Inkjet Nozzle Density Correction Chart Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for ink jet printing face challenges in accurately correcting density unevenness and white streaks caused by non-ejectable nozzles, leading to reduced productivity due to time-consuming correction value calculations.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that acquires nozzle density characteristics and detects non-ejectable nozzles using a dedicated chart, creating a correction table that excludes the influence of non-ejectable nozzles, allowing for real-time detection and adjustment during printing to prevent excessive correction and maintain productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If correction value calculation for density unevenness correction is performed frequently to maintain accurate printing results when non-ejectable nozzles occur, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of non-ejectable nozzles by analyzing the scanned chart image before density unevenness correction calculation. The detection unit identifies non-ejectable nozzles based on patterns in the scanned image, and this detection result is stored and reused for subsequent correction calculations, avoiding the need to recalculate correction values frequently when non-ejectable nozzles are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The correction value calculation process is segmented into two independent parts: (1) detection of non-ejectable nozzles from scanned image patterns, and (2) density unevenness correction calculation based on detected nozzle characteristics. By separating these functions, the system can perform detection once and use the results for multiple correction calculations, reducing overall processing time
2Manufacturing precision
If both density unevenness correction processing and non-ejection complementation processing are performed in overlapping areas, then white streaks from non-ejectable nozzles are suppressed, but black streaks and density unevenness occur due to excessive correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the scanned chart image to dynamically adjust correction values. The detection unit analyzes the actual printing results captured in the scanned image to identify non-ejectable nozzles, and this feedback information is used to modify correction values in the correction value calculation unit, ensuring that correction is applied only where needed and avoiding excessive correction that causes black streaks
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different correction strategies to different nozzle regions based on local characteristics. For nozzles detected as non-ejectable, the system applies non-ejection complementation (using adjacent nozzles to compensate), while for normal nozzles, standard density unevenness correction is applied. This localized approach prevents excessive correction in specific areas
Data Source
AI summary
To enable highly accurate density unevenness correction while suppressing a reduction in productivity in printing accompanying correction value calculation for density unevenness correction. Based on an image obtained by scanning a chart including patches having uniform density for each tone value, a density characteristic of each nozzle is acquired. A non-ejectable nozzle that cannot eject ink normally is detected by analyzing a pattern for detecting the non-ejectable nozzle in the image obtained by scanning the chart. At the time of acquiring the density characteristic, the density characteristic is acquired based on a density measured value of an area of the image, which corresponds to a nozzle that is not detected as the non-ejectable nozzle.