Method and system for detecting ink batches that degrade print quality in inkjet printing

A system comprising:

• a processor that is communicatively connected to a plurality of print devices via one or more communication networks:
• and
• a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:
• receive, from the plurality of print devices, operating data for the plurality of print devices over a time period, along with batch IDs for ink batches used by the print devices over the time period,
• store the operating data and the batch IDs for the ink batches in a data store,
• analyze the operating data and the batch IDs to identify deviations from a norm in the operating data, and
• upon identifying that the operating data associated with a particular batch ID includes deviations from the norm that exceed a threshold deviation in at least a threshold number of print devices, generate instructions to implement an action associated with the particular batch ID, and deploy the instructions to implement the action to the print devices.

A print device, comprising:

• an ink supply system;
• a printhead that is fluidly connected to the ink supply system to receive ink from an ink container of the ink supply system;
• a scanner;
• and
• a control system comprising a processor and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to, in response to detecting that the ink container has been placed into the ink supply system:
• send a code that is associated with the ink container to a server,
• in response to sending the code:
• if the print device receives a message from the server indicating that a batch of ink in the ink container is causing print defects, output an alert,
• otherwise:
• cause the printhead to engage in normal operations,
• wherein the normal operations comprise:
• cause the printhead to print a test pattern on a substrate,
• cause the scanner to scan the test pattern as printed on the substrate and generate scan data for the test pattern, and
• send the scan data to the server.

A method of identifying a batch of printer ink that may cause print quality degradation, the method comprising, by a processor that is communicatively connected to a plurality of print devices via one or more communication networks:

• receiving, from the plurality of print devices, operating data for the plurality of print devices over a time period, along with batch IDs for ink batches used by the print devices over the time period;
• for a group of the print devices that are using a particular ink batch at a point in time:
• sending a plurality of print settings to the group of print devices so that the print settings are varied among the print devices of the group,
• receiving scan data from the group of print devices, wherein the scan data includes information for test patterns printed by the group of print devices using the particular batch of ink and the varied print settings,
• selecting, from the varied print settings, one of the print settings for which the scan data exhibits x dot placement (xdp) rise that is relatively lower than that of at least some of the other scan data, and
• sending the selected print settings to the group of print devices for use in print operations.