Printer Ink Control Dynamic Multipass Adjustment

The patent applies dynamics by making the number of multipasses variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the number of multipasses based on real-time evaluation of print conditions (ink ejection amount, residual ink amount, print pattern density). When print density is low and residual ink is sufficient, the system uses fewer passes (sometimes zero multipasses). When print density is high or residual ink is low, it increases passes accordingly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary time extension while maintaining ink supply reliability.

The patent changes the parameter of multipass count from a static threshold-based value to a dynamically calculated value based on multiple parameters including ink ejection amount, residual ink amount, and print pattern density. By evaluating the required ink amount against the ejectable amount and adjusting the number of passes accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between preventing ink shortage and minimizing printing time.

The system dynamically determines the number of multipasses based on actual ink requirements rather than using a fixed conservative approach. By calculating the required ink amount based on print data and comparing it with the ejectable amount from the ink cartridge, the system increases passes only when necessary to prevent ink shortage, rather than always increasing passes. This maintains ink usage efficiency while preserving printing productivity.

The patent applies partial action by increasing the number of multipasses only for specific bandwidths where ink shortage risk exists, rather than applying multipasses uniformly across the entire print area. The control unit divides the print area into multiple bandwidths and evaluates each independently, applying additional passes only where the required ink amount exceeds the ejectable amount, thus maintaining productivity while improving ink usage efficiency where needed.

The patent segments the print area into multiple bandwidths in the main scanning direction and evaluates ink requirements for each segment independently. This allows the system to apply division printing (multiple passes) only to specific bandwidths where the required ink amount exceeds the ejectable amount, rather than applying it uniformly to the entire print area. The control unit processes each bandwidth separately, determining the appropriate number of passes based on local ink requirements, thus preventing ink shortage in critical areas while maintaining efficiency in areas with sufficient ink.

The system applies local quality by making the number of passes location-dependent rather than uniform across the entire print area. Different bandwidths may have different numbers of passes assigned based on their specific ink requirements, print pattern density, and residual ink conditions. This localized approach ensures ink supply reliability where needed while avoiding unnecessary time extension in areas where single-pass printing suffices.