Inkjet Droplet Satellite Compensation for High-Speed Barcode Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed mail processing systems using drop-on-demand ink-jet technology face limitations in maintaining the readability of 2D barcodes due to print growth caused by droplet satellites, which restricts the maximum speed of medium transport and throughput.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves adjusting the printing of pixels based on the status of the following pixel, where if a black pixel is followed by a white pixel, the column of dots closest to the white pixel is not printed, and the adjacent column in a black pixel is staggered to prevent satellites from affecting pixel size, thereby maintaining image readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If drop-on-demand ink-jet technology is used for high-speed printing, then printing speed and throughput are improved, but print growth occurs due to droplet satellites which reduces image readability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the image data to identify black pixels followed by white pixels before printing. For these identified pixels, the method proactively adjusts the dot pattern by removing the rightmost column of dots and staggering adjacent columns, preventing satellite droplets from affecting the white pixel boundary before the printing process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different printing strategies to different regions of the image based on local conditions. Specifically, it modifies the dot pattern only for black pixels that are followed by white pixels, while leaving other pixels unchanged. This localized adjustment maintains pixel size consistency at critical boundaries without affecting the overall printing speed or quality of other regions.
2Productivity
If medium transport speed is increased to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but droplet satellites cause print growth which degrades image readability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the image data to identify black pixels followed by white pixels before printing. For these identified pixels, the method proactively adjusts the dot pattern by removing the rightmost column of dots and staggering adjacent columns, preventing satellite droplets from affecting the white pixel boundary before the printing process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different printing strategies to different regions of the image based on local conditions. Specifically, it modifies the dot pattern only for black pixels that are followed by white pixels, while leaving other pixels unchanged. This localized adjustment maintains pixel size consistency at critical boundaries without affecting the overall printing speed or quality of other regions.
3Shape
If the column of dots closest to a white pixel is printed, then the black pixel appears complete, but satellites from these dots fall into the white pixel causing print growth
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the image data to identify black pixels followed by white pixels before printing. For these identified pixels, the method proactively adjusts the dot pattern by removing the rightmost column of dots and staggering adjacent columns, preventing satellite droplets from affecting the white pixel boundary before the printing process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different printing strategies to different regions of the image based on local conditions. Specifically, it modifies the dot pattern only for black pixels that are followed by white pixels, while leaving other pixels unchanged. This localized adjustment maintains pixel size consistency at critical boundaries without affecting the overall printing speed or quality of other regions.
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 significantly reduces or eliminates print growth, ensuring high readability of images even at high speeds, allowing for increased throughput in mail processing systems without compromising image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
When a droplet is discharged from a nozzle, it leaves a tail and forms a main droplet and satellites
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for using ink-jet technology for high speed printing are provided. Print growth between pixels in an image is significantly reduced or eliminated by adjusting the printing of the pixels based on the status of the following pixel to be printed, i.e., whether the following pixel is either black or white. If a black pixel, formed by a plurality of columns of dots, is being followed by a white pixel, the column of dots closest to the white pixel will not be printed, and the column of dots in the black pixel next to the column of dots closest to the white pixel are staggered such that the pixel appears filled despite the absence of the column of dots closest to the white pixel and will still be properly read as a black pixel by a scanner reading the image.