Printing Apparatus Overlapping Nozzle Switching Position Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in maintaining print quality when nozzle groups overlap, leading to image quality deterioration due to misalignment, especially in areas without a longitudinally recorded line or with varying dot formation frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and control apparatus that utilize a halftone processing unit to generate halftone data and a distribution processing unit to distribute this data between overlapping nozzle groups based on dot formation frequencies, defining a switching position to minimize print quality impact and achieve optimal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If halftone data is distributed between overlapping nozzle groups using a fixed boundary method, then the distribution process is simple, but image quality deteriorates due to misalignment in overlapping regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for boundary determination from a fixed longitudinal position to a dynamic selection based on dot formation frequency. The distribution processing unit calculates dot formation frequencies at different boundary positions and selects the position with the minimum frequency, thereby optimizing image quality while maintaining distribution functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If a halftone mask is used to perform recording using both adjacent recording heads, then coverage is improved, but print quality deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the overlapping portion differently. Instead of uniformly using both nozzle groups across the entire overlapping region, the method selectively determines boundary positions based on local dot formation frequencies, allowing high-quality output in critical areas while maintaining coverage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the boundary is set from a longitudinally recorded line, then character alignment is maintained, but quality deteriorates when no longitudinal line exists or graphics occupy the full width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the boundary position adaptive rather than fixed. The distribution processing unit dynamically calculates dot formation frequencies at various potential boundary positions and selects the optimal position based on the actual content being printed, whether it be text, graphics, or mixed content.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a printing apparatus configured to execute printing by a print head including an overlapping portion where a formation range of a first nozzle group and a formation range of a second nozzle group configured to eject ink of a same color as the first nozzle group at least partially overlap, wherein the printing apparatus includes an HT processing unit configured to generate HT data specifying a presence or absence of dots for each pixel based on image data, and a distribution processing unit configured to distribute the HT data into first HT data for driving the first nozzle group, and second HT data for driving the second nozzle group. The distribution processing unit is configured to define a switching position between the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group in the overlapping portion, based on a dot formation frequency of each nozzle position in the overlapping portion specified by, among the HT data, specific HT data corresponding to the overlapping portion, and distribute the specific HT data into the first HF data and the second HT data, based on the switching position.