Inkjet Printing Step Shift Correction Using Pattern Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing systems face challenges in accurately calculating step shift due to lateral perforations on the print medium, which can lead to incorrect or inaccurate determination of shift amounts, especially when the step-shift correcting chart overlaps with perforations.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus and method that includes a chart printing device for printing a step-shift correcting chart, a reading device for reading the chart, a print medium-processed portion detecting device to identify and eliminate the influence of perforations, and a shift-amount calculating device to accurately determine the shift amount using an uninfluenced chart, ensuring precise calculation of step shift even with processed portions like lateral perforations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a step-shift correcting chart is printed on the print medium to determine step shift amount, then the step shift can be corrected, but the processed portion (lateral perforation) of the print medium cannot be distinguished from the correcting chart, causing failure or inaccuracy in shift amount calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the correcting chart into multiple regions with different patterns (first region with first pattern, second region with second pattern). This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between the correcting chart and lateral perforations by analyzing the specific patterns in each region, thereby preventing misidentification and ensuring accurate shift amount calculation even when perforations are present on the print medium.
2Productivity
If the step-shift correcting chart is printed on print medium with lateral perforations, then printing can proceed, but the perforations cause the reading device to fail or inaccurately analyze the correcting chart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different patterns (which can be interpreted as visual/color distinctions) in different regions of the correcting chart. The first region has a first pattern and the second region has a second pattern, allowing the reading device to distinguish between the correcting chart elements and lateral perforations based on pattern recognition, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the presence of perforations on the print medium.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an inkjet printing apparatus configured to perform printing by discharging ink droplets onto a print medium. The apparatus includes a printing head having a plurality of inkjet heads and configured to perform printing by discharging the ink droplets from the plurality of inkjet heads onto the print medium; a chart printing device configured to print a step-shift correcting chart with the printing head; a reading device configured to read the step-shift correcting chart printed on the print medium; a print medium-processed portion detecting device configured to detect a processed portion of the print medium; an uninfluenced step-shift correcting-chart generating device configured to generate an uninfluenced step-shift correcting chart; and a shift-amount calculating device configured to calculate a shift amount for correcting the step shift in accordance with the uninfluenced step-shift correcting chart.