Print Head Overlap Data Generation With Distributed Sub-Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of recording heads in a printing apparatus leads to an increased load on the controller when generating print data for overlapping parts, due to the need for applying masks to the print data, which can result in density deviations if the recording heads are misaligned.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a main controlling circuit and a sub-controlling circuit group, where each sub-controlling circuit generates print data for overlapping areas, reducing the load on the main controlling circuit by distributing the data processing among the sub-controlling circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of recording heads is increased to improve printing coverage and efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the load on the controller increases due to the need to generate print data for overlapping parts
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into a main controlling circuit and multiple sub-controlling circuits, each responsible for specific recording heads. The sub-controlling circuits independently generate print data for overlapping areas, distributing the computational load and preventing the main controller from becoming overloaded as the number of heads increases
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-controlling circuit generates print data for overlapping areas autonomously based on local head positions and overlap information, without requiring constant intervention or processing from the main controller. This self-service capability allows the system to scale efficiently
2Manufacturing precision
If masks are applied to print data to compensate for recording head position deviations, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the processing time increases due to the additional data generation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mask application process is segmented and distributed across multiple sub-controlling circuits. Each sub-circuit handles mask generation for its specific recording heads independently, parallelizing the overall process and reducing total processing time while maintaining precision compensation
Solution Approach 2:
Print data for overlapping areas is generated in advance by sub-controlling circuits before the actual printing process. This preliminary generation of corrected print data with masks applied allows the main controller to simply transmit the pre-processed data, significantly reducing real-time processing requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a main controlling circuit; a sub-controlling circuit group including a k-th sub-controlling circuit and a k+1-th sub-controlling circuit (k representing a natural number); and a head group including a k-th head and a k+1-th head. In a case where the main controlling circuit transmits print data to the sub-controlling circuit group, the k-th sub-controlling circuit obtains, from the print data, data with which printing is performed by the k-th head and transfers the print data, from which the obtained data is excluded, to the k+1-th sub-controlling circuit. The print data includes overlap data with which the printing is performed in an overlap area. The k+1-th sub-controlling circuit generates first print data and second print data based on the overlap data.