Printing Control Device Nozzle Failure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in maintaining image quality when a normal nozzle fails to discharge ink to a pixel intended for a nozzle that is supposed to discharge ink, leading to issues like banding and blank spots due to discharge failures.
Innovation Solution
A printing control device and method that identifies discharge-failing nozzles, generates corrected printing data by associating ink discharge with alternative positions, and adjusts the printing process to ensure ink is discharged at these positions, preventing repeated discharge failures and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-pass printing is used to print one raster with a plurality of different nozzles, then discharge failure of a single nozzle can be compensated, but image quality deteriorates when a normal nozzle fails to discharge ink to the intended pixel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of discharge-failing nozzles and pre-calculates alternative nozzle assignments before actual printing. The printing data is corrected in advance to associate pixels with alternative nozzles that are guaranteed to function, preventing image quality deterioration from the outset rather than attempting compensation after failure occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing step that creates a mapping between pixels and functional nozzles through corrected printing data. This intermediary layer of data structure allows the system to bypass failing nozzles and route ink discharge through alternative nozzles, maintaining image quality despite nozzle failures
2Manufacturing precision
If ink is discharged to alternative positions when a nozzle fails, then image quality can be maintained, but the printing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex task of identifying alternative nozzles and recalculating printing data is performed preliminarily before actual printing. By pre-processing the printing data to account for nozzle failures, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during printing, reducing operational complexity while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies discharge-failing nozzles and self-corrects the printing data without external intervention. The printing control device autonomously determines alternative nozzle assignments and generates corrected printing data, reducing the need for manual troubleshooting or complex external control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A printing control device includes a nozzle information obtainment unit that obtains the position of a discharge-failing nozzle which fails to discharge ink in a printing head which includes a nozzle array, a data generation unit that generates printing data in which a dot position is associated with a nozzle which discharges ink so that a raster which is one line and is configured by a plurality of dot positions is configured through multiple times of a scan, and a data correction unit that specifies a first position which is the position where ink is discharged by a discharge-failing nozzle and corrects the printing data so that non-discharge of ink is associated with the first position, and discharge of ink is associated with a second position between which the first position is interposed when discharge of ink is associated with the first position in the printing data generated.