Printing Apparatus Ink Dot Structure for Copy Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Copy machines fail to properly detect and copy color images formed on photoluminescent backgrounds due to low diffused reflection light, leading to inadequate copying performance.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with nozzles for ejecting white, clear, or photoluminescent ink to form a first dot beneath color ink dots on a photoluminescent ground layer, increasing diffused reflection light and ensuring proper copying by adjusting the ink duty and using photoluminescent ink with aluminum flakes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a color image is formed on a photoluminescent ground layer, then the visual appearance is enhanced, but the copying machine cannot properly detect the diffuse color component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appearance enhancementVSAvoiddetection of diffuse color component

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by forming a first dot with white, clear, or photoluminescent ink beneath the second dot (color image) before the copying process. This pre-formed dot modifies the light reflection characteristics of the photoluminescent ground layer, enabling the copying machine to detect sufficient diffuse reflection light while preserving the enhanced visual appearance of the color image on the photoluminescent background

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If photoluminescent ink is used to form a ground layer, then the printed matter has photoluminescent properties, but diffused reflection light percentage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoluminescent propertiesVSAvoiddiffused reflection light percentage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an intermediary approach by introducing a first dot layer composed of white, clear, or photoluminescent ink between the photoluminescent ground layer and the color image. This intermediary dot modifies the light interaction characteristics, increasing the percentage of diffused reflection light that reaches the copying machine sensor while maintaining the photoluminescent properties of the printed matter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively increases diffused reflection light, allowing for proper copying of both areas with and without color images on photoluminescent surfaces, even when the target medium has a photoluminescent layer or a color ink layer on it, thereby enhancing copying machine performance.

Implementation Method 1

the percentage of diffused reflection light is lower than that of a case where there exists a color image formed on a piece of ordinary paper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffused reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

using photoluminescent ink with aluminum flakes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS8622518B2Printing apparatus and printing method

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes: a first nozzle for ejecting clear ink to form a first dot; and a second nozzle for ejecting color ink to form a second dot, wherein, when forming a color image on a photoluminescent ground layer by means of the second dot, the first dot is formed at an area where the color image does not exist.