System and method of compensating for defective inkjets
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsDavid Jon Metcalfe, Joel Chan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of compensating for a defective inkjet in an inkjet printer has been developed. A controller identifies pixels in binary image data corresponding to the defective inkjet. The controller identifies alternative pixel locations for non-defective inkjets to print ink drops proximate to the locations of the defective pixels. When an overlap parameter value identified between ink drops in alternative pixel locations and other ink drops around the alternative pixel locations exceeds a predetermined value, the controller changes the alternative pixel location for at least one ink drop to reduce overlap and improve image quality.
Claims22
A method for printing pixels in an image comprising:
- identifying a plurality of pixels in image data to be printed by an inoperable inkjet in a plurality of inkjets;
- identifying a first location in the image data for storage of a compensation pixel corresponding to one of the plurality of pixels to be printed by the inoperable inkjet, the first location being identified with reference to a predetermined sequence of pixel locations positioned about the one pixel to be printed by the inoperable inkjet;
- identifying an overlap parameter for ink to be ejected by the plurality of inkjets;
- storing the compensation pixel in a second location in the image data in response to the overlap parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold, the second location being a position in the predetermined sequence that is beyond the first location;
- and
- resetting the one pixel to be printed by the inoperable inkjet.
An inkjet printer comprising:
- a plurality of operable inkjets and an inoperable inkjet, each one of the operable inkjets being configured to eject ink onto an image receiving surface;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the plurality of inkjets and the inoperable inkjet, the controller being configured to:
- identify a plurality of pixels in image data to be printed by the inoperable inkjet;
- identify a first location in the image data for storage of a compensation pixel corresponding to one of the plurality of pixels to be printed by the inoperable inkjet, the first location being identified with reference to a predetermined sequence of pixel locations positioned about the one pixel to be printed by the inoperable inkjet;
- identify an overlap parameter for ink to be ejected by the plurality of operable inkjets;
- store the compensation pixel in a second location in the image data in response to the overlap parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold, the second location being a position in the predetermined sequence that is beyond the first location;
- and
- reset the one pixel to be printed by the inoperable inkjet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.