Inkjet Nozzle Array Permutation Patterns for Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording techniques using multiple nozzle arrays for ejecting the same color ink often result in unintended patterns due to characteristic variations, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves scanning nozzle arrays in a specific pattern where each array ejects ink along a scanning direction, allowing for multiple permutation patterns of nozzle combinations per row, and includes a reselection process to rearrange nozzle arrays and detect failed nozzles, ensuring varied ejection characteristics and preventing repetitive patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzle arrays are repeatedly used in order for ejecting the same color ink, then the recording speed is improved, but unintended patterns are generated repeatedly due to characteristic variation of nozzle arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle array selection dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit changes the order of nozzle array usage based on permutation patterns, so that the same nozzle arrays are not repeatedly used in the same sequence. This dynamic reordering resolves the contradiction by maintaining high recording speed while preventing repetitive unintended patterns through varied nozzle combination permutations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle array selection order by introducing permutation patterns. Instead of using nozzle arrays in a fixed sequential order, the system varies the selection order according to multiple permutation patterns (e.g., AB, BA for two arrays; ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA for three arrays). This parameter change maintains productivity while improving image quality by eliminating repetitive patterns caused by characteristic variations.
2Device complexity
If a fixed permutation pattern of nozzle arrays is used, then the control complexity is reduced, but repetitive patterns appear in the recording image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by systematically cycling through multiple permutation patterns in a regular manner. The control unit switches between different permutation patterns (first permutation pattern, second permutation pattern, etc.) in a periodic fashion as recording progresses. This periodic variation prevents repetitive patterns in the recording image while maintaining manageable control complexity through systematic pattern cycling.
3Productivity
If all nozzle arrays are used continuously, then the recording efficiency is maximized, but failed nozzles cannot be detected and replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a detection mechanism that identifies failed nozzles and uses this information to adjust the recording process. When a nozzle is detected as failed, the control unit records this information and selects alternative nozzle arrays from the remaining functional ones. This feedback loop maintains recording efficiency by continuing to use multiple nozzle arrays while ensuring reliability by excluding failed nozzles from the selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards failed nozzle arrays from the recording process and recovers by using alternative functional nozzle arrays. When nozzle failure is detected, the system discards the failed nozzle(s) and重新 selects from the remaining operational nozzle arrays, ensuring continuous recording operation without the failed components while maintaining overall recording efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of improving the quality of recorded images in ink jet recording technologies in which a plurality of nozzle lines that discharge ink of the same color are used. As a solution, nozzle lines (10) of n columns (where n is a natural number of three or more) each record a recording pixel column (2) on a recording medium by discharging ink of the same color while scanning over the recording medium (1); and when the nozzle lines (10) of n columns each extract a recording pixel column (2), which is recorded in a single scan, for each n columns in the scanning direction, ink is discharged in such a manner that there are at least two permutation patterns for the nozzle columns (10) that record each column of the extracted recording pixel columns (3).