Printing Apparatus Check Pattern Printing on Narrow Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full-line type printing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently printing check patterns to check the printing state of the printing head, particularly when using print media with widths smaller than the maximum printable width, leading to increased complexity and risk of print media jamming due to the need for large print media or frequent position changes.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that allows selection of an appropriate print medium based on stored options, using a selection unit and printing control unit to print check patterns on the print medium using a portion of the printing head's printable region corresponding to the selected medium's size, eliminating the need for large media or frequent position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large size print medium corresponding to the maximum printable width is used to print a check pattern, then the printing state of the entire printing head region can be checked, but it is burdensome for users to prepare large size print media and increases the risk of print media jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The check pattern printing process is segmented into multiple passes. Instead of printing the entire check pattern on one large print medium, the system divides the printing into multiple smaller segments, each printed on a separate print medium that fits within the maximum printable width. This allows comprehensive checking of the printing head while using smaller, more reliable print media sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the print medium orientation is changed (between longitudinal feeding and transverse feeding) to use smaller print media, then the check pattern can be printed on smaller media, but it requires changing relative positions between the print medium and the printing head
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing process parameters based on the selected print medium size and orientation. Rather than physically changing the relative positions of the printing head and print medium through complex mechanisms, the control unit modifies the printing pattern coordinates and feed amounts to accommodate different media configurations, maintaining system simplicity while achieving adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism for moving the print medium in the width direction is provided to change relative positions, then check pattern printing on smaller media is enabled, but it causes complication of the conveyance mechanism, increase in apparatus size, and increase in frequency of print media jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the position adjustment function from the physical conveyance mechanism and relocates it to the digital control domain. Instead of adding mechanical components to move the print medium in the width direction, the system uses the existing conveyance mechanism with modified control parameters to achieve the same effect through software-based position calculation and coordination.
4Measurement precision
If check pattern printing is performed two or more times by changing relative positions, then the entire region of the printing head can be checked, but it increases the frequency of print media jamming and apparatus size
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the optimal printing strategy before actual check pattern printing. The control unit determines the sequence of printing passes, feed amounts, and positioning based on the selected print medium characteristics, ensuring that multiple printing operations can be completed on a single print medium without requiring repositioning or causing jamming, thus maintaining reliability while achieving complete checking coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A print medium is conveyed in a first direction and a printing head prints an image on the print medium by using a printable region of the print head that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction. Storing units can feed multiple sorts of print media. Among the multiple sorts of the print media, the print medium to print a check pattern for checking a printing state of the printing head is selected as the print medium to be fed from the corresponding storing unit. The check pattern is printed on the print medium by using a portion of the printable region of the printing head corresponding to a size of the print medium fed from the storing unit.