EP0863004A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Dynamic multi-pass print mode corrections to compensate for malfunctioning inkjet nozzles
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Described is a dynamic multi-pass print mode correction method which corrects for malfunctioning or inoperable ink ejection elements by substituting a fully functioning ink ejection element. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a printmask; identifying ink ejection elements which are malfunctioning; ascertaining potential replacement ink ejection elements from the printmask for the ejection elements which are malfunctioning; selecting replacement ink ejection elements from the potential replacement ink ejection elements; and modifying the printmask by removing the malfunctioning ink ejection elements from the printmask and replacing them with the selected replacement ink ejection elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Shailendra Kumar
- 👤 Javier Lagares
- 👤 Gonzalo Gaston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/0451; B41J2/04561; B41J2/0458
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of correcting for malfunctioning ink ejection elements in a
printing system using multiple passes over a recording medium, comprising the
steps of: obtaining (60) a standard printmask; identifying (62) ink ejection elements which are malfunctioning; ascertaining (64) from the standard printmask alternative replacement ink
ejection elements for the ejection elements which are malfunctioning; selecting (66) replacement ink ejection elements from the alternative
replacement ink ejection elements; and modifying (68) the standard printmask by removing the malfunctioning ink
ejection elements from the printmask and replacing them with the selected
replacement ink ejection elements to create a modified printmask.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining step (60) includes
obtaining data specifying a pixel grid of rows and columns, the pass used to print
a particular pixel location and the ink ejection element used to print a particular
pixel location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying step (62) includes
using an acoustical drop ejection detection to identify malfunctioning ink ejection
elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying step (62) includes
using an optical drop ejection detect to identify malfunctioning ink ejection
elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining step (64) includes
obtaining data specifying an alternative ink ejection element and an alternative pass to print a
row of pixels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining step (64) includes
obtaining data from a printer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining step (64) includes
obtaining data from a printer driver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said selecting step (66) includes
selecting a replacement ink ejection element which would be used in an non-adjacent
pass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said selecting step (66) includes
selecting a replacement ink ejection element which is located in the middle an
array of ink ejection elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps (60 - 68) are performed
for the entire printmask.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps (60-68) are performed
for the printmask individually for each pass.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of printing using multiple scanning passes over a
recording medium and correcting for malfunctioning ink ejection elements,
comprising the steps of: obtaining (60) a standard printmask defining a pixel grid of rows and
columns and the ink ejection element which ejects on a particular row and column
of the pixel grid in a particular pass; identifying (62) ink ejection elements which are malfunctioning; ascertaining (64) alternative ink ejection elements for the ejection elements
which are malfunctioning; selecting (66) replacement ink ejection elements from the alternative
replacement ink ejection elements; modifying (68) the standard printmask by removing the malfunctioning ink
ejection elements from the printmask and replacing them with the selected
replacement ink ejection elements to create a modified printmask; and ejecting ink drops onto the recording medium in multiple scanning passes
over the recording medium in accordance with the modified printmask.
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