Print Nozzle Fault Detection via Homogenized Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining faulty print nozzles in inkjet printing devices are inefficient, as they only allow for the checking of primary color nozzles every four pages, leading to delayed detection of errors and reduced print quality due to the time-consuming and length-dependent threshold analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method where a test image is printed with multiple print nozzles activating dots in successive lines, allowing for homogenized image data analysis to detect faulty regions, enabling the detection of all print nozzles on each page and reducing the reaction time to nozzle failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a predetermined pattern of lines is printed over 2032 μm of total length with each print nozzle printing precisely one line, then the state of print nozzles can be determined through threshold analysis, but the checking is time-consuming and inefficient, and only print nozzles of one primary color can be checked every four pages
Solution Approach 1:
The test image is divided into multiple line rows with groups of lines, where different print nozzles print lines in different line rows. This segmentation allows parallel processing and enables all print nozzles of each primary color to be checked on each page instead of every four pages, significantly improving checking frequency and efficiency while maintaining determination accuracy through homogenized image data analysis
2Measurement precision
If a predetermined pattern of lines is printed with each print nozzle printing precisely one line, then the state of defined print nozzles can be determined, but the length of the pattern limits checking to only one primary color per page
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from checking one primary color per page to checking all primary colors simultaneously by utilizing multiple line rows arranged in successive lines. This dimensional expansion in the test image structure allows all print nozzles of each primary color to be checked on each page, reducing the determination reaction time from every four pages to every page without compromising accuracy
3Measurement precision
If threshold analysis is performed on each line individually, then the state of print nozzles can be determined, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the analysis of multiple lines into a homogenized image data analysis approach. Instead of performing threshold analysis on each line individually, the system analyzes homogenized image data from multiple line rows simultaneously, significantly reducing processing complexity and time while maintaining the accuracy needed to determine print nozzle states
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and a device for determining faulty print nozzles of a printing device, a plurality of print nozzles of at least one primary color are activated so that they print dots of a test image onto a recording medium, said dots forming lines as viewed in the printing direction, in a plurality of line rows that are successive as viewed in the printing direction and travel in the line direction. The lines of successive line rows are displaced counter to one another in the line direction, and the lines of each line row have a predetermined constant pitch from one another in the line direction. Furthermore, using an image detector, the printed test image is detected per pixel and image data are provided, wherein an image pattern processing implements a homogenization of the image data via filtering, evaluates the homogenized image data, and determines defective image regions.