Print Controller Multi-Pass Nozzle Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers face challenges in balancing printing speed and image quality when using a combination of operations to form ink dots with a moving print head and convey the printing medium, often requiring longer times for improved quality or sacrificing quality for speed.
Innovation Solution
A print controller that controls a print executing unit with a print head having L nozzles arranged in a first direction, where the print controller acquires image data and generates print data to execute a printing process by alternately repeating unit printing and moving processes, using different nozzle combinations and varying movement distances to optimize dot formation and conveyance patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a configuration is designed to improve image quality by using multiple pass processes and varying conveyance distances, then image quality is improved, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is divided into multiple pass processes (first pass, second pass, third pass) where different nozzle groups are used in each pass. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high image quality through multiple scanning operations while managing printing time by optimizing which nozzles are active in each pass, rather than using all nozzles simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the print head (different nozzle groups) are selectively activated for different pass processes. The first nozzle group is used in the first pass, the second nozzle group in the second pass, and the third nozzle group in the third pass. This local quality approach ensures that each region contributes optimally to the overall image quality while controlling the total printing time.
2Productivity
If all nozzles are used in each pass process to maximize printing speed, then printing speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to periodic streaks and banding
Solution Approach 1:
The L nozzles are segmented into multiple groups (first nozzle group, second nozzle group, third nozzle group) that are activated in different pass processes. This segmentation prevents all nozzles from being used simultaneously, eliminating periodic streaks and banding while maintaining high printing speed through optimized multi-pass processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes which nozzle groups are active based on the pass process number. The control unit selectively activates different nozzle groups for different passes, creating a dynamic printing pattern that prevents periodic streaks while maintaining efficient printing speed.
3Device complexity
If the same nozzle combination is used in all pass processes to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality suffers from defective nozzle repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is segmented into multiple groups that are selectively activated in different pass processes. This segmentation ensures that if one nozzle is defective, other nozzles can compensate by being used in different passes, maintaining image quality while keeping control relatively simple through predefined activation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the activation parameters of different nozzle groups based on the pass process number. By varying which nozzle groups are active in each pass, the system compensates for potential nozzle defects and maintains consistent image quality without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A print controller controls a print executing unit having a print head in which L nozzles are arranged in a first direction. A pitch of first nozzles in the first direction is set to a first predetermined nozzle pitch. The print controller generates print data based on image data. The print data causes the print executing unit to execute N pass printing. A pitch of lines formed through N pass printing is one N-th of the first predetermined nozzle pitch. At least one of the L number of first nozzles is unused for forming dots on the printing medium in each pass printing. Combinations of the first nozzles used in the N number of pass processes are different from one another. A movement distance of the print head when the first moving process is executed once is different from that when the second moving process is executed once.