Print Artifact Compensation Using Neighboring Nozzle Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uniformity compensation methods for printhead nozzles in high-speed production printers are inefficient and often fail to adequately correct print artifacts caused by defective nozzles, requiring multiple iterations and additional printing of test patterns.
Innovation Solution
A print artifact compensation mechanism that generates inverse transfer functions to compensate for non-functioning pel forming elements, using ink deposition functions associated with neighboring functioning elements to generate compensated halftones, thereby mitigating print artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing uniformity compensation methods are used, then print uniformity can be improved, but the process requires multiple iterations and additional printing of test patterns, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of the printhead to establish a lookup table of ink deposition functions for each nozzle position. This pre-computed data enables direct compensation without iterative testing, allowing the compensation to be applied immediately when defects are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model (lookup table) that copies and stores the ink deposition characteristics of each nozzle position. This virtual copy allows the system to simulate and compensate for defective nozzles by referencing the stored characteristics of neighboring nozzles, eliminating the need for physical retesting.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing compensation methods are used, then some print artifacts can be corrected, but the compensation is insufficient for defective nozzles requiring multiple iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different compensation strategies to different regions of the printhead based on their specific characteristics. By maintaining a lookup table of ink deposition functions for each local nozzle position and using neighboring nozzle characteristics for compensation, the system achieves accurate and reliable compensation tailored to each local defect.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple iterations of compensation are performed, then print uniformity improves, but the time required for compensation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all necessary compensation calculations and stores them in a lookup table during an initial characterization phase. When actual compensation is needed, the system simply retrieves pre-computed values from the lookup table, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative calculations and reducing compensation time significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system includes at least one physical memory device to store compensation logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device to execute the compensation logic to generate first and second sets of inverse transfer functions to compensate for a non-functioning pel forming element, wherein each set of inverse transfer functions is generated for a corresponding group of functioning pel forming elements based on ink deposition functions associated with the corresponding group and a joint target response; wherein the non-functioning pel forming element is located between functioning pel forming elements of the corresponding groups and generate compensated halftones based on the first and second sets of inverse transfer functions.