Inkjet Head Nozzle Correction for Banding in Overlap Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems, such as inkjet printers, face issues with uneven density streaks (banding) in printed images due to variations in ink discharge characteristics and precision of nozzle arrays, which current correction methods like BRS processing cannot fully address, especially when considering individual ink colors and mechanical characteristics of head units.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates print data by inputting ink discharge correction volumes for specific nozzles, allowing for precise correction of uneven printing caused by nozzle array disruptions, particularly in overlap regions where head units connect, enabling more accurate and ink-color-specific adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple head units are assembled to constitute a printing head to support high definition and wide format, then printing capability is improved, but streaks of uneven density occur at connection regions due to variation in attachment precision
Solution Approach 1:
The printing head is divided into multiple head units that can be assembled together to achieve wide format printing. Each head unit is treated as an independent module with its own nozzles, allowing for modular assembly while maintaining overall printing quality through individual correction of each unit's characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by measuring the actual ink discharge characteristics of each head unit and connection region, then adjusting the ink volume parameters specifically for problematic areas. This allows compensation for attachment precision variations by modifying discharge parameters rather than mechanical parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If BRS correction processing is applied to correct uneven density, then image quality is improved, but correction cannot be performed considering individual ink color characteristics and mechanical characteristics of each head unit
Solution Approach 1:
The correction method applies local quality by treating each head unit and ink color combination independently. Instead of uniform correction across the entire printing head, the invention measures and corrects each nozzle's ink discharge characteristics individually, allowing tailored correction for each local region and ink color.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction process is segmented by ink color and head unit, creating separate correction data for each combination. This segmentation enables independent optimization of correction parameters for each ink color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) and each head unit, enhancing adaptability to individual characteristics.
3Manufacturing precision
If correction is limited to overlap regions where head units connect, then banding is reduced, but uneven density in other regions cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The correction approach is segmented into two levels: connection region correction for banding issues and comprehensive correction for all regions. The invention first addresses overlap regions specifically, then extends correction to all head units and nozzles, ensuring both localized and global uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary measurement and correction setup for all head units and nozzles before actual printing. By pre-measuring ink discharge characteristics across the entire printing head and preparing correction data in advance, it enables comprehensive correction coverage rather than limiting correction only to problematic overlap regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus configured to generate, based on image data corresponding to a printing image, print data for causing a printer to execute printing includes an input unit (input device, display device) configured to receive, for each of the first ink and the second ink, an ink discharge correction volume for correcting an ink volume discharged from predetermined nozzles among a plurality of first nozzles and a plurality of second nozzles, and a print data generating unit (printer driver) configured to generate the print data based on the image data and the ink discharge correction volume input.