Inkjet Nozzle Inspection via Adaptive Dot Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink bleed-through on certain printing media distorts test patterns, making it difficult to accurately inspect nozzle functionality in inkjet printing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that adjusts the number of dots in the test pattern based on the susceptibility of the printing medium to ink bleed-through, using fewer dots on media prone to bleed-through to maintain pattern integrity and enable accurate nozzle inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a test pattern is printed on a printing medium with high susceptibility to ink bleed-through, then the test pattern can be printed on various types of media, but the ink bleeds through and spreads causing the shape of pattern elements to become uneven and making nozzle inspection inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the dot formation parameters specifically for test patterns based on the printing medium type. Different dot configurations (number of dots, dot size, dot spacing) are used for different media types, allowing the test pattern to maintain accuracy on bleed-prone media while preserving compatibility across various printing media.
2Measurement precision
If the number of dots forming a pattern element is increased to improve inspection accuracy, then nozzle state determination becomes more accurate, but ink consumption increases and bleed-through effect is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the dot formation parameters (number of dots, dot size, dot spacing) based on the printing medium type. For media with high bleed-through susceptibility, the system reduces the number of dots and adjusts dot spacing to minimize ink consumption and bleed-through while maintaining sufficient resolution for accurate nozzle inspection.
3Loss of substance
If the dot size is increased to reduce the number of dots needed, then ink consumption is reduced, but the resolution for detecting nozzle abnormalities decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different dot size parameters for different regions and media types. For bleed-prone media, smaller dots with optimized spacing are used to maintain resolution while reducing ink consumption. For media with low bleed-through, larger dots can be used to reduce the total number of dots required.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing head including a nozzle configured to discharge ink, and a control unit configured to control the printing head to print a test pattern on a printing medium, for inspecting a state of ink discharge by the nozzle. The test pattern includes a pattern element formed by a plurality of dots of the ink, and the control unit causes the printing head to print the test pattern where a number of the dots forming the pattern element on a second printing medium is smaller than a number of the dots forming the pattern element on a first printing medium, the second printing medium being more susceptible to bleed-through of the ink than the first printing medium.