Inkjet Head with Functional Liquid for Graininess Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses face challenges in reducing graininess in highlight areas when printing on diverse media types, as existing image processing methods do not effectively address the issue of ink penetration and distribution across different surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that includes a head capable of discharging colored ink and a functional liquid to promote penetration, using a normal mode for the front face and a bleed-through mode to print on both sides, with the functional liquid enhancing ink penetration and reducing graininess in highlight areas by adjusting discharge conditions based on lightness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If quantization processing is used for dot ON/OFF determination, then manufacturing precision is improved, but graininess worsens in highlight areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing methods to different regions of the image. For highlight areas (light regions), it uses randomization processing to reduce graininess, while for non-highlight areas, it uses conventional quantization processing. This regional differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region according to its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameter from fixed quantization thresholds to dynamic randomization based on position and lightness. By introducing randomness in the dot placement within highlight areas, it maintains the overall lightness while reducing the visible graininess caused by fixed quantization patterns.
2Manufacturing precision
If halftone processing is executed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability worsens for diverse media types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the processing method dynamic by detecting the lightness of each pixel and applying different processing (quantization vs. randomization) based on the detected lightness value. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain precision while being versatile across different media types and image regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary lightness detection and classification before applying the final dot formation processing. By pre-identifying highlight areas through lightness detection, it can apply the appropriate processing method (randomization for highlights, quantization for other areas) to resolve the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If colored ink discharge amount is reduced in light regions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but graininess worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary randomization process between the lightness control and the final dot formation. Instead of directly controlling dot presence based on lightness, it uses randomization to distribute dots in a way that achieves the desired lightness while reducing graininess. This intermediary step resolves the contradiction by decoupling lightness control from graininess.
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 apparatus effectively ameliorates graininess in highlight areas by using the functional liquid to soak and wet the surface of the medium, improving print quality across various media types while maintaining the desired lightness and color brightness.
Implementation Method 1
a functional liquid that promotes penetration of the colored ink
Implementation Method 2
the functional liquid is discharged in addition to the colored ink, and so the colored ink soaks into and wets out the surface of the medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a head capable of discharging liquids toward a medium. The liquids include a colored ink and a functional liquid that promotes penetration of the colored ink. The printing apparatus has a normal mode to print a front face of the medium with the colored ink, and a bleed-through mode to print the front and reverse of the medium by printing the front face of the medium with the colored ink and using the functional liquid to cause the discharged colored ink to penetrate toward the reverse face of the medium. When printing in the normal mode, the colored ink and the functional liquid are used for forming regions having a specific lightness or greater.