This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Applications No. 2022-181821, filed on Nov. 14, 2022, and No. 2023-117081, filed on Jul. 18, 2023, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an image formation method, and a non-transitory recording medium.
Inkjet printers that eject ink onto a recording medium to form an image while relatively moving a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged and a recording medium are known. In such an inkjet printer, the image is formed by alternately repeating a main scanning operation in which ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium while moving the recording head in the main scanning direction and a sub scanning operation in which the recording head or the recording medium is moved in the sub scanning direction. In this case, a printed image formed by the inkjet printer is made up of a large number of dots formed by ejecting ink from a nozzle row. For this reason, in a case a dot formation position, which is a landing position of the ink on the recording medium, deviates from a predetermined target position, a clear printed image is not drawn on the recording medium such as paper. Techniques are known for correcting deviation in ink landing position caused by poor conveyance accuracy of the recording medium or nozzle ejection characteristics of the recording head.
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an image forming apparatus, an image formation method, and a non-transitory recording medium.
According to one embodiment, the image forming apparatus acquires print data, converts the print data into ejection data to be used by the recording head to eject ink, applies to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row, the nozzle row including a plurality of nozzles arranged in a sub scanning direction of the recording head, and causes each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto the recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied.
According to one embodiment, the image forming method performed by the image forming apparatus includes, acquiring print data, converting the print data into ejection data to be used by a recording head of the image forming apparatus to eject ink, applying to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row, the nozzle row including a plurality of nozzles arranged in sub scanning direction of the recording head, and causing each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto a recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied, to form an image on the recording medium.
According to one embodiment, the non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors on an image forming apparatus, causes the processors to perform an image forming method including, acquiring print data, converting the print data into ejection data to be used by a recording head of the image forming apparatus to eject ink, applying to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row, the nozzle row including a plurality of nozzles arranged in sub scanning direction of the recording head, and causing each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto a recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied, to form an image on the recording medium.
A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.
In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image formation method, and a non-transitory recording medium according to the present disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the following embodiments, and the constituent elements of the following embodiments include elements that are easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those being substantially the same ones, and those being within equivalent ranges. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes and combinations of the constituent elements can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.
In addition, computer software refers to programs related to computer operations and other information used for processing by computers that are equivalent to programs (hereinafter, computer software is referred to as software). An application program, which may be simply referred to as “application”, is a general term for any software used to perform certain processing. An operating system (hereinafter simply referred to as an “OS”) is software for controlling a computer, such that software, such as application, is able to use computer resource. The OS controls basic operation of the computer such as input or output of data, management of hardware such as a memory or a hard disk, or processing to be executed.
The application software operates by utilizing functions provided by the OS. The program is a set of instructions for causing the computer to perform processing to have a certain result. While data to be used in processing according to the program is not a program itself, such data may define processing to be performed by the program such that the data to be used in processing may be interpreted as equivalent to the program. For example, a data structure, which is a logical structure of data described by an interrelation between data elements, may be interpreted as equivalent to the program.
The image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in
The platen 15 is an example of table member on which a recording medium P, to which ink is ejected (printed), is placed.
The left and right side plates 18a and 18b are examples of plate members that support the carriage 20 together with a guide rod 19 that spans both sides. Further, the side plates 18a and 18b have a function of regulating movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction (X direction illustrated in
The guide rod 19 is an example of member that is bridged between the side plates 18a and 18b, supports the carriage 20, and guides the movement of the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction.
The carriage 20 is an example of member that has a recording head provided that ejects ink and moves back and forth in the main scanning direction along the guide rod 19. Further, the carriage 20 is also movable in the vertical direction (Z direction illustrated in
The recording head 30K includes a recording head 31K, a recording head 32K, and a recording head 33K, each of which ejects K (black) ink. As illustrated in
The recording head 30C includes a recording head 31C, a recording head 32C, and a recording head 33C, each of which ejects C (cyan) ink. As illustrated in
The recording head 30M includes a recording head 31M, a recording head 32M, and a recording head 33M, each ejects M (magenta) ink. As illustrated in
The recording head 30Y includes a recording head 31Y, a recording head 32Y, and a recording head 33Y, each of which ejects Y (yellow) ink. As illustrated in
Note that the recording heads 30K, 30C, 30M, and 30Y each includes three recording heads disposed at different positions in the sub scanning direction, but are not limited to this example, and may include one, two, or four or more recording heads.
Further, the recording heads 30K, 30C, 30M, and 30Y may be simply referred to as “recording head 30” when referring to any of the recording heads or when referring to the recording heads collectively. Further, the recording heads 31K to 33K, 31C to 33C, 31M to 33M, and 31Y to 33Y may also be simply referred to as “recording head 30” when referring to any recording head or when collectively referring to the recording heads.
Furthermore, the ink ejected from the recording head 30 is not limited to the cyan, yellow, magenta, and black (CMYK) color inks as described above, but may include, for example, transparent ink, metallic color ink, fluorescent ink, or the like.
Each recording head 30 includes a piezoelectric element as a pressure generator, contracts in response to a drive signal, and ejects ink due to the pressure change accompanying the contraction.
The guide rail 29 is an example of rail member extending in the sub scanning direction below the platen 15. The side plates 18a, 18b, guide rod 19, and carriage 20 integrally move back and forth along the guide rail 29 in the sub scanning direction.
In the example of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in
Furthermore, although the image forming apparatus 1 is the serial type image forming apparatus based on the carriage 20, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and may be a line type image forming apparatus that performs printing in a single path.
As illustrated in
The controller 100 controls an overall operation and various processes of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, and a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) 104, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 105, a print controller 106, a main scanning driver 107, an input/output (I/O) 108, a communication interface (UF) 109, and a sub scanning driver 110.
The CPU 101 is a processor that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 102 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores fixed data such as programs executed by the CPU 101.
The RAM 103 is a volatile storage device that serves as a work area for arithmetic processing by the CPU 101. Further, the RAM 103 temporarily stores image data and the like.
The NVRAM 104 is a nonvolatile storage device that retains data, programs, and the like even while the image forming apparatus 1 is powered off.
The ASIC 105 is an integrated circuit that processes various signal processes for image data, image processing such as sorting, and other input and output signals for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1.
The print controller 106 is a control circuit that controls the ejection operation of the recording head 30 through the recording head driver 16 under control of the CPU 101. The print controller 106 transfers data for driving the recording head 30 to the recording head driver 16. For example, the print controller 106 transfers ejection data as serial data, and outputs a transfer clock, a latch signal, a control signal, and the like to transfer the ejection data to the recording head driver 16. The recording head driver 16 drives the recording head 30 to eject ink by selectively applying a drive pulse forming a voltage drive waveform corresponding to the ejection data received from the print controller 106, to the pressure generator of the recording head 30 based on ejection data corresponding to one line of the recording head 30 that is input serially.
The main scanning driver 107 is a drive circuit that controls the operation of the main scanning motor 17 under the control of the CPU 101. The main scanning motor 17 is a motor that moves the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction under the control of the main scanning driver 107.
The I/O 108 is an interface circuit for acquiring information from the sensor 130 and extracting information used for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The sensor 130 is, for example, an optical sensor that reads a printed image formed on the recording medium P, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a heater during printing, or the like.
The communication I/F 109 is an interface circuit that transmits and receives data (print data, etc.) and signals to and from a personal computer (PC) 2. Specifically, the communication OF 109 transmits and receives data and signals from the PC 2 through a cable or a network. The communication OF 109 communicates with the PC 2 through the network, for example, in compliant with Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP). The print data stored in a reception buffer of the communication OF 109 is analyzed by the CPU 101, subjected to image processing and data sorting processing by the ASIC 105, and transferred to the recording head driver 16 as the ejection data by the print controller 106.
The sub scanning driver 110 is a drive circuit that controls a rotational drive of the sub scanning motor 18 under the control of the CPU 101. The sub scanning motor 18 is a motor that rotates under the control of the sub scanning driver 110 to integrally move the side plates 18a, 18b, the guide rod 19, and the carriage 20 back and forth along the guide rail 29.
The control panel 120 is a device such as a touch panel that inputs and outputs various information.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in
With reference to
Ideally, each dot D formed by ink ejected from the nozzle row of the recording head should be formed in a straight line in the sub scanning direction, as illustrated in
For example, as illustrated in
In the case the ink landing position is corrected for each nozzle row of the recording heads 30_1, 30_2, 30_3, and 30_4, as in the image forming apparatus in the related art, the ink landing position in the main scanning direction is corrected but the deviation of the landing position for each nozzle is not corrected leaving the ink dots not aligned in a straight line as illustrated in
Hereinafter, in order to deal with above inconvenience, detailed functions of the image forming apparatus 1 that corrects the deviation of the landing position for each nozzle is described below.
As illustrated in
The data acquisition unit 201 is a functional unit that acquires print data from the PC 2 through the communication OF 109.
The image processing unit 202 is a functional unit that performs predetermined data processing such as CMYK conversion processing, tone reduction processing, and image conversion processing on the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 201 and generates the ejection data for ejecting ink onto the recording medium P to form an image.
The correction unit 203 is a functional unit that applies a correction mask pattern described below to the ejection data generated by the image processing unit 202, adjusts the ink ejection timing for each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30, and corrects the ink landing position. In this case, the correction unit 203 refers to the correction mask pattern stored in the storage unit 207 and applies the correction mask pattern to the ejection data.
Details of the operation of the correction unit 203 are described in the following. As illustrated in
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a correction mask pattern MP illustrated in
The correction unit 203 applies the correction mask pattern MP to the ejection data. Accordingly, the ejection control unit 204 controls to eject ink corresponding to the pixel value of the ejection data, according to the value of the element of the correction mask pattern MP corresponding to the pixel value as described below. In the case the value of the element is 01 (drive waveform (1) (0 ms delay)), the ejection control unit 204 ejects ink with a drive waveform without delay, as illustrated in
Furthermore, in the above description, as an example of changing the manner of the ink ejection, the timing of ink ejection is adjusted by adding a delay to the drive waveform, corresponding to the values of the elements of the correction mask pattern as illustrated in
Referring again to
The ejection control unit 204 is a functional unit that causes ink to be ejected from each nozzle of the recording head 30 onto the recording medium P through the print controller 106 based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern has been applied by the correction unit 203. In other words, the ejection control unit 204 causes the ink corresponding to the pixel value of the ejection data to be ejected in accordance with the value of the element of the correction mask pattern corresponding to the pixel value, as described above.
The movement control unit 205 is a functional unit that controls movement of the carriage 20 according to the ejection data in the main scanning direction through the main scanning driver 107 and in the sub scanning direction by the sub scanning driver 110.
The setting unit 206 is a functional unit that sets the values of each element of the correction mask pattern through operations on the control panel 120 or the PC 2. The setting unit 206 causes the storage unit 207 to store set correction mask pattern. Regarding the deviation in the landing position of the ink ejected from each nozzle of the nozzle row of the recording head 30 (the deviation in the main scanning direction), for example, the deviation may be obtained by printing and checking a chart for checking the deviation in advance. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a reading device that reads the printed chart, and the amount of deviation in the landing positions may be automatically obtained based on the data read by the reading device. For example, the mask data to be associated with each dot is determined based on the obtained landing position shift, and a correction mask pattern is set by the setting unit 206. For example, the setting unit 206 automatically sets the correction mask pattern from the read data indicating the above-mentioned deviation of the landing position.
The storage unit 207 is a functional unit that stores the correction mask pattern set by the setting unit 206. The storage unit 207 is implemented by the RAM 103 or the NVRAM 104 illustrated in
The data acquisition unit 201, the image processing unit 202, the correction unit 203, the ejection control unit 204, the movement control unit 205, and the setting unit 206 described above are implemented by, for example, executing a program by the CPU 101 illustrated in
Further, each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in
The setting unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 1 sets the value of each element of the correction mask pattern through the operation on the control panel 120 or the operation on the PC 2 and stores the correction mask pattern in the storage unit 207. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.
The data acquisition unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires print data from the PC 2 through the communication OF 109. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.
The image processing unit 202 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs the predetermined data processing such as CMYK conversion processing, tone reduction processing, and image conversion processing on the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 201 and generates ejection data for ejecting ink onto the recording medium P to form an image. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.
The correction unit 203 of the image forming apparatus 1 applies the correction mask pattern stored in the storage unit 207 to the ejection data generated by the image processing unit 202. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.
The ejection control unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs the printing process by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P from each nozzle of the recording head 30 through the print controller 106 based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied by the correction unit 203. Here, the movement control unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 1 controls the movement of the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction through the main scanning driver 107 and in the sub scanning direction through the sub scanning driver 110 based on the ejection data. In other words, the ejection control unit 204 and the movement control unit 205 operate in cooperation with each other based on the ejection data. As a result, the ink ejection timing is adjusted for each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30, and the ink landing position is corrected.
As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the data acquisition unit 201 acquires the print data, the image processing unit 202 converts the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 201 into the ejection data for causing the recording head 30 to eject ink, the correction unit 203 applies, to the ejection data, the correction mask pattern that changes the manner of the ink ejection for each nozzle in the nozzle row made up of a plurality of nozzles lined up in the sub scanning direction of the recording head 30, the ejection control unit 204 causes each nozzle of the recording head 30 to eject ink onto the recording medium P based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern has been applied. As a result, the ink dots D ejected at the same timing from each nozzle N of the nozzle row of the recording head 30 are aligned in a straight line in the sub scanning direction, and deviation in landing position of each nozzle is corrected.
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the correction unit 203 also applies a correction mask pattern that changes the timing of ink ejection to each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30. Accordingly, variation in ejection characteristics, formation positions, and the like of each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30 is corrected.
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the correction unit 203 also applies a correction mask pattern that changes the drive waveform of the voltage applied to the recording head 30 for ejecting ink to each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30. Accordingly, variation in the diameter of ink droplets caused by variation in the diameter of nozzles formed in the recording head 30 is corrected.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to a modification 1 is described with a focus on the differences from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The overall configuration, hardware configuration, and functional block configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present modification are the same as those described in the above embodiment.
For example, as illustrated in
In the present modification, the image forming apparatus 1 uses a correction mask pattern illustrated in
The correction unit 203 applies a correction mask pattern illustrated in
Note that the present disclosure is not limited to applying a different correction mask pattern for each ink color, and a different correction mask pattern may be applied for each recording head 30 or for each nozzle row of the recording head 30.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to a modification 2 is described with a focus on the differences from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The overall configuration, hardware configuration, and functional block configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present modification are the same as those described in the above embodiments.
As illustrated in
By applying this mask pattern MP1 to the ejection data, ink is ejected according to the pixel value of the ejection data corresponding to 1 (ejection) of the mask pattern MP1, and the ink is not ejected according to the pixel value of the ejection data corresponding to 0 (no ejection) of the mask pattern MP1. By applying the mask pattern MP1 to the ejection data, whether or not to eject is controlled, but in the case there is variation in the nozzle diameter and the like of each nozzle N in the nozzle row of the recording head 30, variation is caused in the diameters of ink dots D ejected at the same timing from each nozzle N of the nozzle row of the recording head 30, as illustrated in
On the other hand, in the present modification, a corrected mask pattern MPa illustrated in
The correction unit 203 applies the correction mask pattern MPa to the ejection data. Thereby, the ejection control unit 204 ejects ink corresponding to the pixel value of the ejection data according to the value of the element of the correction mask pattern corresponding to the pixel value. In the case the value of the element is 01 (drive waveform (1) (dot diameter: medium)), the ejection control unit 204 ejects ink using a drive waveform with a medium dot diameter, as illustrated in
In addition, in the example of the correction mask pattern illustrated in
As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present modification, the correction unit 203 is also able to apply the correction mask pattern that changes the drive waveform of the voltage applied to the recording head 30 for ejecting ink to each nozzle in the nozzle row of the recording head 30. Accordingly, variation in the diameter of ink dots caused by variation in the diameter of nozzles formed in the recording head 30 and the like is corrected.
In addition, as an example of changing the manner of ink ejection by the value of the element of the correction mask pattern, both the ink ejection timing described in
Note that in the embodiment described above and each modification, when at least one of the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 or the PC 2 is implemented by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. Further, in the embodiment described above and each modification, the programs executed by the information processing apparatus 1 or the PC 2 may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc-recordable (CD-R), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a secure digital (SD) card as a file in an installable format or an executable format.
Further, in the embodiment described above and each modification, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and the PC 2 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the internet, and provided by being downloaded through the network. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above and each modification, the programs executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and the PC 2 may be configured to be provided or distributed through a network such as the internet. The program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 and the PC 2 according to the embodiment described above has a module configuration including at least one of the above-described functional units. As actual hardware, the CPU reads the program from the above-described storage device and executes the program, whereby the above-described functional units are loaded onto the main storage device and generated.
Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows.
According to a first aspect, an image forming apparatus to form an image by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a recording medium includes, an acquisition unit to acquire print data, a conversion unit to convert the print data acquired by the acquisition unit into ejection data to cause a recording head to eject ink, a correction unit to apply to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row made up of a plurality of nozzles lined up in sub scanning direction of the recording head, and an ejection control unit to cause each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto the recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied.
According to a second aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the correction unit applies the correction mask pattern to change timing of ink ejection to each nozzle of the nozzle row of the recording head.
According to a third aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the correction unit applies the correction mask pattern to change a drive waveform of voltage applied to the recording head to eject ink, to each nozzle of the nozzle row of the recording head.
According to a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, further includes a setting unit to set the correction mask pattern according to an operation input, a storage unit to store the correction mask pattern set by the setting unit, and the correction unit applies the correction mask pattern stored in the storage unit to the ejection data.
According to a fifth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the correction unit applies a different correction mask pattern for each color of ink ejected from the recording head.
According to a sixth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the recording heads are plural, and the correction unit applies a different correction mask pattern to each recording head.
According to a seventh aspect, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the correction unit applies a different correction mask pattern to each nozzle row of the recording head.
According to an eighth aspect, an image forming method in which an image is formed by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a recording medium, includes, an acquisition step to acquire print data, a conversion step to convert the print data acquired by the acquisition unit into ejection data to cause a recording head to eject ink, a correction step to apply to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row made up of a plurality of nozzles lined up in sub scanning direction of the recording head, and an ejection control step to cause each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto the recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied.
According to a ninth aspect, a program to cause a computer to control an image forming apparatus to form an image by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a recording medium to perform, an acquisition step to acquire print data, a conversion step to convert the print data acquired by the acquisition unit into ejection data to cause a recording head to eject ink, a correction step to apply to the ejection data, a correction mask pattern to change a manner of ink ejection for each nozzle of a nozzle row made up of a plurality of nozzles lined up in sub scanning direction of the recording head, and an ejection control step to cause each nozzle of the recording head to eject ink onto a recording medium based on the ejection data to which the correction mask pattern is applied.
The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.
The functionality of the elements disclosed herein may be implemented using circuitry or processing circuitry which includes general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), conventional circuitry and/or combinations thereof which are configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functionality. Processors are considered processing circuitry or circuitry as they include transistors and other circuitry therein. In the disclosure, the circuitry, units, or means are hardware that carry out or are programmed to perform the recited functionality. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or otherwise known which is programmed or configured to carry out the recited functionality. When the hardware is a processor which may be considered a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or units are a combination of hardware and software, the software being used to configure the hardware and/or processor.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2022-181821 | Nov 2022 | JP | national |
2023-117081 | Jul 2023 | JP | national |