Methods and apparatus for precision control of print head assemblies
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving data representative of an image;
converting the data into pixel data including drop size information; and
controlling a print head based on the pixel data,wherein the drop size information specifies a quantity of fluid per drop;
wherein the pixel data includes pixels, each pixel is represented by N bits, and the N bits represent a drop size;
wherein the drop size is related to a pulse voltage and the N bits specify a pulse voltage; and
wherein the pulse voltage may be a voltage within a range of voltages from Vmin to Vmax, and wherein a set of possible voltage values between Vmin to Vmax includes pulse voltage values that are stored in a database for each value of i from 1 to (2N−
1).
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling the quantity of fluid output (e.g., drop size) by individual nozzles of a print head to a very high precision at a frequency equal to the frequency at which fluid is normally dispensed. This is achieved by mapping fluid quantity control information into the data that represents the image to be printed. Data representative of an image is received and converted into pixel data. In at least one embodiment, the pixel data includes pixels represented by N bits, and the N bits may represent a drop size for the pixel and a union of the N bits may represent a nozzle status. A print head may be controlled based on the pixel data, and the print head may include nozzles that are each adapted to deposit at least one drop size quantity of a fluid on a substrate.
160 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving data representative of an image; converting the data into pixel data including drop size information; and controlling a print head based on the pixel data, wherein the drop size information specifies a quantity of fluid per drop; wherein the pixel data includes pixels, each pixel is represented by N bits, and the N bits represent a drop size; wherein the drop size is related to a pulse voltage and the N bits specify a pulse voltage; and wherein the pulse voltage may be a voltage within a range of voltages from Vmin to Vmax, and wherein a set of possible voltage values between Vmin to Vmax includes pulse voltage values that are stored in a database for each value of i from 1 to (2N−
1). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
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determining a desired volume of ink per unit area to be deposited within a first sub-pixel well, the first sub-pixel well having a predefined area; and based on data representative of an image of a filter including at least a second sub-pixel well having an area different than the predefined area, depositing ink within at least the second sub-pixel well using a drop size and a number of drops that most closely match the determined desired volume of ink per unit area. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a controller including at least one driver; a print head coupled to the controller and adapted to be controlled by the driver based on pixel data; and a memory coupled to the controller and adapted to store data representative of an image converted into pixel data wherein; the pixel data includes a plurality pixels, each pixel is represented by N bits, the N bits represent a drop size, and a union of the N bits represents a nozzle status; wherein the driver includes logic adapted to convert the drop size into a pulse voltage operable to cause a nozzle of a plurality of nozzles of the print head to dispense a volume of fluid related to the drop size; and wherein the logic is adapted to relate each possible value of the drop size to a pulse voltage within a range of voltages from Vmin to Vmax, and wherein a set of possible pulse voltage values between Vmin to Vmax includes pulse voltage values that are stored for each value of i from 0 to (2N−
2). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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receiving data representative of an image; converting the data into pixel data including drop size information; and controlling a print head based on the pixel data, wherein the drop size information specifies a quantity of fluid per drop; wherein the pixel data includes pixels, each pixel is represented by N bits, and the N bits represent a drop size; wherein the drop size is related to a pulse voltage and the N bits specify a pulse voltage; and wherein the pulse voltage may be a voltage within a range of voltages from Vmin to Vmax, and wherein a set of possible voltage values between Vmin to Vmax includes pulse voltage values that equal Vmin+[i*(Vmax−
Vmin)/(2N−
2)] for each value of i from 0 to (2N−
2). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification