Image Recording Apparatus Ejection Failure and Density Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording technologies face challenges in simultaneously correcting ejection failures and density non-uniformities without causing over-correction, especially when using inexpensive scanners with low resolution, leading to visible image defects and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus and method that includes a recording head with a conveyance device, defect information acquisition, correction, and density measurement systems to identify and correct ejection failures and density variations using a test chart, allowing for concurrent ejection failure correction and density correction without duplication, thereby preventing over-correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ejection failure correction and density correction are carried out conjointly using conventional methods, then both types of correction are applied, but over-correction occurs due to duplication of correction processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction process into distinct phases: ejection failure correction is performed first on the test chart, then density correction is applied to the corrected test chart. This segmentation prevents duplication by ensuring each correction type operates on already-corrected data, eliminating over-correction while maintaining both correction types' benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies ejection failure correction as a preliminary action before density correction. By correcting ejection failures first and then performing density correction on the already-corrected test chart, the system establishes a proper sequence that prevents duplicate correction of the same defects, resolving the over-correction problem
2Ease of manufacture
If an inexpensive scanner with low resolution is used for density measurement, then cost is reduced, but the density of ejection failure portions affects measured density of neighboring nozzles, causing incorrect correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ejection failure correction as a preliminary step before density measurement and correction. By correcting ejection failures in the test chart first, the subsequent density measurement using low-resolution scanners becomes accurate because the ejection failure defects that would interfere with measurement have already been corrected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary correction process (ejection failure correction) that mediates between the low-resolution scanner and the density measurement. This intermediary step removes the harmful interference of ejection failures from the measurement process, enabling accurate density measurement even with inexpensive scanning equipment
3Reliability
If ejection failure correction is performed for each output media, then correction timeliness is improved, but processing time increases due to rapid image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ejection failure correction as a preliminary action on test charts that are output periodically or initially, rather than processing every single output media. This preliminary correction establishes a baseline that can be used for subsequent corrections, reducing the processing burden while maintaining timeliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses test charts as copies or representations of the recording head's output characteristics. By analyzing and correcting ejection failures on these test charts rather than every production piece, the system achieves timely correction information without the processing overhead of examining each individual output media
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements; a conveyance device which conveys at least one of the recording head and a recording medium; a recording defect information acquisition device which acquires recording defect information; a recording defect correction device which corrects an image defect caused by the recording element having a recording defect; an image reading apparatus which reads in an image of a test chart for density measurement recorded by the recording head; a recording density information acquisition device which acquires recording density information indicating recording density of the plurality of recording elements; a density correction information calculation device which calculates density correction information; a density correction device which corrects density of image data; an uncorrected recording defect information acquisition device which acquires uncorrected recording defect information; and a recording density information amendment device which amends the density correction information.