Measuring Pattern Gravity Center Alignment for Ink Drop Shift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring shifts in record positions of ink drops due to misalignment of recording element arrays and incorrect discharge timing, leading to blurred or low-quality color images.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus that includes a measuring pattern recording unit to record patterns with identical gravity centers on a recording medium, allowing for precise calculation of relative record shifts by using a read unit to acquire and process image data from these patterns, thereby adjusting recording positions with high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measuring patterns with different gravity centers are used, then the measurement process can be completed, but the calculation of position shifts becomes inaccurate due to errors in determining pattern coordinates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the measuring pattern with non-coincident gravity centers for different color patterns. This asymmetric configuration creates a measurable spatial relationship that allows accurate calculation of position shifts between recording element arrays, resolving the contradiction between completing measurement and avoiding coordinate determination errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the measuring pattern as an intermediary object that bridges the recording process and measurement process. By recording patterns with known, deliberately positioned gravity centers, the system creates a reference framework that mediates between the physical recording element positions and the computational measurement, enabling accurate position shift calculation without direct measurement of the recording elements themselves.
2Manufacturing precision
If recording element arrays are positioned with high precision, then image quality improves, but the complexity of alignment and adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically measure and calculate position shifts using the recorded patterns. The measuring pattern serves as a self-contained reference that allows the system to self-diagnose alignment issues and compute correction data without requiring external measurement equipment or complex manual adjustment procedures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where the position shift calculation results are fed back to adjust the recording element array positions. The measuring pattern provides a reference state, the system measures deviations, calculates shift values, and uses this feedback information to correct alignment, thereby achieving high precision without proportionally increasing complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus records a plurality of measuring patterns on a recording medium. Each measuring pattern is constituted by dots spaced from one another on the recording medium, or by dots contacting one another, forming lines spaced from one another on the recording medium. Further, the measuring patterns have gravity centers are almost identical in position on the recording medium. Hence, the relative record shifts of the measuring patterns recorded by recording element arrays, respectively, can be decreased.