Ink Jet Print Data Creation Nozzle Selection Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printer techniques fail to completely eliminate regions with significantly varying ink density along the print medium, leading to unsatisfactory printing results due to continuous selection of the same nozzle for multiple positions aligned in a direction.
Innovation Solution
A technique that creates print data by randomly selecting one nozzle from each nozzle unit for each position, with a restriction to prevent the same nozzle from being selected for more than a predetermined number of consecutive positions, ensuring balanced ink distribution and preventing continuous regions of high or low ink density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one nozzle is selected at random from each nozzle unit for each position, then the complexity of print data creation is reduced, but regions with significantly varying ink density may occur along the print medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the selection history of nozzles and uses this feedback to adjust future selections. By tracking which nozzles have been used for consecutive positions, the system can prevent excessive consecutive usage of the same nozzle, thereby maintaining ink density uniformity while still allowing random selection to dominate the process
Solution Approach 2:
The selection process transitions from purely static random selection to a dynamic process that adapts based on previous selections. The system dynamically adjusts the selection probability or availability of nozzles based on their recent usage patterns, allowing the same nozzle to be selected again after a certain number of consecutive positions have been printed by other nozzles
2Productivity
If the same nozzle is allowed to form dots for multiple consecutive positions, then the productivity of the ink jet printer is improved, but continuous regions of high or low ink density occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a periodic constraint where nozzles are rotated through a sequence of positions rather than being allowed to print continuously. By limiting consecutive usage to a maximum number of positions and then requiring a different nozzle, the system creates a periodic pattern of nozzle usage that prevents continuous ink density variations while maintaining efficient printing
Solution Approach 2:
The print medium is effectively segmented into zones that are assigned to different nozzles in sequence. By dividing the printing task among multiple nozzles with rotational assignment, the system prevents any single nozzle from creating continuous regions of varying ink density, thereby maintaining uniformity while preserving overall productivity
Data Source
AI summary
This specification discloses a computer program product for creating print data utilized by an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer comprises an ink jet head moving in a predetermined direction with respect to a print medium. The computer program product includes instructions for ordering a computer to perform a reading step of reading image data that includes a plurality of first combinations. Each first combination comprises a position and information concerning whether a dot is to be formed at the position. The computer program product includes instructions for ordering the computer to further perform a print data creating step of creating the print data by creating a second combination for each position at which the dot is to be formed. Each second combination comprises the position at which the dot is to be formed and one nozzle randomly selected from the nozzles of the nozzle unit which corresponds to the position. In the print data creating step, the same nozzle cannot be selected for more than a predetermined number of positions continuously aligned along the predetermined direction.