Dot Recording Apparatus Asymmetric Supercell Arrangement Cockling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dot recording techniques suffer from image quality deterioration due to cockling, particularly in central and end portions of the recording medium, leading to boundary spotting and color spotting issues.
Innovation Solution
A dot recording apparatus and method that adjusts the number and arrangement of dots in the main scanning direction, using larger dots in end portions and smaller dots in central portions, and varying the ratio of dots recorded in each pass to minimize cockling effects, with non-parallel boundary lines and dispersed dot formations to suppress boundary spotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dot groups are formed using rectangular shapes with boundary lines parallel to main and sub-scanning directions, then it is easier to suppress color spotting, but image quality deteriorates due to cockling influence causing boundary spotting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring boundary lines of dot groups to be non-parallel to either the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the formation of continuous parallel boundary lines that are susceptible to cockling effects, thereby suppressing boundary spotting while maintaining color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension by arranging boundary lines at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the scanning directions. This dimensional change transforms the boundary line orientation from axis-aligned to diagonally-aligned, reducing their vulnerability to cockling-induced positional shifts.
2Manufacturing precision
If the second recording is executed in positions where cockling easily occurs, then smaller supercells are formed reducing boundary spotting, but the complexity of controlling dot arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating dot group configurations based on their position on the recording medium. In central portions where cockling is more severe, smaller dot groups or different boundary line orientations are used, while end portions use standard configurations. This localized adaptation optimizes image quality without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as dot group size, boundary line angle, and supercell dimensions based on positional information and cockling characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to location on the medium, the system achieves adaptive optimization of image quality while managing complexity through rule-based parameter variation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dot recording apparatus executes recording of dots that are included in a common region using a plurality of main scan passes, and, in each main scan pass, executes a first recording, which records a supercell, which is a mass of dot groups in which at least a portion of a boundary line is not parallel to either the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, and a second recording, which records dots so as to be smaller than the supercell, which is recorded in the first recording, in positions in the main scanning direction that differ from positions in the main scanning direction, which the first recording executed.