Apparatus and Method For Precision Application and Metering of A Two-Part (Binary) Imaging Solution in An Ink Jet Printer
First Claim
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1. A method of applying a binary imaging solution to a print media, comprising the steps of:
- determining with a processor an amount of colorant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to a pixel location on the print media;
determining with said processor an amount of reactant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to the pixel location on the print media to provide the colorant and the reactant in a predetermined ratio, wherein the predetermined ratio comprises characteristic of said colorant and said reactant that is necessary for proper chemical curing of the imaging solution; and
applying the colorant and the reactant to the print media at the pixel location in accordance with the predetermined ratio.
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Abstract
A multi-color ink jet printing system uses a two-part (Binary) imaging solution, where the precise mixture of the multiple fluid parts (Colorant(s) and Reactant) is controlled with the use of multiple drop size (Grey Scale) ink jet print heads. The precise mixture of colorant(s) and reactant initiates a chemical reaction, which cures the imaging solution into a solid or nearly solid compound that ensures proper drop location.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of applying a binary imaging solution to a print media, comprising the steps of:
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determining with a processor an amount of colorant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to a pixel location on the print media; determining with said processor an amount of reactant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to the pixel location on the print media to provide the colorant and the reactant in a predetermined ratio, wherein the predetermined ratio comprises characteristic of said colorant and said reactant that is necessary for proper chemical curing of the imaging solution; and applying the colorant and the reactant to the print media at the pixel location in accordance with the predetermined ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for applying a binary imaging solution to a print media, comprising the steps of:
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determining with a processor a sum total volume of colorant that is to be applied to a pixel location on the print media by all of a plurality of colorant channels of at least one print head; multiplying with a processor said sum total volume by a mixture ratio to determine a proper volume of reactant to be applied to the same pixel location; if the sum total volume of reactant is larger than a volume that can be applied by a single channel of reactant, or if a better granularity of a mixture ratio can be achieved by distributing the volume of reactant to different drop sizes across multiple channels, then distributing the volume of reactant accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for applying a binary imaging solution to a print media, comprising:
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a processor configured for determining an amount of colorant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to a pixel location on the print media; said processor configured for determining an amount of reactant that is to be applied by at least one grey scale print head to the pixel location on the print media to provide the colorant and the reactant in a predetermined ratio, wherein the predetermined ratio comprises characteristic of said colorant and said reactant that is necessary for proper chemical curing of the imaging solution; and at least one print head for applying the colorant and the reactant to the print media at the pixel location in accordance with the predetermined ratio. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for applying a binary imaging solution to a print media, comprising:
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a processor configured for determining a sum total volume of colorant that is to be applied to a pixel location on the print media by all of a plurality of colorant channels of at least one print head; said processor configured for multiplying said sum total volume by a mixture ratio to determine a proper volume of reactant to be applied to the same pixel location; if the sum total volume of reactant is larger than a volume that can be applied by a single channel of reactant, or if a better granularity of a mixture ratio can be achieved by distributing the volume of reactant to different drop sizes across multiple channels, then said processor configured for distributing the volume of reactant accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification