초록 ▼

Ink jet printing apparatus and method using timing control of electronic waveforms for variable gray scale printing while eliminating image artifacts and while also reducing printing time and improving accuracy of ink droplet placement on a receiver medium. More specifically the prints an output ima

Ink jet printing apparatus and method using timing control of electronic waveforms for variable gray scale printing while eliminating image artifacts and while also reducing printing time and improving accuracy of ink droplet placement on a receiver medium. More specifically the prints an output image on a receiver medium in response to an input image file defined by a plurality of pixels, each pixel obtaining a pixel value. The apparatus includes a print head and a plurality of nozzles integrally attached to the print head. Each of the nozzles is capable of ejecting a plurality of ink droplets therefrom. A waveform generator generates a plurality of electronic waveforms, each of the waveforms being defined by a plurality of electric pulses supplied to the nozzles for ejecting the ink droplets. A printer performance look-up table is also provided for storing a plurality of waveform serial numbers therein. Each of the waveform serial numbers is associated with each one of the electronic waveforms and each of the waveforms is defined by waveform parameters. A controller connected to the look-up table and the waveform generator generates the waveform parameters. This configuration allows the waveforms to accurately place the ink droplets on the receiver medium. A calibrator adapted to receive the input image file for converting the pixel values thereof to a plurality of waveform index numbers is associated with respective ones of the waveform serial numbers and outputs a calibrated image file. The apparatus further comprises an image halftoning unit connected to the calibrator for halftoning the calibrated image file. In addition, the apparatus includes a nozzle selector interconnecting the waveform generator and the print head for selecting predetermined ones of the nozzles for actuation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inkjet printing apparatus for printing an output image in response to an input image file defined by a plurality of pixel values, comprising:(a) a nozzle capable of ejecting a plurality of ink droplets of variable volume therefrom;(b) a waveform generator connected to

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inkjet printing apparatus for printing an output image in response to an input image file defined by a plurality of pixel values, comprising:(a) a nozzle capable of ejecting a plurality of ink droplets of variable volume therefrom;(b) a waveform generator connected to said nozzles for generating a plurality of electronic waveforms each preceded by a starting time delay, each of the waveforms defined by a plurality of electric pulses supplied to said nozzles for ejecting the ink droplets therefrom;(c) a storage location associated with said waveform generator, for storing a plurality of waveform serial numbers therein associated with each one of the electronic waveforms, each of the waveforms being defined by waveform parameters;(d) a controller connected to said storage location and the waveform generator for generating the waveform parameters allowing the waveforms to eject the ink droplets from said nozzles so as to accurately place the ink droplets on a receiver medium; and(e) a calibrator adapted to receive the input image file for converting the pixel values thereof to a plurality of waveform index numbers obtained from a continuous waveform function, the waveform index numbers being associated with respective ones of the waveform serial numbers defining a calibrated image file.