Inkjet Printer Discharge Control Synchronization via USB Hub
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet printers for fabrics, the sequential transmission of print data through a USB hub leads to timing discrepancies among discharge port groups, resulting in potential print quality deterioration due to incomplete or improper ink discharge synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A printer system with multiple discharge control devices connected to discharge port groups, a control data output device, and a connection control device that manages data transmission to ensure synchronized ink discharge by outputting print data through a connection device, allowing for individual connection and control of each discharge port group, thereby preventing print quality issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print data is sequentially transmitted to multiple print portion control circuits via a USB hub, then the printer can control multiple discharge port groups, but timing discrepancies occur causing print quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit receives advance notification from the CPU before actual ink discharge occurs. This preliminary action allows the control circuit to prepare and synchronize the discharge timing of multiple discharge port groups, ensuring all groups receive and process print data before starting printing, thereby preventing timing discrepancies and print quality deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit monitors the transmission status of print data and provides feedback to the CPU. This feedback mechanism allows the CPU to adjust the transmission timing and ensure all discharge port groups have received the necessary print data before initiating discharge, maintaining synchronization across multiple groups
2Adaptability or versatility
If the CPU is connected to multiple control circuits via a USB hub, then the printer can expand its functionality, but the number of signal lines increases reducing design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The USB hub serves multiple functions: it acts as a connector for multiple discharge port groups, a data transmission device, and a timing synchronization unit. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the patent reduces the number of separate signal lines and connectors needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining expandability
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a plurality of discharge control devices, a control data output device, a connection device, a connection control device, a processor and a memory. The processor performs starting output of specified print data, which is used to discharge the liquid by the discharge port group, from the control data output device to a specified discharge control device which is one of the plurality of discharge control devices that are each connected to one of the plurality of second connection ports and which is a target to perform processing that outputs print data, outputting subsequent print data, which relates is to a specified discharge target onto which the liquid is to be discharged by the discharge port group, to the specified discharge control device that is connected to the second connection port, based on the specified print data for which output has been started.