Inkjet Printer Test Pattern Detection for Margined and Marginless Modes

Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in detecting unsatisfactory ink ejection states during both margined and marginless printing modes, as the detection region for test patterns is unfixed and cannot accurately determine the ink ejection state for ejection ports used in either mode, leading to incomplete detection of unsatisfactory ports.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet printing apparatus is designed with separate units for margined and marginless printing modes, including a print mode setting unit, test pattern end detection units, and ejection state detection units that specifically detect the ink ejection state for ejection ports used in each mode, allowing for targeted detection and supplementation of unsatisfactory ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single test pattern detection region is used for both margined and marginless printing modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of ink ejection state detection deteriorates because the detection region cannot accurately correspond to the actual used ejection ports in each mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection region configurationVSAvoidink ejection state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection region is segmented into mode-specific configurations: a first detection region for margined printing mode and a second detection region for marginless printing mode. Each region is independently defined to correspond to the actual used ejection ports in its respective printing mode, ensuring accurate detection while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection region configuration is made dynamic by automatically selecting between the first detection region and the second detection region based on the printing mode. The system adapts the detection region to match the actual used ejection ports regardless of whether margined or marginless printing is performed, ensuring continuous accurate detection without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the detection region is fixed for marginless printing, then the measurement precision for marginless mode is maintained, but the adaptability to detect unsatisfactory ejection ports in margined printing mode is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy for marginless modeVSAvoiddetection capability across printing modes

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detection region configuration is made dynamic by automatically selecting between the first detection region and the second detection region based on the printing mode. The system adapts the detection region to match the actual used ejection ports regardless of whether margined or marginless printing is performed, ensuring continuous accurate detection without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system achieves multi-functionality by using a single unified detection mechanism that can accurately detect unsatisfactory ejection ports in both margined and marginless printing modes. The system universally handles both printing modes through mode-specific detection regions that are automatically selected, eliminating the need for separate detection systems while maintaining accuracy for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If separate detection regions are defined for margined and marginless printing modes, then the measurement precision for each mode is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple detection region configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink ejection state detection accuracy for each modeVSAvoiddetection region configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection region is segmented into mode-specific configurations: a first detection region for margined printing mode and a second detection region for marginless printing mode. Each region is independently defined to correspond to the actual used ejection ports in its respective printing mode, ensuring accurate detection while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection region configuration is made dynamic by automatically selecting between the first detection region and the second detection region based on the printing mode. The system adapts the detection region to match the actual used ejection ports regardless of whether margined or marginless printing is performed, ensuring continuous accurate detection without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8985727B2Inkjet printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 CANON KK

AI summary

An inkjet printing apparatus is provided that can establish a test pattern detection region according to the printing format, where performing printing by way of a margined printing and a marginless printing is possible. The inkjet printing apparatus detects the position of both ends of the test pattern. In the case of a margined printing, a detection of the ink ejection status is performed with respect to ejection ports that perform printing at a region between both ends of the margined test pattern, and that eject the ink forming the pixels of the margined test pattern. In the case of a marginless printing, a detection of the ink ejection status is performed with respect to ejection ports that perform printing at a region between both ends of the marginless test pattern, and that eject the ink forming the pixels of the marginless test pattern.