Liquid Ejecting Head Selection System for Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in finding a liquid ejecting head that meets their specific printer specifications due to varying ink and ambient conditions, leading to time-consuming and troublesome processes when dealing with multiple manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a characteristics acquirer, selector, and notifier that acquires and selects the most suitable liquid ejecting head based on ejection characteristics information, facilitating the selection and notification of the appropriate head to the user without burdening them with repeated manufacturer interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user purchases a liquid ejecting head and builds it in a printer, then the user can obtain printer functionality, but the user may not be able to satisfy desirable ejection conditions depending on ink and ambient conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection performanceVSAvoidadaptability to different ink and ambient conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-acquiring ejection characteristics information for multiple liquid ejecting heads before the user needs to make a selection. The system stores this information in advance and uses it to automatically select the most suitable head based on the user's specific ink and ambient conditions, eliminating the need for the user to perform repeated trials or contact manufacturers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information processing system that acts as a mediator between the user and the liquid ejecting heads. This system acquires, stores, and processes ejection characteristics information, then automatically selects the appropriate head based on matching the user's conditions with the stored characteristics, relieving the user from direct manufacturer interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the user contacts the head manufacturer repeatedly to find a suitable liquid ejecting head, then the user can eventually find a matching product, but the process becomes time-consuming and troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematching accuracyVSAvoidtime for repeated manufacturer interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-acquiring and storing ejection characteristics information for multiple liquid ejecting heads before any user selection is needed. This advance preparation enables instant matching when a user provides their requirements, eliminating repeated manufacturer interactions and significantly reducing the time required to find a suitable product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the stored ejection characteristics information to automatically evaluate and select the most suitable liquid ejecting head based on the user's specified conditions. The system compares user requirements with stored characteristics and provides feedback in the form of an automated selection, eliminating the need for iterative manual communication with manufacturers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of liquid ejecting heads are available, then the user can find a suitable product, but the selection process becomes complex and burdensome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of head optionsVSAvoidease of selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically perform the selection process without requiring the user to manually evaluate multiple head options. The user simply inputs their requirements, and the system autonomously compares these with stored ejection characteristics information to identify and present the most suitable liquid ejecting head, greatly simplifying the selection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information processing system that manages the complexity of selecting from multiple liquid ejecting heads. This intermediary automatically processes user requirements, retrieves relevant ejection characteristics information, performs matching, and presents the optimal selection, shielding the user from the complexity of evaluating multiple options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230294397A1System, and non-transitory storage medium storing server program or client program

Publication Date: 2023.09.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A system includes a characteristics acquirer, a selector, and a notifier. The characteristics acquirer acquires pieces of ejection characteristics information regarding ejection characteristics of a plurality of heads different from one another. The selector selects a first liquid ejecting head from among the plurality of heads based on the pieces of ejection characteristics information. The notifier notifies a user of information regarding the first liquid ejecting head.