Printer Carriage Scanning for Ink Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face inefficiencies when performing overprinting, leading to increased processing loads and data volumes, which can result in decreased performance during multi-pass methods.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the necessary scanning number of times for a printer carriage to increase the maximum ink density, using multi-pass scans with different nozzles for each pass, to manage ink ejection efficiently and improve printing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If overprinting is performed by moving the carriage multiple times to increase ink density, then printing quality is improved, but processing load and data volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overprinting process into multiple passes, where each pass handles a specific portion of the ink ejection. The print data is divided into multiple data sets corresponding to different passes, allowing the system to manage complex multi-scan printing tasks in smaller, more manageable units. This segmentation reduces the processing load on the print data generation device by breaking down the overall task into sequential steps rather than handling all data at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing print data for multiple passes before actual printing begins. The system generates and stores the complete set of print data for all required passes in advance, allowing the printer to execute the overprinting process without real-time processing delays. This preliminary preparation reduces the processing load during actual printing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If overprinting is performed by moving the carriage multiple times to increase ink density, then printing quality is improved, but data volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print data into multiple smaller data sets, each corresponding to a specific pass. Instead of generating one large data set containing all ink ejection information for multiple passes, the system creates separate data sets that can be processed and transmitted independently. This segmentation reduces the peak data volume that needs to be handled at any one time, making data management more efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by generating print data only for the specific portions of ink ejection needed in each pass, rather than generating complete data for all possible ink ejections across all passes. The system calculates and stores data selectively for each pass based on the actual printing requirements, reducing unnecessary data generation and lowering overall data volume.
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-pass scans are used with different nozzles for each pass to optimize ink distribution, then ink ejection uniformity is improved, but the number of scans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different nozzles to different passes based on their specific characteristics and performance. Each nozzle is optimized for particular ink ejection patterns, and the system selectively uses appropriate nozzles for each pass to achieve uniform ink distribution. This localized optimization ensures that each pass contributes effectively to the overall printing quality without requiring excessive scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as nozzle selection, ejection timing, and ink volume for each pass to optimize the printing process. By varying these parameters across different passes, the system achieves uniform ink distribution while minimizing the total number of scans required. The print data generation device calculates optimal parameter settings for each pass based on the desired ink density and pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a memory storing computer-readable instructions to cause the apparatus to perform determining a scanning number of times. The scanning number of times is a number of times that a carriage of a printer is to be moved to increase a maximum density of a first ink to be higher than a unit density. The instructions also cause the apparatus to perform generating print data to cause ejection of the first and a second ink by multi-pass scans in a final printing unit. The final printing unit is continuous scans corresponding to a number of passes including a last scan, among the scans to be performed the scanning number of times. The second ink is an ink whose density is equal to or less than the unit density, among the different inks.