Inkjet Recording Head Position Adjustment Chart with Inclination Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the recording position due to mounting errors or manufacturing defects, leading to shifts in the recording position, which existing methods struggle to correct accurately when the recording position adjustment chart is placed inclined on a document positioning plate.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that records a recording position adjustment chart with varying patterns of irregularity or roughness to determine the adjustment value, including a mark for detecting inclination, allowing for accurate adjustment even when the chart is inclined, by analyzing the degree of irregularity or roughness of pixel values across different patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the recording position adjustment chart is placed on a document positioning plate for reading, then the recording position can be adjusted, but if the chart is placed inclined, the density measurement becomes inaccurate due to shaggy effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechart placement flexibilityVSAvoiddensity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter being measured from density (luminance) to irregularity or roughness of pixel values. This parameter change makes the measurement insensitive to chart inclination, as irregularity measurement remains accurate even when the chart is placed at an angle on the document positioning plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the optical density measurement mechanism with a digital image processing mechanism that analyzes pixel value irregularity. This substitution allows the use of standard scanning technology without requiring precise mechanical alignment of the chart

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple patterns with different shifting amounts are used to determine recording position adjustment, then the adjustment accuracy can be improved, but the complexity of the adjustment chart and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording position adjustment accuracyVSAvoidadjustment chart complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes from measuring density to measuring irregularity or roughness of pixel values. This parameter change simplifies the evaluation criterion to a single metric (irregularity degree) that can be directly calculated from image data, reducing processing complexity while maintaining the ability to evaluate multiple patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment chart itself contains all the information needed for self-adjustment. By recording multiple patterns with different shifting amounts and having the system automatically analyze their irregularity, the system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction without requiring external intervention or complex manual procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8991969B2Apparatus and method for controlling a recording head for recording onto a recording medium

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 CANON KK

AI summary

The present invention includes a recording control unit configured to record a recording position adjustment chart including a pattern for adjusting a recording position of a recording head for discharging ink, and a determination unit configured to determine an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position based on data of the pattern included in the recording position adjustment chart read as image data, in which the recording position adjustment chart includes a mark for detecting an inclination in reading the recording position adjustment chart.