Recording Head Swath Merging via Sub-Scan Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatus face challenges in merging sub-images without artifacts, particularly due to misalignments between image pixel arrangements, which can result in banding and other visual defects, and current methods to mitigate these issues are costly or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a recording head with multiple channels that form image swaths with specific sub-scan pitch adjustments, allowing for precise merging of halftone images with different screen angles by disabling recording channels and adjusting sub-scan spacing between merge lines to align with integer multiples of determined pitches, thereby reducing visual artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sub-images are merged to increase productivity, then output per unit time is improved, but visual artifacts such as banding appear due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal merge line locations in a lookup table before image formation. The system determines sub-scan pitch values and corresponding merge line positions in advance, allowing rapid artifact-free merging during operation without real-time computation, thus maintaining high productivity while eliminating visual artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of merge line positioning by adjusting sub-scan pitch to specific values stored in the lookup table. By selecting merge lines at predetermined sub-scan positions that correspond to integer multiples of the sub-scan pitch, the system ensures proper alignment of image pixels across merged sub-images, eliminating banding artifacts while maintaining efficient multi-swath operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If recording channels are disabled to adjust image swath width, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the recording head configuration adaptable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically enable or disable specific recording channels based on the required image swath width and the pre-stored optimal merge line locations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same recording head to achieve different swath widths with optimal alignment precision for each configuration, without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If exacting specifications are used to reduce artifacts, then visual quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by using a pre-computed lookup table that stores optimal merge line locations and sub-scan pitch values. Instead of requiring expensive real-time computation hardware or complex manufacturing tolerances, the system copies proven optimal parameters from the lookup table based on the specific imaging conditions, achieving high visual quality at lower cost through pre-solved optimization problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming an image comprising a first halftone image having a first screen angle and a second halftone image having a second screen angle. A recording head forms a plurality of image swaths. Each swath is merged with another swath at a merge line. A row of cells in the first halftone image is selected and a first sub-scan pitch of the cells in the row cells is determined. A first sub-scan spacing between two adjacent merge lines in the first group of swaths is equal to an integer multiple of a first sub-scan pitch. A row of cells in the second halftone image is selected and a second sub-scan pitch of the second cells in the row of second unit cells is determined. The recording head is reconfigured by disabling at least one of the recording channels forms the second halftone image.