Print Head Control Device for Overlap Region Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in preventing character thickening during overlap printing, particularly when using multiple nozzles, which can result in banding defects and reduced printing speed.
Innovation Solution
A control device for a printing execution unit that alternately executes partial printing and movement of the printing medium, adjusting the movement amount based on whether a character region or non-character object region is at the upstream end of the printing area, to control the overlap region length and prevent character thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If overlap printing is performed using two or more nozzles, then banding is suppressed, but character thickening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different printing strategies to different regions of the print image. Character regions use single-nozzle printing to prevent thickening, while non-character regions use multi-nozzle overlap printing to suppress banding. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region according to its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The print image is segmented into character regions and non-character regions based on image analysis. This segmentation allows the system to apply appropriate printing methods to each segment, preventing character thickening while maintaining banding suppression in other areas.
2Reliability
If the printing medium is moved by a smaller amount between partial printings, then the overlap region length increases and banding is suppressed, but character thickening worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the movement amount between partial printings based on the content being printed. For character regions, a larger movement amount is used to prevent thickening, while for non-character regions, a smaller movement amount maintains overlap for banding suppression. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the movement parameter based on the printed content type. By analyzing the image data and identifying character regions, the system modifies the conveyance amount parameter to prevent character thickening while maintaining appropriate overlap for other regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If single-nozzle printing is used for character regions, then character thickening is prevented, but printing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies single-nozzle printing only to character regions where precision is critical, while using multi-nozzle printing for non-character regions to maintain speed. This localized approach prevents character thickening without sacrificing overall printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial single-nozzle printing only where necessary (character regions) rather than applying it to the entire image. This partial application maintains printing speed while preventing character thickening in the specific areas that require it.
4Productivity
If the printing medium is moved by a larger amount between partial printings, then printing speed increases, but the overlap region length decreases and banding suppression is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different movement amounts to different regions: larger movements for character regions to maintain speed, and smaller movements for non-character regions to ensure sufficient overlap for banding suppression.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a printing execution unit including a printing head, a head drive unit, and a movement unit, wherein, in a case where a non-character object region is located at an upstream end of a partial region which is configured to be printed by a first partial printing: dots are formed in a first overlap region by both the first partial printing and a second partial printing, the first overlap region including the upstream end of the partial region, wherein, in a case where a character region is located at the upstream end of the partial region, dots are formed in a second overlap region by both the first partial printing and the second partial printing, the second overlap region including the upstream end of the partial region, and wherein a length of the second overlap region is shorter than a length of the first overlap region.