Inkjet Nozzle Use Rate Control for Density Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face issues with density differences in overlapping and non-overlapping regions due to nozzle row overlap, leading to streaks in the output image, caused by ink properties and medium errors during sub-scan feeding.
Innovation Solution
A recording control device and method that adjust the use rate of nozzle rows in overlapping regions by setting distinct use rates for different portions of the output image, ensuring a higher use rate for the first nozzle row in continuous regions and a lower use rate for the second nozzle row in non-continuous regions, thereby minimizing appearance differences and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a recording head including a plurality of nozzle rows that partially overlap each other is used, then the recording width is increased, but density differences occur between overlapping and non-overlapping regions causing streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the use rate of nozzle rows based on spatial position. In overlapping regions, the use rate is adjusted differently compared to non-overlapping regions. Specifically, in continuous portions of the output image, the first nozzle row is used at a higher rate than the second nozzle row, while in non-continuous portions, the use rates are equalized. This localized adjustment eliminates density differences and streaks while maintaining increased recording width.
2Device complexity
If the overlapping range is divided into portions printed by former and later paths, then the recording process is simplified, but density differences and streaks still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle row use rate dynamically based on the continuity of image portions and the specific region (overlapping vs. non-overlapping). By adjusting the use rate parameter - higher for the first nozzle row in continuous portions and equal rates in non-continuous portions - the system maintains simple recording process division while achieving uniform density without streaks.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording control device. A first portion control section forms a first portion as a portion that is continuous from a first region and is not continuous to a second region in a recording region in an output image that is formed on a medium in an overlapping region in a recording region, in such a manner that a use rate of a first nozzle row of an overlapping portion of a nozzle row is set to a first nozzle use rate. A second portion control section forms a second portion as a portion that is continuous with the first region and the second region in the output image in the overlapping region, in such a manner that the use rate of the first nozzle row of the overlapping portion is set to the second nozzle use rate.