Ink Supply Delay Suppression via Dot Ratio Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink supply delays in printing devices can lead to deteriorated image quality and reduced printing speed due to increased ink viscosity at lower temperatures, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that adjusts the ratio of different dot sizes in an image based on ink supply conditions, increasing the ratio of smaller dots and decreasing the ratio of larger dots when ink supply is delayed to reduce ink usage and maintain printing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of continuous ejections of dots is increased, then the printing speed is improved, but the ink supply delay occurs due to increased ink viscosity at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the ink (temperature, viscosity) by introducing a heating unit to warm the ink before ejection. This parameter change allows the ink to maintain proper flow characteristics even during continuous high-speed ejection, resolving the contradiction between printing speed and ink supply stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the ink in the ink supply path before it reaches the ejection nozzles. This preliminary thermal treatment ensures the ink is at the optimal temperature and viscosity state before the actual printing process begins, preventing ink supply delays during high-speed operation.
2Reliability
If the ink temperature is increased to reduce viscosity, then the ink supply is improved, but the printing speed is lowered due to increased number of passes required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heating unit as an intermediary component between the ink supply reservoir and the ejection nozzles. This intermediary device selectively warms the ink only in the critical supply path, improving ink flow without requiring heating of the entire printing system, thus maintaining printing speed while ensuring reliable ink supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by heating only the ink in the supply path where temperature control is most critical, rather than heating the entire printing head or ink reservoir uniformly. This localized thermal treatment optimizes ink viscosity specifically where needed, balancing supply reliability with printing efficiency.
3Reliability
If the number of passes is increased to print the band, then the ink supply delay is suppressed, but the printing speed is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the ink to reduce viscosity and improve flow characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliable ink supply during continuous high-speed operation without needing to increase the number of printing passes, thus resolving the contradiction between ink supply stability and 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 effectively suppresses ink supply delays and maintains printing speed by optimizing dot ratios, thereby improving image quality and reducing ink consumption.
Implementation Method 1
when a temperature of the ink is relatively low, a viscosity of the ink is increased, so that delay in ink supply from an accommodation part of the ink to the printing head is likely to occur
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device configured to: determine whether a specific condition indicating ink supplied from an ink supplier to a printing head may be delayed; generate dot data by using image data, including: generating first dot data when the specific condition is not satisfied; and generating second dot data when the specific condition is satisfied, a ratio of first/second type of dots included in an image based on specific second dot data generated using specific image data being greater/smaller than that included in an image based on specific first dot data generated using the specific image data, and total number of dots included in the image based on the specific second dot data being larger that included in the image based on the specific first dot data; and output printing data based on the dot data.