Defective Nozzle Locating Mechanism Using Evaluation and Locator Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanisms for detecting defective nozzles in high-speed production printers are inefficient in terms of ink and paper consumption, and struggle to accurately locate defective nozzles due to factors like paper shrinkage and ink spread.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes defective print element determination logic to identify defective nozzles using evaluation marks and locator marks applied to the print medium, allowing for accurate detection and compensation, while minimizing ink and paper usage through optimized flushline and locator patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If comb patterns are used to detect nozzle defects, then defect detection capability is improved, but ink and paper consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the print medium into distinct regions: a compact evaluation region containing evaluation marks for defect detection and a separate locator region containing locator marks for nozzle identification. This segmentation allows defect detection to be performed in a compact area rather than requiring comb patterns across the entire print medium, significantly reducing ink and paper consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different mark types and densities to different regions of the print medium. The evaluation region contains evaluation marks optimized for defect detection, while the locator region contains locator marks optimized for identifying specific nozzles. This local differentiation allows each region to serve its specific function efficiently without wasting resources in areas where it is not needed.
2Loss of substance
If compact print patterns are used to reduce ink and paper consumption, then resource usage is improved, but ability to locate defective nozzles deteriorates due to paper shrinkage and ink spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces locator marks as intermediary reference elements in the locator region. These locator marks serve as mediators between the compact evaluation marks and the actual nozzle positions. By detecting the positions of locator marks and calculating their expected positions based on print instructions, the system can compensate for paper shrinkage and ink spread effects, thereby maintaining accurate nozzle location identification even in compact patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the solution by separating evaluation marks and locator marks into different regions and using the relative positional relationships between them. The locator marks provide reference information in both the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, creating a two-dimensional reference framework that enables accurate nozzle location calculation even when the overall pattern is compact.
3Reliability
If large patterns or sacrificial pages are removed from production workflow for defect detection, then defect detection capability is improved, but productivity and workflow efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the defect detection function with the regular printing workflow by incorporating evaluation marks and locator marks into the normal print output. Instead of requiring separate sacrificial pages or large test patterns that must be removed from production, the system integrates defect detection marks into the actual print medium, allowing continuous monitoring without interrupting the printing workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation marks and locator marks serve multiple functions: they enable defect detection, identify specific defective nozzles, and can be integrated into regular production prints. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated test pages or separate detection workflows, allowing the same print medium to serve both production and quality control purposes simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes at least one physical memory device to store defective print element determination logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device to execute the defective print element determination logic to receive a print image comprising evaluation marks and locator marks applied to a print medium by a plurality of pel forming elements according to print instructions and identify pel forming elements associated with print defect pels in the print image among the plurality of pel forming elements based on the evaluation marks, the locator marks and the print instructions.