Inkjet Printer Code Image Quality via Defective Nozzle Conveyance Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In serial-type inkjet printers, defective nozzles can cause ejection failures or direction displacement issues, leading to incomplete or incorrect code images, which may result in reading errors and reduced recording speed.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a controller to determine a conveyance distance and adjust the position of a defective ejection port within the image data, allowing the printer to perform shortened conveyance processing to prevent the defective nozzle from forming critical regions of a code image, thereby minimizing reading errors and maintaining high-speed printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printer uses a defective nozzle to form code image regions, then recording speed is maintained, but reading errors occur due to ejection failures or direction displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary determination of the conveyance distance adjustment amount before actual printing, based on the defective nozzle's position and the code image's critical regions. This advance planning allows the system to pre-calculate how much to shorten the conveyance distance so that the defective nozzle naturally lands in non-critical areas during printing, maintaining high-speed operation while avoiding reading errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the conveyance distance parameter by shortening it by a calculated adjustment amount. This parameter modification shifts the positioning relationship between the defective nozzle and the code image regions, ensuring that when the nozzle ejects ink, it lands in non-critical areas rather than critical data regions, thus preserving code readability while maintaining printing efficiency
2Reliability
If the printer shortens the conveyance distance to avoid defective nozzle in critical regions, then reading errors are prevented, but the conveyance processing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The controller modifies the conveyance distance parameter by calculating a specific adjustment amount based on the defective nozzle's position and the code image structure. This simple parameter change approach avoids complex mechanical modifications or additional hardware, achieving reliable code printing through straightforward computational adjustment of an existing control parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing control mechanisms (conveyance distance control) to solve the problem of defective nozzles. By autonomously calculating and adjusting the conveyance distance based on detected nozzle defects, the printer self-corrects the positioning issue without requiring external intervention or complex additional systems
3Ease of operation
If the printer continues to use the original conveyance distance with a defective nozzle, then device operation remains simple, but image quality deteriorates in critical regions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically adjusts the conveyance distance parameter based on the defective nozzle's position, shifting where the nozzle lands during printing. This parameter modification ensures that even with a defective nozzle, the ink is deposited in non-critical areas of the code image, maintaining high manufacturing precision without complicating device operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback about the defective nozzle's position and characteristics to dynamically adjust the conveyance distance. This feedback mechanism allows the printer to adapt its operation in real-time, ensuring high-quality code image output while keeping the operational interface simple and unchanged for the user
Data Source
AI summary
A controller determines an original conveyance distance; determines whether a particular code image is to be recorded on a recording medium; when the particular code image is to be recorded, determines, based on the image data and on identification information of a defective ejection port, whether the first region is to be formed with liquid ejected from the defective ejection port assuming that the medium is conveyed by the original conveyance distance; when the first region is to be formed with liquid ejected from the defective ejection port, determines a shortened conveyance distance such that the defective ejection port is located at a position corresponding to a second region with respect to the conveyance direction; performs shortened conveyance processing of controlling the conveyor to convey the medium in the conveyance direction by the shortened conveyance distance; and controls the carriage and the head to record the image on the medium.