Halftone Modification Mechanism for Inkjet Nozzle Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed production printers require additional hardware and software to implement nozzle flushing, which complicates the process and can lead to inefficiencies in inkjet printing, particularly in merging flushing patterns with image data.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes halftone modification logic to integrate flushing patterns into the halftone design, using a flushing array to define flush drop locations and sizes, allowing for efficient nozzle flushing without the need for separate passes or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing patterns are implemented as a separate pass, then nozzle flushing can be performed, but additional hardware and software are required and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flushing pattern generation with the existing halftone processing by modifying the halftone threshold array to include flushing drop locations. This integration eliminates the need for separate flushing hardware and software while maintaining effective nozzle flushing, as the flushing patterns are generated as part of the normal halftone processing pipeline.
2Productivity
If flushing patterns are merged with image data, then a single pass can be used, but additional logic is required to prevent larger drops in print job data from being overwritten by small flushing drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying specific elements of the halftone threshold array at flushing drop locations while leaving other elements unchanged. The halftone modification logic selectively adjusts threshold values only at designated flushing locations, ensuring that flushing drops are printed without affecting the surrounding image data, thus eliminating the need for complex overwrite prevention logic.
3Device complexity
If halftone modification logic is implemented, then flushing patterns can be integrated into the halftone design, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining the flushing pattern and integrating it into the halftone threshold array before the actual printing process. The flushing drop locations and sizes are determined in advance and incorporated into the halftone design, allowing the printing system to execute without additional processing steps during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes at least one physical memory device to store halftone modification logic and one or more processors coupled with at least one physical memory device to execute the halftone modification logic to receive a first halftone design comprising a first threshold array associated with a plurality of pel forming elements, receive a flush pattern comprising a flushing array defining a plurality of flush drop locations associated with the plurality of pel forming elements and generate a second halftone design based on the first threshold array and the flush pattern, wherein the second halftone design defines the plurality of flush drop locations.