Unified Buffer Control for Multi-Row Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing multiple nozzle rows in ink jet printing apparatuses increases with the number of nozzle rows, leading to complicated buffer control and management.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a conveyance unit, encoder, and print engine that includes a first buffer for image data and a second buffer for print data, where the print engine converts image data into print data based on an interrupt signal from the encoder, simplifying buffer control by managing the transfer of data between buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzle rows is increased to improve printing speed, then productivity increases, but the complexity of buffer control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer management functions for multiple nozzle rows into a single unified buffer structure. Instead of having separate buffers for each nozzle row, one buffer is used to store print data for all nozzle rows, and the head controller manages data allocation within this single buffer, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining support for multiple nozzle rows
Solution Approach 2:
The single buffer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it stores print data for multiple nozzle rows and supports both data storage and data transfer operations. The buffer structure is made universal to handle different nozzle row configurations without requiring separate dedicated buffers for each row
2Ease of operation
If separate buffers are allocated for each nozzle row to simplify data management, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual buffers into one unified buffer that serves all nozzle rows. The head controller implements logical separation of data within this single buffer using pointers and offset management, achieving both simplified hardware structure and ease of data management through software-based organization
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus conveys a printing medium in a first direction, and includes an encoder that outputs a predetermined signal in accordance with a conveyance amount of the printing medium in the first direction, and a print head having a plurality of nozzle rows, each of which includes a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink, arrayed in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. In addition, a print engine is connected with the print head and performs conversion processing from image data into print data. The print engine has a first buffer storing the image data, has a second buffer storing the print data, and converts image data stored in the first buffer into print data in response to a first interrupt signal based on the predetermined signal output from the encoder, and stores the print data in the second buffer.