Ink Marker Absorbance Detection for Cartridge Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet recording systems face challenges in accurately identifying whether an ink cartridge contains the appropriate ink, as existing methods are costly and fail to reliably determine the ink's composition, leading to potential nozzle clogging and printing issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a marker with a detector absorption peak at a wavelength different from the coloring agent's maximum absorption peak, allowing for accurate identification of the ink through absorbance measurement, with specific conditions for absorbance ratios and color differences to ensure reliable detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absorbance measurement is used to identify ink composition, then measurement precision is improved, but the method becomes difficult to implement because ink stock solution has very high absorbance that cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a marker substance as an intermediary component in the ink formulation. This marker has a detector absorption peak at a wavelength different from the coloring agent's maximum absorption peak, allowing the detection system to measure absorbance at a wavelength where the ink's primary coloring does not interfere, thus enabling measurement of ink composition without dilution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter by selecting a specific wavelength for detection that corresponds to the marker's absorption peak rather than the coloring agent's peak. This parameter change allows the system to detect the presence and composition of the ink by measuring absorbance at a wavelength where the ink formulation has suitable transmission characteristics
2Ease of operation
If IC chip or identification label is used to identify ink cartridge, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened because these methods cannot judge whether the ink itself is appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/visual identification methods (IC chips, labels) with an optical detection system that directly analyzes the ink's physical-chemical properties. The detection system measures absorbance characteristics of the ink itself, providing reliable verification of ink composition and appropriateness rather than relying on external identification components that can be spoofed or malfunction
3Measurement precision
If marker is added to ink for detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to need for multiple wavelength detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task by using two distinct absorption peaks: one for the coloring agent and another for the marker. This segmentation allows the detection system to use a single wavelength measurement at the marker's peak to identify ink composition, avoiding the need for complex full-spectrum analysis while maintaining high precision
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
Enables cost-effective and accurate identification of ink cartridges, reducing the risk of nozzle clogging and ensuring proper printing by using an ink with a marker that can be detected without altering the ink's color significantly.
Implementation Method 1
The marker has a detector absorption peak for detecting the marker at a wavelength different from a wavelength of a maximum absorption peak of the coloring agent
Data Source
AI summary
An ink for ink-jet recording may contain a coloring agent and a marker. The coloring agent may contain a dye. The marker may contain at least one of a dye and a pigment, and has a detector absorption peak for detecting the marker at a wavelength that is different from a wavelength of the maximum absorption peak of the coloring agent. The coloring agent and the marker are contained in the ink in amounts that satisfy the following conditions (I) to (III):(I) about 1.2≦A2/ A3;(II) color difference (ΔE)≦about 3; and(III) about 0.001≦A2≦about 5 in terms of a measurement optical path length of 1 mm,where A2 denotes an absorbance at the wavelength of the detector absorption peak of the marker,A3 denotes a baseline absorbance at the wavelength of the detector absorption peak of the marker.