Inkjet Dot Position Correction for Wind Ripple Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with wind ripple due to air flow caused by the motion of the carriage, leading to dot spreading and increased manufacturing costs from complex structures like belts and rollers to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that adjusts dot data and print data generation based on whether dots correspond to the front or rear nozzle line in the primary scan direction, allowing for correction of dot positions to reduce wind ripple without additional mobile members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If mobile members (belt and rollers) are provided to generate forward air flow to prevent wind ripple, then wind ripple is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air flow generation system (belt and rollers) with an image processing system that corrects dot positions in print data. By detecting the carriage moving direction and adjusting dot placement coordinates, the system compensates for air flow effects without requiring additional mechanical components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining wind ripple reduction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual correction model of the air flow effect through image processing. Instead of physically counteracting the air flow with mechanical means, the system generates corrected print data that predicts and compensates for dot spread, effectively copying the desired outcome without the complex mechanical infrastructure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mobile members (belt and rollers) are provided to generate forward air flow to prevent wind ripple, then wind ripple is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive mechanical components (belt and rollers for air flow generation) with a software-based image processing solution. The correction unit modifies print data coordinates based on carriage direction, eliminating the need for costly mechanical hardware while achieving the same wind ripple reduction goal, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing cost
3Manufacturing precision
If dot positions are corrected based on front or rear nozzle line, then wind ripple is reduced and print quality improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary correction to the print data before actual printing occurs. The correction unit pre-adjusts dot positions based on the detected carriage moving direction, so that when ink is discharged, the dots naturally land in the correct positions despite air flow effects. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by preventing the need for complex real-time adjustments during printing
Data Source
AI summary
After dot image data is created via a halftone process, dot size determination is performed in step S110, it is determined there is a smaller dot in front motion in step S112, and, when the smaller dot is to be allocated to a front nozzle line, a moving process is performed thereon in step S116. Once moved by one dot, the dot position of a smaller dot is allocated to a rear nozzle line and thus discharged from the rear nozzle line that is less affected by an air flow.