Inkjet Print Correction for Optical Density and Gloss Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems struggle to achieve accurate application amounts of reaction liquids and color materials on non-absorbent printing media, leading to inconsistent optical density and glossiness, as existing correction methods fail to account for the interdependence of these factors.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that includes a controller to generate correction information based on optical density and specular reflection intensity measurements of test patterns, adjusting the application amounts of both reaction liquid and color material inks to match target values for both optical density and glossiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only one of the reaction liquid or the ink is corrected for application amount, then the optical density or gloss can match the target value, but the other parameter (gloss or optical density) cannot simultaneously match its target value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters being controlled from separate single-parameter corrections to joint two-parameter corrections. By simultaneously adjusting both the ink application amount and reaction liquid application amount based on their respective target values (optical density target and gloss target), the system resolves the contradiction where correcting one parameter causes the other to deviate from its target.
2Manufacturing precision
If the application amount of reaction liquid and ink are not accurately controlled, then the printing process is simple, but the optical density and glossiness become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual optical density and glossiness of printed patches are measured and compared against target values. The application amounts of ink and reaction liquid are then corrected based on the deviations detected, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures consistent optical density and glossiness across prints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary correction by printing test patches with varying application amounts of ink and reaction liquid before actual production printing. The optimal combination of application amounts is determined in advance through measurement and calculation, and this correction information is stored for use in subsequent printing operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ratio between reaction liquid application amount and ink application amount is not optimized, then the printing process is straightforward, but the optical density and gloss change inconsistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ratio between reaction liquid application amount and ink application amount by treating them as interdependent parameters. Through measurement of test patches and calculation of correction values, the system determines the optimal ratio that stabilizes both optical density and gloss, resolving the inconsistency that arises when the ratio is not properly controlled.
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
The system effectively corrects for color deviation and ensures that the printed image achieves both target optical density and glossiness by dynamically adjusting the application amounts of reaction liquid and color material inks, thereby improving image quality on non-absorbent media.
Implementation Method 1
the ink containing a color material is made to react with a reaction liquid, and the color material is made to aggregate to thicken the ink
Implementation Method 2
a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an optical density for each of the plurality of patches
Implementation Method 3
a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a specular reflection intensity for each of the plurality of patches
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a printing unit configured to eject a color material ink and a reaction liquid; a controller configured to control the printing unit such that the printing unit prints a first test pattern in which a plurality of patches are arranged; a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an optical density for each of the plurality of patches; a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a specular reflection intensity for each of the plurality of patches; and a first generation unit configured to generate correction information based on the optical density obtained by the first obtaining unit, the specular reflection intensity obtained by the second obtaining unit, a first target value of the optical density for a first input value of the color material ink, and a second target value of the specular reflection intensity for a second input value of the reaction liquid.