Print Data Editing Device Sub-Dot Shift Peak Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices face challenges in maintaining printing quality due to limited peak current supply, leading to poor reproducibility and reduced printing speed, as they shift dots between lines to manage peak current, resulting in noticeable changes in the print image.
Innovation Solution
A print data editing device and method that edits print data by maximizing coincidence between input and output image columns, allowing for finer sub-dot shifts and reduced peak current, thereby improving printing quality without compromising speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If dots are shifted between lines in units of dots to suppress peak current, then the peak current value is reduced, but the reproducibility of the input image deteriorates and printing quality worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a dot in the sub-scanning direction into multiple sub-dots (e.g., 3 sub-dots per dot). This segmentation allows the print data editing device to perform shift operations in units of sub-dots rather than entire dots, enabling finer adjustment of dot positions. By shifting in sub-dot units, the system can distribute peak current suppression across multiple smaller adjustments while maintaining better image fidelity compared to coarse dot-level shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different shift amounts to different columns of dots based on local image characteristics. The print data editing device calculates optimal shift amounts for each column individually, allowing some columns to be shifted by one sub-dot while others remain unchanged or shift by different amounts. This localized approach ensures that peak current is suppressed while minimizing visible artifacts in specific regions of the print image.
2Power
If conventional dot-shifting method is used to manage peak current, then power consumption is controlled, but printing speed is reduced and image reproducibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically adjusts shift amounts for each column based on the distribution of ON dots and current consumption patterns. The print data editing device analyzes the input image and determines optimal shift amounts that balance peak current suppression with printing efficiency. This dynamic optimization allows the system to achieve peak current management without the need for excessive dot shifting that would slow down printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of shift resolution from dot-level to sub-dot level. By introducing sub-dots as a finer granularity unit, the system can achieve smoother transitions and more precise control over dot positioning. This parameter change enables the system to suppress peak current while maintaining higher printing speeds because fewer and smaller adjustments are needed compared to conventional dot-level shifting.
3Power
If dots are shifted by large amounts between lines, then peak current is suppressed, but noticeable changes appear in the print image
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting dots into sub-dots, the invention enables small incremental shifts instead of large jumps. The print data editing device can shift columns by fractions of a dot (e.g., 1/3 or 1/4 of a dot), which are imperceptible to the human eye. This segmentation approach allows peak current suppression through cumulative small shifts rather than single large shifts, maintaining image fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial shifting to only those columns that require peak current suppression, rather than uniformly shifting all columns. The print data editing device selectively adjusts shift amounts for specific columns based on their dot distribution patterns, applying minimal necessary shifts to achieve peak current management while leaving other columns unchanged, thus avoiding unnecessary image degradation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively suppresses peak current in the print head, reduces noticeable changes in the print image, and enhances printing speed by allowing for more efficient energy distribution across print elements.
Implementation Method 1
A conventional printing device uses a thermal line head provided with a plurality of heating elements to print on a print medium
Data Source
AI summary
A print data editing device performs editing print data such that when dots constituting an input image represented by the print data are compared by units of columns before and after performing the editing, a coincidence is maximized when an image of each column in the input image after the editing is the same position as an image of the corresponding column in the input image before the editing or is shifted by a corresponding shift amount relative to the image of the corresponding column in the input image before the editing and an editing condition is met. The editing condition includes that an absolute value of at least one shift amount is one dot or greater, an absolute difference value for any two neighboring columns is one dot or less, and at least one absolute difference value for all possible combinations of two columns is less than one dot.