Printer Ink Adjustment via Server Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses struggle to acquire optimal image adjustment values after a change in ink, leading to suboptimal image quality due to varying ink properties and the inability of servers to grasp specific image adjustment values for each inkjet head.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a communication interface to send device and expendable supply data to a server, which then provides pattern image and calculation program data for analyzing scanned images to calculate optimal image adjustment values, optimizing image quality and reducing unnecessary data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ink cartridge is replaced with a different ink cartridge containing user-desired ink, then the printing capability is changed to perform printing using the desired ink, but various image adjustment values such as ink landing position need to be changed to obtain image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus automatically detects the ink cartridge type through communication between the ink cartridge and controller, automatically acquires corresponding image adjustment values from storage, and automatically applies them without requiring manual user adjustment. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system adapt automatically to different inks while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores multiple sets of image adjustment values corresponding to different ink types and automatically selects the appropriate set based on the detected ink cartridge type. By changing the parameter (image adjustment values) according to the ink type, the system maintains optimal printing quality across different inks without requiring manual intervention.
2Loss of information
If the server is used to store and provide image adjustment values, then the ability to acquire parameters is enhanced, but the server cannot grasp which image adjustment values are currently best for each inkjet head
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores multiple sets of image adjustment values in the printing apparatus's storage unit, with each set specifically tailored to different inkjet heads and ink types. The controller selects and applies the locally appropriate adjustment values based on the specific inkjet head and ink cartridge combination, ensuring reliable and accurate image quality for each unique configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores multiple sets of image adjustment values corresponding to different ink types and inkjet heads in the storage unit before actual printing occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the controller to quickly retrieve and apply the correct adjustment values when an ink cartridge is installed, without requiring real-time calculation or server communication during printing operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If various types of data are sent to the server, then the server can select optimal pattern image data and calculation program data, but unnecessary data transmission and processing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the essential data elements (ink cartridge type information and inkjet head identification) to the server, excluding unnecessary data. The server uses this minimal data set to select and return only the specific pattern image data and calculation program data needed for the current configuration, eliminating unnecessary data transmission and processing while maintaining optimization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is configured to: acquire device configuration data indicating a configuration of the printer and expendable supply data indicating a characteristic of the expendable supply; drive the communication interface to send the device configuration data and the expendable supply data to the server; drive the communication interface to receive, from the server, pattern image data and calculation program data selected by the server based on the sent device configuration data and the sent expendable supply data, the pattern image data indicating a pattern image, the calculation program data being for use to analyze the pattern image; and analyze scanned image data using the calculation program data and calculate an image adjustment value for adjusting the printer, the scanned image data being acquired by scanning the pattern image printed by the printer.