Inkjet Printer Density Correction via Reference Outlet Substitution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in acquiring appropriate density correction values quickly when ink ejection failures occur, leading to prolonged cleaning and re-printing processes for density correction patterns.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printer employs a scanning mechanism and image pickup part to detect target outlets with missing ink, using adjacent outlets as references to calculate and update density correction values, enabling rapid acquisition of correction values through a pattern for density correction and a check pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning processing and re-printing are performed when ink ejection failure occurs, then appropriate density correction values can be acquired, but the time required for acquisition increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by printing a check pattern together with the density correction pattern before ink ejection failure occurs. This check pattern serves as a reference that allows the system to detect and handle ejection failures without needing to re-print the entire density correction pattern, thus saving time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a check pattern as a mediator between the density correction pattern and the image pickup part. The check pattern contains reference information that helps identify ejection failures and facilitates the calculation of corrected density values without requiring complete re-printing
2Manufacturing precision
If a density correction pattern is printed to acquire correction values for all outlets, then uniform print density can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming when ejection failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the density correction process by separating the check pattern (for detection) from the density correction pattern (for measurement). This segmentation allows the system to quickly identify ejection failures using the check pattern and then selectively process only the affected outlets, rather than re-processing the entire pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the image pickup part to capture the printed pattern and feed this information back to the correction value acquisition part. The system analyzes the captured image to detect ejection failures and automatically adjusts the correction process, enabling rapid acquisition of accurate correction values without manual intervention
Data Source
AI summary
In an inkjet printer, a pattern for density correction that indicates a constant density image is printed on printing paper with a head having a plurality of outlet rows, and pattern image data that indicates the pattern is acquired. A target outlet that ejects ink toward a linear region having a missing part in the pattern is detected, and a reference outlet that is included in the same outlet row as the target outlet and located close to the target outlet is specified. A density correction value of the target outlet among density correction values that are acquired based on a density profile of the pattern is replaced with a representative value of a density correction value of the reference outlet. Through this, even if an ink ejection failure occurs in any of the outlets, appropriate density correction values can be obtained for a plurality of outlets.