Hierarchical LED Printhead Data Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed print modes, existing electrophotographic printing systems face limitations in loading image data into the printhead due to the need to load data for all light sources, even when only a subset is used, leading to increased data load times and compromised image quality.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical printhead system with multiple print modes, where light sources are grouped into subsets with different spacings, allowing for efficient data loading by using a switching unit to direct image data into specific memories based on the print mode, reducing the need to load data for unused light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional printhead architecture is used with sequential pixel loading for all light sources, then complete image data can be loaded, but data load time increases and printing speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is divided into multiple groups, with each group having its own dedicated memory. This segmentation allows image data to be loaded into specific groups simultaneously rather than sequentially loading all light sources, thereby reducing data load time and enabling faster printing speeds.
2Manufacturing precision
If all light sources are activated for high-resolution printing, then image quality is maintained, but data loading becomes inefficient when only a subset is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead system dynamically configures which groups of light sources are active based on the required print resolution. For low-resolution printing, only specific groups are activated with their corresponding image data loaded, while other groups remain inactive. This dynamic adaptation optimizes data loading efficiency while maintaining the required image quality.
3Ease of operation
If sequential pixel loading is used for all light sources, then data can be loaded into the printhead, but the time required limits maximum printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is divided into multiple groups, with each group having its own dedicated memory. This segmentation allows image data to be loaded into specific groups simultaneously rather than sequentially loading all light sources, thereby reducing data load time and enabling faster printing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
Image data is pre-loaded into the dedicated memories of specific printhead groups before printing begins. This preliminary action allows the printing process to start immediately without waiting for sequential data loading, thereby increasing the maximum printing speed.
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 approach significantly reduces data load times and minimizes computational requirements for image processing, particularly in low-resolution print modes, while maintaining image quality by only loading data for the necessary light sources.
Implementation Method 1
a linear printhead including an array of LED light sources
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor by uniformly charging the photoreceptor and then discharging selected areas
Data Source
AI summary
A hierarchical printhead system supports multiple print modes. A first print mode uses a first subset of light sources having a first spacing. A second print mode uses a second subset of light sources having a second spacing which is less than the first spacing. Image data for lines of image data are sequentially loaded into the printhead, wherein if the specified print mode is the first print mode, image data for a first group of light sources corresponding to the first subset are loaded, and if the specified print mode is the second print mode, image data for the first group of light sources are first loaded, and then image data for a second group of light sources corresponding to the light sources in the second subset that are not in the first subset are loaded.