Tilted Operating Device Array for High-Resolution Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing and scanning apparatuses face a limit in achieving high resolution due to the size of operating devices, and existing solutions are costly and inefficient in enhancing resolution beyond a certain point.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus arranges operating devices in a rectangular pattern tilted relative to the advance direction, using a mapping algorithm to control pixel value transfer between devices and storage elements, allowing for increased resolution without requiring motion perpendicular to the advance direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If operating devices are arranged as close together as possible to enhance resolution, then resolution is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to the upper limit imposed by device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by tilting the array of operating devices relative to the advance direction. Instead of simply reducing the spacing between devices in one dimension, the array is rotated by a tilting angle α, which distributes devices across multiple scan lines. This allows the system to achieve higher effective resolution by utilizing the transverse direction (perpendicular to advance direction) in combination with the advance direction, effectively adding a dimensional component to the resolution achievement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by implementing a mapping algorithm that dynamically assigns pixel values to operating devices based on the tilting angle and relative positions. As the object moves in the advance direction, the control unit dynamically determines which operating device should receive which pixel value from the image storage, allowing the fixed tilted array to effectively cover the entire image area without requiring physical repositioning of devices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple two-dimensional pixel arrays are used to achieve high resolution, then resolution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image into multiple scan lines, where each scan line is processed by a one-dimensional array of operating devices. The tilted array configuration naturally creates this segmentation, with different rows of the tilted array corresponding to different scan lines. This allows the system to achieve high resolution equivalent to multiple two-dimensional arrays but using a single physical array, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining resolution.
3Productivity
If operating devices are arranged in a tilted array with mapping algorithm, then resolution and operating speed are improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the mapping relationships between pixel values and operating devices in a lookup table or memory structure. The mapping algorithm determines in advance which pixel value should be transferred to which operating device based on the tilting angle and device positions. This preliminary preparation allows the control unit to quickly transfer pixel values during operation without performing complex real-time calculations, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining high operating speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling an apparatus, in particular a marking apparatus and/or a scanning apparatus, for printing a digital image on an object and/or scanning an object to create a digital image of the object, wherein the digital image comprises pixels arranged in image columns and image rows, wherein the apparatus comprises an operating head having a plurality of operating devices, in particular marking devices and/or sensing devices, wherein the object is moved relative to the operating head in an advance direction, in which the pixel values are transferred between the operating devices and an image storage comprising storing elements arranged in storage columns and storage rows for storing pixel values, particularly in which the operating devices are time dependently supplied with pixel values of the digital image from the image storage, and/or pixel values sensed by the operating devices are transferred to the image storage to form the digital image. The inventive method is characterized in that the operating devices are arranged in an array of array rows and array columns, such that a rectangular pattern of the operating devices is formed, the array of operating devices is tilted by a tilting angle with regard to the advance direction, and the operating devices are controlled according to a mapping algorithm that defines between which operating device and which storing element of the image storage a pixel value is transferred based on the tilting angle. The invention further relates to an apparatus for printing and/or scanning, to a computer program, and a computer program product.