Printer Density Correction via Integrated Imaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently correcting density irregularities, such as banding, due to limitations in reading speed, positional errors, and the need for medium translocation, which complicates the process and reduces accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize an imaging device integrated within the printing apparatus to acquire imaging data of a correcting pattern directly, allowing for on-site correction without medium translocation, using overlapping regions for accurate data synthesis and noise reduction, and calculating correction values internally for immediate tone value correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If line scanning is used to read the correcting pattern in a scanner, then the correcting pattern can be read to acquire image data, but the reading speed is limited and it takes a long time to acquire the correction value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading accuracyVSAvoidreading speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical line scanning system with an imaging device that captures the entire correcting pattern simultaneously. This substitution eliminates the sequential line-by-line reading process, dramatically increasing reading speed while maintaining measurement accuracy through the imaging device's ability to capture the full pattern in one shot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the medium is translocated to a scanner for reading, then the correcting pattern can be read, but it takes a long time and introduces positional errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidtranslocation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the printing apparatus and the imaging device into a single integrated system. The imaging device is mounted on the printing apparatus to directly image the correcting pattern on the medium without translocation. This integration eliminates the time-consuming medium transfer process and ensures position accuracy by maintaining the same coordinate system throughout the printing and imaging processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the medium is translocated to a scanner, then the correcting pattern can be read, but there is a shift between the correcting pattern position and the scanned image position causing positional errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the printing apparatus and the imaging device into a single integrated system. The imaging device is mounted on the printing apparatus to directly image the correcting pattern on the medium without translocation. This integration eliminates the time-consuming medium transfer process and ensures position accuracy by maintaining the same coordinate system throughout the printing and imaging processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the medium to the scanner for imaging, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the imaging device to the medium. The imaging device is mounted on the printing apparatus and images the correcting pattern in its original position, eliminating the need for medium translocation and the associated positional errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Measurement precision

If line scanning is used to read the correcting pattern, then the correcting pattern can be read, but it takes a long time to perform banding correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection accuracyVSAvoidcorrection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical line scanning system with an imaging device that captures the entire correcting pattern simultaneously. This substitution eliminates the sequential line-by-line reading process, dramatically increasing reading speed while maintaining measurement accuracy through the imaging device's ability to capture the full pattern in one shot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables rapid and accurate correction of density irregularities with reduced positional errors and simplified system configuration, improving printing quality by eliminating the need for external devices and minimizing the impact of medium movement.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring imaging data by imaging, by an imaging device mounted in a printing apparatus, a correcting pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10218878B2Method for correcting density irregularity, printing apparatus, and imaging module

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer performs a method for correcting density irregularity that includes: acquiring imaging data by imaging, using an imaging device mounted in a printer, a correcting pattern that is used to correct density irregularity, which contains a strip region (first pattern) with first density and a strip region (second pattern) with second density different from the first density; and correcting the density irregularity based on the imaging data.