Inkjet Printer Control Apparatus for Drying Non-Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses with multiple drying units can experience uneven drying performance, leading to uneven density in printed images, which reduces the accuracy of calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that sets a specific region on the printing medium based on the position of each drying unit and prints an adjustment pattern for calibration within that region, thereby minimizing the impact of uneven drying performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple drying units are arranged to dry ink on printing medium, then drying efficiency is improved, but uneven drying performance occurs leading to reduced calibration accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designating specific drying units as reference drying units with assumed uniform drying performance, while other drying units are compensated based on measured density differences. This allows the system to maintain high productivity from multiple drying units while achieving calibration accuracy by treating reference regions differently from other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical uniformity of drying performance with a computational compensation system. Instead of requiring all drying units to have identical physical characteristics, the system uses density measurement and calculation to substitute for the mechanical uniformity that would otherwise be needed for accurate calibration.
2Speed
If multiple drying units are used to dry printed images, then processing speed is improved, but uneven density occurs in the printed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual density of printed images in regions dried by different drying units, comparing these measurements to reference values, and using the differences to calculate compensation values. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high processing speed while correcting density non-uniformity through computational adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calibration is performed across the entire printing medium, then comprehensive color correction is achieved, but accuracy is reduced due to uneven drying performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the printing medium into reference regions (dried by reference drying units) and other regions (dried by other drying units). Calibration is performed separately for each segment with appropriate compensation applied to non-reference regions. This allows comprehensive calibration coverage while maintaining accuracy by treating each segment according to its specific drying characteristics.
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 allows for more accurate calibration by ensuring that the adjustment pattern is printed in a region where the drying performance is consistent, thereby reducing the occurrence of uneven density and improving the stability of the printed image.
Implementation Method 1
multiple drying units arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and configured to dry the liquid ejected on the printing medium
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a control apparatus configured to control a printing apparatus including a conveyance unit configured to convey a printing medium along a first direction, a printing unit configured to eject a liquid onto the conveyed printing medium, and multiple drying units arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and configured to dry the liquid ejected on the printing medium, the control apparatus including: a setting unit configured to set a region on the printing medium based on information of a position in which each of the multiple drying units is arranged; and a control unit configured to cause the printing unit to print an adjustment pattern for calibration in the region set on the printing medium.