Inkjet Image Data Processing for Nozzle Ejection Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auxiliary ink ejection onto blank areas of a recording medium can degrade the print quality of images formed on the print area, as it affects the ink droplet ejecting property and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image data processing device that includes an image data storing unit, a correction data producing unit, and an image density value addition unit, which processes image data for a liquid ejection device with an inkjet head. It adjusts the ink droplet ejection by adding correction density values to pixel density values based on the ejection time from nozzles, ensuring that ink droplets are ejected only when necessary to maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary ink ejection is performed onto blank areas to recover ink droplet ejecting property, then the ink droplet ejecting property is improved, but the print quality of the image formed on the print area degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between print area pixels and blank area pixels. Correction density values are selectively applied only to pixels corresponding to nozzles that have been idle for extended periods, while other pixels maintain their original density values. This localized correction approach recovers ejecting property for affected nozzles without introducing auxiliary ejection artifacts into the print area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the idle time of each nozzle and using this information to dynamically adjust correction density values. The correction data producing unit receives feedback about nozzle usage patterns and generates appropriate correction data that reflects the actual ejecting property degradation, enabling precise control of auxiliary ejection only where necessary.
2Reliability
If auxiliary ink ejection is performed to maintain ink droplet ejecting property, then the reliability of ink ejection is improved, but ink is wasted and unnecessary ejection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing correction density values only to the extent necessary to recover ejecting property for affected nozzles. Not all pixels receive correction - only those corresponding to nozzles with extended idle periods. This partial correction approach ensures adequate recovery of ejecting property while minimizing unnecessary ink ejection and waste.
3Reliability
If correction density values are added to all pixels, then the ink droplet ejecting property is recovered, but the image density distribution becomes uneven and print quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains stable image density distribution by applying correction density values locally only to pixels corresponding to nozzles with extended idle periods. Pixels corresponding to actively used nozzles retain their original density values, ensuring that the overall image density distribution remains uniform and natural, while still recovering ejecting property where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image data processing device processes image data. The image data processing device includes an image data storing unit, a correction data producing unit, and an image density value addition unit. The image density value is either a first density value that is greater than or equal to a prescribed value or a second density value that is less than the prescribed value. The ink droplet is ejected on the first subject pixel whereas the ink droplet is unejected on the second subject pixel. The correction data producing unit produces correction data including a plurality of correction density values. The image density value addition unit adds the correction density value to the second density value of the corresponding pixel. The correction data producing unit produces a first correction density value and a second correction density value as the correction density value.