Inkjet Overlap-Processing Condition Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in selecting appropriate recording conditions for overlap-processing in inkjet printers to maintain uniform image quality, leading to visible unevenness and misalignment in recorded images.
Innovation Solution
A recording condition determining method and device that performs test recording with varying dot allocation masks, dot sizes, and drive voltages to identify optimal overlap-processing conditions, allowing for the selection of the best recording conditions based on patch quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If overlap-processing is applied to prevent white stripes at band boundaries, then image continuity is improved, but image quality uniformity deteriorates due to visible density differences between processed and unprocessed regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying multiple recording parameters (dot allocation masks, dot sizes, drive voltages) to find optimal overlap-processing conditions. This resolves the contradiction by adjusting parameters to achieve both image continuity and uniformity simultaneously, making the overlap region indistinguishable from non-overlap regions.
2Manufacturing precision
If appropriate overlap-processing conditions are selected to suppress image quality differences, then image quality uniformity is improved, but user operation complexity increases due to difficulty in selecting optimal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the recording device to automatically determine optimal overlap-processing conditions through test recording and automated evaluation. The device performs multiple test recordings with different parameters, evaluates image quality automatically, and selects optimal conditions without requiring user expertise, thus improving image quality uniformity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using automated image quality evaluation of test recordings to guide the selection of optimal recording conditions. The system records test images, evaluates their quality, and uses this feedback to determine the best parameters for overlap-processing, eliminating the need for manual condition selection while ensuring high image quality uniformity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple test recordings are performed with different recording conditions to determine optimal parameters, then determination accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing a limited number of strategically designed test recordings with specific parameter combinations rather than exhaustive testing. This approach achieves sufficient determination accuracy for optimal overlap-processing conditions while minimizing time consumption, balancing thoroughness with efficiency.
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
Enables the determination of appropriate recording conditions for overlap-processing, reducing image quality differences and allowing users to easily select optimal settings for uniform image output.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of nozzles 17 that eject dots of liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
A recording condition determining method is executed by a recording device performing recording by a main scanning (P1, P2, P3, P4), in which while moving a recording head (15) in a main scanning direction (D1, D2), dots are ejected from nozzles (17) onto a recording medium (30), and a sub scanning, in which the recording medium is transported in a sub scanning direction (D3). The method includes a patch recording step of recording patches (45) onto the recording medium by the overlap-processing in which the main scanning is performed on a partial region of the recording medium in an overlapping manner a plurality of times, the patch recording step including recording the patches at a plurality of different positions in the main scanning direction by a plurality of types of the overlap-processing under respectively different recording conditions. The method further includes a selection accepting step of accepting selection of a patch from among a plurality of the recorded patches, and a determination step of determining, as the recording condition of the overlap-processing of an actual recording, the recording condition of the overlap-processing associated with the patch selected in the selection accepting step.