Inkjet Nozzle Array Calibration via Patch Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses with multiple nozzle arrays face challenges in maintaining complementary relations among nozzle arrays during calibration, leading to complex processing and high memory requirements, especially when correcting color deviations and density variations.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that prints patches using ink from multiple nozzle arrays of the same color, allowing for real-time adjustment of correction processing based on patch results, enabling high-speed calibration with reduced memory usage by processing multi-valued data before binarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration is performed by printing patches using multiple nozzle arrays of the same color ink, then color deviation correction is achieved, but processing complexity increases and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration processing before binarization of image data. The correction values for multiple nozzle arrays are calculated and stored in correction tables prior to actual printing operations. This allows the complex calibration computations to be completed in advance, simplifying real-time printing processing while maintaining accurate color correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the calibration process into distinct phases: patch printing phase, measurement phase, and correction table generation phase. By dividing the calibration workflow into separate manageable steps, the system can process each phase independently, reducing overall processing complexity while achieving accurate multi-nozzle array color correction.
2Reliability
If calibration data for multiple nozzle arrays is stored and processed, then color consistency is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating separate correction tables for each nozzle array based on their individual characteristics. Each nozzle array receives tailored correction values specific to its performance profile, ensuring optimal color consistency for that particular array while minimizing the memory required compared to storing comprehensive data for all arrays simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential correction parameters needed for each nozzle array into compact correction tables. By taking out and storing only the critical calibration data (correction values for different density levels) rather than complete characterization data, the system achieves color consistency while reducing memory requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex correction processing is applied to maintain complementary relations among nozzle arrays, then printing quality is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing complex correction processing in advance during calibration mode. Correction tables are pre-calculated and stored, allowing high-quality color correction to be applied through simple table lookups during normal printing operations. This separates the computationally intensive calibration phase from the speed-critical printing phase, maintaining both quality and productivity.
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
This approach simplifies the calibration process, maintains complementary relations among nozzle arrays, and reduces processing complexity, allowing for efficient color correction and high-speed operation with minimal memory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
when electrothermal conversion elements (heaters) are used as the ejection energy generation elements
Implementation Method 2
variations in the amount of generated heat among heaters (variations in the film thickness of heaters)
Implementation Method 3
variations in ink ejection opening diameter among nozzles, of which the ink ejection openings form a part
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus and a calibration method are provided which, by using a small-capacity memory, can perform a high-speed calibration processing on data used to eject ink of the same color from a plurality of nozzle arrays. By ejecting ink of the same color from the plurality of nozzle arrays, patch is printed and, based on the printed result of the patch, a content of a print data correction processing is changed.