions, the patent ensures connectivity and thermal transfer efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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
This solution ensures stable ink distribution and prevents pitch blotches by shortening the distance between block dots, maintaining image quality even at low gradations, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electric current selectively to a plurality of heating elements of the thermal head
Implementation Method 2
transferring the ink dots to the paper
Implementation Method 3
changing the diameter of resin-based ink dots
Data Source
AI summary
A color image processing device uses a dither pattern of blocks, each including a plurality of dots representing the gradations of each pixel of an image in a prescribed region. The dither pattern includes a plurality of dot groups stacked, each dot group including dots arranged in a direction where a printing element moves relative to a recording medium, and the beginning of each group is set off by one or more dots in the movement direction, and a halftone image including the pixels is recorded, using variations in density, with the growth order going either from the first dot of the uppermost row of the dither pattern to the last dot of the lowermost row, or from the first dot of the lowermost row to the last dot of the uppermost row.