Print Data Generation for Multipath Inkjet Speed and Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recording devices face challenges in simultaneously improving printing speed and suppressing image degradation in multipath systems, where reducing the number of scans to enhance productivity leads to image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that alternately repeats scans in the main-scanning and sub-scanning directions, calculates a reference number of scans by adding 1 to the product of scans in both directions, divides image data into unit images, assigns scan counts, and generates print data to distribute pixel recording across nozzle groups, effectively reducing image degradation while increasing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of scans is reduced to improve printing speed, then productivity increases, but image degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image data into multiple unit images and the nozzle array into multiple nozzle groups. By segmenting the recording task across different unit images and nozzle groups, the system can distribute the scanning workload, reducing the total number of scans needed while maintaining image quality through coordinated use of segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by assigning scan counts to different regions of the image and different nozzle groups. This multi-dimensional approach (combining spatial segmentation with scan order control) allows optimization of both printing speed and image quality simultaneously by recording some regions with fewer scans while others receive more scans.
2Productivity
If the number of scans is reduced to increase productivity, then output per unit time increases, but recording precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different scan counts to different regions of the image and different nozzle groups based on their specific requirements. Rather than uniformly reducing scans across the entire image, the system selectively reduces scans in regions where it maintains adequate recording precision, while preserving higher scan counts in regions requiring greater precision.
3Productivity
If scans are distributed across nozzle groups to improve speed, then printing efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both the image data and nozzle array into manageable units, which simplifies the control logic for each segment. While the overall system handles multiple nozzle groups and unit images, each individual segment processes simpler data, making the complexity distributed and manageable rather than concentrated in a single complex processing step.
Data Source
AI summary
A calculating unit calculates, as a reference number N of scans, a sum by adding 1 to a product M of the number m of scans in a main-scanning direction and the number n of scans in a sub-scanning direction. An assigning unit assigns, as a count of scans indicating a scan order, an integer 1 or more and the product M or more to each pixel of a unit image. A changing unit changes the count of scans of some pixels to which a first scan is assigned to an N-th scan. The generating unit generates print data, in which nozzle groups from a nozzle group arranged on a downstream end in the sub-scanning direction to a nozzle group arranged on an upstream end are sequentially assigned to pixels from the pixels to which the first scan is assigned to the pixels to which the N-th scan is assigned.