Inkjet Head Defect Detection via Color-Specific Test Pattern Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording technologies fail to efficiently detect defective recording elements that cause image defects in ink jet recording apparatuses, as methods relying on nozzle evaluation frequencies do not effectively identify nozzles leading to visible image defects, especially in highlight images where failures may not result in streaks.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus and method that acquire an indicator for the visual perception of image defects for each color, set a higher appearance ratio for test patterns based on these indicators, and analyze captured images to detect defective recording elements, increasing analysis frequency for colors with higher defect visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test patterns of all colors are recorded with equal frequency for evaluation, then each recording head is evaluated uniformly, but the detection efficiency for defective recording elements causing visible image defects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the evaluation frequency for each color based on its defect visibility characteristics. Instead of uniform evaluation, the system assigns higher appearance ratios to colors where defects are more visually perceptible (like cyan and magenta) and lower ratios to colors where defects are less noticeable (like yellow and black). This targeted approach improves defect detection accuracy for critical colors while optimizing overall evaluation efficiency.
2Reliability
If evaluation frequency is increased for all recording heads, then detection capability improves, but time consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by selectively increasing evaluation frequency only for colors where defects are highly visible and critical to image quality. The appearance ratio setting unit assigns higher weights to cyan and magenta channels while reducing weights for yellow and black channels. This selective approach maintains high detection reliability for problematic colors without unnecessarily increasing evaluation time for all colors equally.
3Quantity of substance
If test patterns are recorded with high frequency for colors with low defect visibility, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but resources are wasted on detecting defects that are not visually significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter (appearance ratio) based on the visual significance of defects for each color. The system dynamically adjusts the frequency and intensity of evaluation for each color channel according to pre-determined visibility indicators. This parameter adaptation ensures that evaluation resources are concentrated on colors where defects matter most (cyan, magenta) rather than uniformly distributing resources across all colors including those with low defect visibility (yellow, black).
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image recording apparatus that efficiently detects defective recording elements causing image defects in a plurality of recording heads and a method of detecting the defective recording elements. An image recording apparatus including: a plurality of recording heads; an indicator acquisition unit for acquiring an indicator which relatively indicates how easily image defects are visually perceived for each color, an appearance ratio setting unit for setting an appearance ratio of a test pattern as a higher value as the indicator of each color becomes higher; a recording unit for recording the test pattern of each color on a recording medium at the appearance ratio; an imaging unit for capturing an image of the test pattern which is recorded on the recording medium; and an analysis unit for analyzing the captured test pattern and detecting a defect of a recording element in the recording head.