JP2004050680A - Liquid ejection device and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to realize a liquid ejection apparatus and a computer system that reduce the amount of liquid consumption.
A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid, and includes a movable ejection head, and a feeding mechanism for sending a medium in a predetermined feeding direction, and ejects the liquid from the nozzle to the medium. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle in accordance with a tilt of the medium. And
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a computer system.
[0002]
[Background Art]
A color ink jet printer, which is a typical liquid ejection apparatus, is already well known. This color ink jet printer includes a print head as an example of an ink jet type discharge head that discharges ink as an example of a liquid from a nozzle. Etc. are recorded.
The print head is supported by the carriage with the nozzle surface on which the nozzles are formed facing the printing paper, moves along the guide member in the width direction of the printing paper (main scanning), and performs this main scanning. The ink is ejected in synchronization with.
In recent years, a color inkjet printer capable of so-called borderless printing, which performs printing on the entire surface of printing paper, has been gaining popularity because, for example, an output result of the same image as a photograph can be obtained. By borderless printing, for example, printing can be performed by discharging ink without margins on the four edges of printing paper.
[0003]
By the way, in the case of borderless printing, since printing is performed on the entire surface of the printing paper, it is important that no margin is formed at the end of the printed printing paper. In order to realize this, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the printing paper is fed (obliquely) so that the printing paper is slightly larger than the printing paper, in other words, has a certain margin compared to the size of the printing paper. An effective method is to prepare print data that has been printed, and to print on print paper based on the actual print data.
However, in this method, printing is performed on an area other than the printing paper, which causes a problem that ink is wasted.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to realize a liquid ejecting apparatus and a computer system that reduce the amount of liquid consumed.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The main invention includes a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid, a movable discharge head, and a feeding mechanism for feeding a medium in a predetermined feeding direction, and sends the liquid from the nozzle to the medium. In a liquid discharge device that discharges,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle in accordance with an inclination of the medium. is there.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
=== Disclosure Overview ===
At least the following matters will be made clear by the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings.
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid, a movable ejection head, and a feeding mechanism for sending a medium in a predetermined feeding direction, and ejecting liquid from the nozzle to the medium. Wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle in accordance with an inclination of the medium. apparatus.
[0007]
The amount of liquid consumption is reduced by changing at least one of the start position and the end position at which the liquid is ejected from the nozzles of the moving ejection head according to the inclination of the medium for each nozzle. Can be done.
[0008]
In addition, the end of the medium is detected at a plurality of points to determine the inclination of the medium, and the start position and the end of discharging the liquid from a nozzle provided in the moving discharge head according to the determined inclination. At least one of the positions may be changed for each nozzle.
In this way, the inclination of the medium can be easily obtained.
[0009]
Further, the liquid may be ejected to the entire surface of the medium.
In the case where the liquid is ejected to the entire surface of the medium, the liquid is also ejected to the end of the medium.
A light-emitting unit for emitting light; and a light-receiving sensor for receiving the light that moves in the main scanning direction according to the movement of the light-emitting unit in the main scanning direction. A change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to the light emitted by the light emitting means blocking the end is detected a plurality of times by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism to obtain the inclination of the medium. It may be good.
In this way, the inclination of the medium can be obtained more easily.
[0010]
Further, the light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the end by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism twice. Of the two detections, the difference between the position of the light emitting unit when detecting the change for the first time and the position of the light emitting unit when detecting the change for the second time, and the first time The inclination of the medium may be obtained based on the medium feeding amount from when the change is detected to when the change is detected for the second time.
By doing so, the number of times that the change in the output value is detected can be minimized.
[0011]
Further, the light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the end by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism a plurality of times. The inclination of the medium may be obtained based on an approximate straight line obtained from the light emitting means and the position information of the medium at the time of the plurality of detections.
With this configuration, it is possible to derive an accurate inclination of the medium by using a lot of position information.
[0012]
Further, the medium is stopped, and the light emitting unit is moved in the main scanning direction, and a change in an output value of the light receiving sensor due to the light emitted by the light emitting unit blocking an end of the medium is detected. Then, the position of the end is specified, and at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is determined according to the inclination and the position of the end. It may be changed for each nozzle.
With this configuration, since information for determining an appropriate start position or end position at which the liquid is ejected from the nozzles provided in the moving ejection head is increased, the appropriate start position or end position can be accurately determined. Can decide.
[0013]
Further, the light emitting means and the light receiving sensor may be provided on a movable member having the ejection head and movable in the main scanning direction.
With this configuration, the moving member and the moving mechanism of the light emitting unit and the light receiving sensor can be shared.
[0014]
The end of the medium may be a side end of the medium, or may be an end located on the upstream side in the feeding direction.
Further, the liquid may be ink, and the liquid ejection device may be a printing device that performs printing on the printing medium as the medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles.
In such a case, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus having the above-described effects.
[0015]
In addition, the apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid, has a movable ejection head, and a feed mechanism for sending the medium in a predetermined feed direction, and has a nozzle for the entire surface of the medium. In a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects liquid, a light emitting unit for emitting light, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light that moves in the main scanning direction according to the movement of the light emitting unit in the main scanning direction, are provided. A light emitting unit and the light receiving sensor are provided on a moving member including the ejection head and movable in a main scanning direction, and light emitted by the light emitting unit moving in the main scanning direction is a light emitting device for the medium. A change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the side end is detected twice by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism, and when the change is detected for the first time out of the two detections. The luminescence The difference between the position of the step and the position of the light emitting means when the change is detected for the second time, and the feeding of the medium from when the change is detected for the first time to when the change is detected for the second time Based on the amount, the inclination of the medium is determined, the medium is stopped, and the light emitting unit is moved in the main scanning direction, so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit strikes a side end of the medium. By detecting a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking, the position of the side end is specified, and the liquid is discharged from a nozzle provided in the ejection head that moves according to the inclination and the position of the side end. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized in that at least one of a start position and an end position for discharging is changed for each nozzle.
By doing so, most of the effects described above are achieved, and the object of the present invention is most effectively achieved.
[0016]
Further, a computer main body, a display device connectable to the computer main body, and a liquid discharge device connectable to the computer main body, the liquid discharge device including a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid, a movable discharge head, and a medium A feed mechanism for feeding in a predetermined feed direction, the liquid discharge device discharging liquid from the nozzle to the medium, the liquid discharge device being provided in the discharge head that moves in accordance with the inclination of the medium. It is also possible to realize a computer system including a liquid ejection device that changes at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle for each nozzle.
The computer system implemented in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole.
[0017]
=== Overall configuration example of device ===
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system as an example of the present invention. This printing system includes a computer 90 and a color inkjet printer 20 as an example of a liquid ejection device. Note that a printing system including the color inkjet printer 20 and the computer 90 can also be called a “liquid ejection device” in a broad sense. Although not shown, the computer 90, the color inkjet printer 20, a display device such as a CRT 21 and a liquid crystal display device, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a drive device such as a flexible drive device and a CD-ROM drive device. , A computer system has been built.
[0018]
In the computer 90, an application program 95 operates under a predetermined operating system. A video driver 91 and a printer driver 96 are incorporated in the operating system, and print data PD to be transferred to the color inkjet printer 20 is output from the application program 95 via these drivers. An application program 95 for performing image retouching and the like performs desired processing on an image to be processed, and displays an image on the CRT 21 via a video driver 91.
[0019]
When the application program 95 issues a print command, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives image data from the application program 95 and converts it into print data PD to be supplied to the color inkjet printer 20. Inside the printer driver 96, a resolution conversion module 97, a color conversion module 98, a halftone module 99, a rasterizer 100, a user interface display module 101, a UI printer interface module 102, a color conversion lookup table LUT And are provided.
[0020]
The resolution conversion module 97 plays a role of converting the resolution of the color image data formed by the application program 95 into a print resolution. The image data whose resolution has been converted in this way is still image information composed of three color components of RGB. The color conversion module 98 converts the RGB image data into multi-tone data of a plurality of ink colors that can be used by the color inkjet printer 20 for each pixel while referring to the color conversion lookup table LUT.
[0021]
The color-converted multi-tone data has, for example, 256 tone values. The halftone module 99 generates a halftone image data by executing a so-called halftone process. The halftone image data is rearranged by the rasterizer 100 in the order of data to be transferred to the color inkjet printer 20, and output as final print data PD. The print data PD includes raster data indicating the dot formation state during each main scan, and data indicating the sub-scan feed amount.
[0022]
The user interface display module 101 has a function of displaying various user interface windows related to printing, and a function of receiving a user input in those windows.
[0023]
The UI printer interface module 102 has a function of providing an interface between a user interface (UI) and a color inkjet printer. The command interprets the command specified by the user through the user interface and transmits various commands COM to the color inkjet printer, and conversely interprets the command COM received from the color inkjet printer and performs various displays on the user interface. .
[0024]
Note that the printer driver 96 realizes a function of transmitting and receiving various commands COM, a function of supplying print data PD to the color inkjet printer 20, and the like. A program for realizing the function of the printer driver 96 is supplied in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of such a recording medium include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punched card, a printed matter on which a code such as a bar code is printed, and a computer internal storage device (such as a RAM or ROM). Various computer readable media, such as memory and external storage, can be used. Further, such a computer program can be downloaded to the computer 90 via the Internet.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a main configuration of the color inkjet printer 20. The color inkjet printer 20 includes a paper stacker 22, a paper feed roller 24 driven by a step motor (not shown), a platen 26, and a carriage as an example of a movable moving member that includes a print head for forming dots. 28, a carriage motor 30, a traction belt 32 driven by the carriage motor 30, and a guide rail 34 for the carriage 28. The carriage 28 is provided with a print head 36 as an example of an ejection head having a large number of nozzles, and a reflective optical sensor 29 described later in detail.
[0026]
The printing paper P is taken up from the paper stacker 22 by the paper feeding roller 24 and is sent on the surface of the platen 26 in a paper feeding direction (hereinafter, also referred to as a sub-scanning direction) as a predetermined feeding direction. The carriage 28 is pulled by a pulling belt 32 driven by a carriage motor 30 and moves along a guide rail 34 in the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction refers to two directions perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction as shown in the figure. The paper feed roller 24 also performs a paper feeding operation for supplying the printing paper P to the color inkjet printer 20 and a paper discharging operation for discharging the printing paper P from the color inkjet printer 20.
[0027]
=== Configuration example of reflection type optical sensor ===
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the reflection type optical sensor 29. The reflection type optical sensor 29 is attached to the carriage 28, and has a light emitting section 38 as an example of light emitting means composed of a light emitting diode and a light receiving section 40 as an example of a light receiving sensor composed of a phototransistor, for example. . The light emitted from the light emitting unit 38, that is, the incident light, is reflected by the platen 26 when there is no printing paper P in the direction of the printing paper P or the emitted light, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 40, Converted to a signal. Then, the magnitude of the electric signal is measured as an output value of the light receiving sensor according to the intensity of the received reflected light.
[0028]
In the above description, as shown in the figure, the light emitting unit 38 and the light receiving unit 40 are integrally configured as a device of the reflection type optical sensor 29. However, as shown in FIG. Separate devices may be configured.
[0029]
In the above description, in order to obtain the intensity of the received reflected light, the magnitude of the electric signal is measured after converting the reflected light into an electric signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary to be able to measure the output value of the light receiving sensor according to the intensity of the reflected light.
[0030]
=== Configuration example around the carriage ===
Next, the configuration around the carriage will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration around the carriage 28 of the inkjet printer.
[0031]
The ink jet printer shown in FIG. 4 includes a paper feed motor (hereinafter, also referred to as a PF motor) 31 that feeds paper as an example of a feed mechanism, and a print head 36 that discharges ink as an example of a liquid onto print paper P. A carriage 28 that is fixed and driven in the main scanning direction, a carriage motor (hereinafter also referred to as a CR motor) 30 that drives the carriage 28, a linear encoder 11 that is fixed to the carriage 28, and slits at predetermined intervals. The formed linear encoder code plate 12, a rotary encoder 13 (not shown) for the PF motor 31, a platen 26 supporting the printing paper P, and a paper driven by the PF motor 31 to transport the printing paper P. A feed roller 24, a pulley 25 attached to a rotation shaft of the CR motor 30, and driven by the pulley 25 And a pull belt 32.
[0032]
Next, the linear encoder 11 and the rotary encoder 13 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the linear encoder 11 attached to the carriage 28.
[0033]
The linear encoder 11 shown in FIG. 5 includes a light emitting diode 11a, a collimator lens 11b, and a detection processing unit 11c. The detection processing unit 11c includes a plurality of (for example, four) photodiodes 11d, a signal processing circuit 11e, and, for example, two comparators 11fA and 11fB.
[0034]
When a voltage VCC is applied to both ends of the light emitting diode 11a via a resistor, light is emitted from the light emitting diode 11a. This light is converged to parallel light by the collimator lens 11b and passes through the linear encoder code plate 12. The linear encoder code plate 12 is provided with slits at predetermined intervals (for example, 1/180 inch (1 inch = 2.54 cm)).
[0035]
The parallel light that has passed through the linear encoder code plate 12 enters each photodiode 11d through a fixed slit (not shown) and is converted into an electric signal. The electric signals output from the four photodiodes 11d are subjected to signal processing in a signal processing circuit 11e, the signals output from the signal processing circuit 11e are compared in comparators 11fA and 11fB, and the comparison result is output as a pulse. Pulses ENC-A and ENC-B output from the comparators 11fA and 11fB are output from the linear encoder 11.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing waveforms of two output signals of the linear encoder 11 at the time of forward rotation and reverse rotation of the CR motor.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the phase of the pulse ENC-A differs from that of the pulse ENC-B by 90 degrees in both the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the CR motor. When the CR motor 30 is rotating forward, that is, when the carriage 28 is moving in the main scanning direction, the pulse ENC-A is 90 degrees greater than the pulse ENC-B as shown in FIG. When the CR motor 30 is rotating in the reverse direction, the pulse ENC-A lags behind the pulse ENC-B by 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 6B. One cycle T of the pulse ENC-A and the pulse ENC-B is equal to the time during which the carriage 28 moves through the slit interval of the linear encoder code plate 12.
[0037]
Then, the rising edges and rising edges of the output pulses ENC-A and ENC-B of the linear encoder 11 are detected, the number of the detected edges is counted, and the rotational position of the CR motor 30 is calculated based on the counted value. Is calculated. This count adds “+1” when one edge is detected when the CR motor 30 is rotating forward, and “−1” when one edge is detected when the CR motor 30 is rotating reversely. Is added. The period of each of the pulses ENC-A and ENC-B is the time from when a certain slit of the linear encoder code plate 12 passes through the linear encoder 11 to when the next slit passes through the linear encoder 11. The phases are equal and the pulse ENC-A and the pulse ENC-B differ in phase by 90 degrees. Therefore, the count value “1” of the above-described count corresponds to １ ／ of the slit interval of the linear encoder code plate 12. By multiplying the counted value by 値 of the slit interval, the amount of movement of the CR motor 30 from the rotation position corresponding to the counted value “0” can be obtained based on the multiplied value. At this time, the resolution of the linear encoder 11 is １ ／ of the slit interval of the linear encoder code plate 12.
[0038]
On the other hand, the rotary encoder 13 for the PF motor 31 has the same configuration as the linear encoder 11 except that the rotary encoder code plate 14 is a rotating disk that rotates according to the rotation of the PF motor 31. The two output pulses ENC-A and ENC-B are output, and the movement amount of the PF motor 31 can be obtained based on the outputs.
[0039]
=== Electrical configuration example of color inkjet printer ===
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the color inkjet printer 20. The color inkjet printer 20 includes a buffer memory 50 for receiving a signal supplied from a computer 90, an image buffer 52 for storing print data, a system controller 54 for controlling the overall operation of the color inkjet printer 20, and a main memory 56. And an EEPROM 58. The system controller 54 further includes a main scanning drive circuit 61 for driving the carriage motor 30, a sub-scanning drive circuit 62 for driving the paper feed motor 31, a head drive circuit 63 for driving the print head 36, and a reflective optical system. The reflection type optical sensor control circuit 65 for controlling the light emitting section 38 and the light receiving section 40 of the sensor 29, the linear encoder 11 described above, and the rotary encoder 13 described above are connected. Further, the reflection type optical sensor control circuit 65 includes an electric signal measurement unit 66 for measuring an electric signal converted from the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 40.
[0040]
The print data transferred from the computer 90 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 50. In the color inkjet printer 20, the system controller 54 reads necessary information from the print data from the buffer memory 50, and based on the read information, sends the information to the main scanning driving circuit 61, the sub-scanning driving circuit 62, the head driving circuit 63, and the like. Send a control signal to it.
[0041]
The image buffer 52 stores print data of a plurality of color components received by the buffer memory 50. The head drive circuit 63 reads the print data of each color component from the image buffer 52 according to a control signal from the system controller 54, and drives the nozzle array of each color provided in the print head 36 in accordance with the read data.
[0042]
=== Example of nozzle arrangement of print head ===
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle arrangement on the lower surface of the print head 36. The print head 36 has a black nozzle row, a yellow nozzle row, a magenta nozzle row, and a cyan nozzle row arranged on a straight line along the sub-scanning direction. As shown in the figure, each nozzle row is provided by two rows, and in this specification, each nozzle row is referred to as a first black nozzle row, a second black nozzle row, a first yellow nozzle row, These are referred to as a second yellow nozzle row, a first magenta nozzle row, a second magenta nozzle row, a first cyan nozzle row, and a second cyan nozzle row.
[0043]
The black nozzle row (shown by white circles) has 360 nozzles # 1 to # 360. Of these nozzles, odd-numbered nozzles # 1, # 3,..., # 359 are in the first black nozzle row, and even-numbered nozzles # 2, # 4,. It belongs to the nozzle row. The nozzles # 1, # 3,..., # 359 of the first black nozzle row are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch kD along the sub-scanning direction. Here, D is the dot pitch in the sub-scanning direction, and k is an integer. The dot pitch D in the sub-scanning direction is equal to the pitch of the main scanning line (raster line). Hereinafter, the integer k representing the nozzle pitch k · D is simply referred to as “nozzle pitch k”. In the example of FIG. 8, the nozzle pitch k is 4 dots. However, the nozzle pitch k can be set to an arbitrary integer.
[0044]
The nozzles # 2, # 4,..., # 360 of the second black nozzle row are also arranged at a constant nozzle pitch kD (nozzle pitch k = 4) along the sub-scanning direction. However, as shown in the figure, the position of each nozzle in the sub-scanning direction is shifted from the position of each nozzle in the first black nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction. In the example of FIG. 8, the shift amount is １ ／ · k · D (k = 4).
[0045]
The same applies to the yellow nozzle row (shown by white triangles), the magenta nozzle row (shown by white squares), and the cyan nozzle row (shown by white diamonds). That is, each nozzle row has 360 nozzles # 1 to # 360, of which the odd-numbered nozzles # 1, # 3,. .., # 360 belong to the second column. Each nozzle row is arranged at a constant nozzle pitch kD along the sub-scanning direction, and the position of the second row of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction is the position of the first row of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction. It is shifted by １ ／ · k · D (k = 4) from the position.
[0046]
That is, the nozzle groups arranged on the print head 36 form a staggered shape, and during printing, ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle while the print head 36 moves at a constant speed in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 28. Discharged. However, depending on the printing method, not all nozzles are always used, and only some of them may be used.
[0047]
The above-mentioned reflection type optical sensor 29 is attached to the carriage 28 together with the print head 36. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the position of the reflection type optical sensor 29 in the sub-scanning direction is: This coincides with the position of the nozzle # 360 in the sub-scanning direction.
[0048]
=== First Embodiment ===
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a positional relationship among the print head 36, the reflective optical sensor 29, and the printing paper P, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing the first embodiment.
[0049]
First, the user first instructs to perform printing in the application program 95 or the like (step S2). When the application program 95 that has received this instruction issues a print command, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives the image data from the application program 95, and sends the image data together with raster data indicating the dot formation state during each main scan and sub data. The data is converted into print data PD including data indicating the scanning feed amount. Further, the printer driver 96 supplies the print data PD to the color inkjet printer 20 together with various commands COM. The color inkjet printer 20 transmits these to the image buffer 52 or the system controller 54 after receiving them by the buffer memory 50.
[0050]
Further, the user can instruct the user interface display module 101 to perform sizeless printing of the printing paper P and borderless printing. The instruction by the user is received by the user interface display module 101 and sent to the UI printer interface module 102. The UI printer interface module 102 interprets the instructed command and transmits the command COM to the color inkjet printer 20. After receiving the command COM by the buffer memory 50, the color inkjet printer 20 transmits the command COM to the system controller 54.
[0051]
The color inkjet printer 20 feeds the printing paper P by driving the paper feed motor 31 by the sub-scanning drive circuit 62 based on the command transmitted to the system controller 54 (step S4).
[0052]
Then, the system controller 54 moves the carriage 28 in the main scanning direction while feeding the printing paper P in the paper feed direction, and performs inkless printing by discharging ink from the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28 ( Step S6, Step S8). The feed of the printing paper P in the paper feed direction is performed by driving the paper feed motor 31 by the sub-scan drive circuit 62, and the movement of the carriage 28 in the main scan direction is performed by the carriage motor 30 by the main scan drive circuit 61. When the print head 36 is driven, the ink is ejected from the print head 36 by driving the print head 36 by the head drive circuit 63.
[0053]
The color inkjet printer 20 continuously performs the operations of Steps S6 and S8. For example, when the number of movements of the carriage 28 in the main scanning direction reaches a predetermined number (Step S10), the next main scanning is performed. From the movement of the carriage 28 in the direction, the following operation is performed.
[0054]
The system controller 54 controls the reflective optical sensor 29 provided on the carriage 28 by the reflective optical sensor control circuit 65, and emits light from the light emitting unit 38 of the reflective optical sensor 29 toward the platen 26 (step). S12).
[0055]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the system controller 54 performs main scanning drive to perform borderless printing by discharging ink from the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28. The carriage 28 is moved by driving the CR motor 30 by the circuit 61 (step S14). Eventually, as shown in FIG. 9B, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 blocks the side edge of the printing paper P (step S16). At this time, since the incident destination of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 changes from the platen 26 to the printing paper P, the electric signal which is the output value of the light receiving unit 40 of the reflective optical sensor 29 which has received the reflected light is received. The size changes. Then, the magnitude of the electric signal is measured by the electric signal measuring section 66, and it is detected that the light has passed through the side edge of the printing paper P.
[0056]
Then, the movement amount of the CR motor 30 from the reference position is obtained based on the output pulse of the linear encoder 11, and the movement amount, in other words, the position of the carriage 28 (hereinafter, the position is also referred to as position A) is stored. (Step S18).
[0057]
As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, even after the above-described Steps S16 and S18, the system controller 54 moves the carriage 28 so that the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28 is moved. To perform borderless printing (step S20).
[0058]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the system controller 54 drives the CR motor 30 to move the carriage 28, and also drives the paper feed motor 31 to perform printing. The sheet P is fed by a predetermined amount to prepare for the next borderless printing (step S22). At this time, the system controller 54 obtains the movement amount of the PF motor 31 from the reference position based on the output pulse of the rotary encoder 13 and stores the movement amount, in other words, the feed amount of the printing paper P. (Step S24).
[0059]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E, the system controller 54 performs main scanning drive to perform borderless printing by discharging ink from the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28. The carriage 61 is moved by driving the CR motor 30 by the circuit 61 (step S26). Eventually, as shown in FIG. 9E, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 blocks the side edge of the printing paper P (step S28). At this time, since the incident destination of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 changes from the platen 26 to the printing paper P, the electric signal which is the output value of the light receiving unit 40 of the reflective optical sensor 29 which has received the reflected light is received. The size changes. Then, the magnitude of the electric signal is measured by the electric signal measuring section 66, and it is detected that the light has passed through the side edge of the printing paper P.
[0060]
Then, the movement amount of the CR motor 30 from the reference position is obtained based on the output pulse of the linear encoder 11, and the movement amount, in other words, the position of the carriage 28 (hereinafter, the position is also referred to as position B) is stored. (Step S30).
[0061]
As shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F, even after the above-described steps S28 and S30, the system controller 54 moves the carriage 28 so that the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28 is moved. To perform borderless printing (step S32). Eventually, as shown in FIG. 9F, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 blocks the side edge of the printing paper P (step S34). At this time, since the incident destination of the light emitted from the light emitting section 38 changes from the printing paper P to the platen 26, the electric signal which is the output value of the light receiving section 40 of the reflection type optical sensor 29 which has received the reflected light is received. The size changes. Then, the magnitude of the electric signal is measured by the electric signal measuring section 66, and it is detected that the light has passed through the side edge of the printing paper P.
[0062]
Then, the movement amount of the CR motor 30 from the reference position is obtained based on the output pulse of the linear encoder 11, and the movement amount, in other words, the position of the carriage 28 (hereinafter, the position is also referred to as position C) is stored. (Step S36).
[0063]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 9F and 9G, the system controller 54 drives the CR motor 30 to move the carriage 28, and also drives the paper feed motor 31 to perform printing. The sheet P is fed by a predetermined amount to prepare for the next borderless printing (step S38). At this time, the system controller 54 obtains the movement amount of the PF motor 31 from the reference position based on the output pulse of the rotary encoder 13 and stores the movement amount, in other words, the feed amount of the printing paper P. (Step S40).
[0064]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9G, the system controller 54 uses the main scanning drive circuit 61 to discharge the ink from the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28 to perform borderless printing. Is driven to move the carriage 28 (step S26). Prior to this operation, the ink discharge start position and the ink discharge end position for each nozzle of the print head 36 are obtained (step S42).
[0065]
Here, an example of a method of obtaining the ink discharge start position and the ink discharge end position will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to obtain the ink discharge start position and the ink discharge end position.
[0066]
The positional relationship between the print head 36, the reflective optical sensor 29, and the printing paper P in FIG. 11 corresponds to that in FIG. While the print head 36 shown on the left side of the figure moves in the main scanning direction, the ink is ejected from the nozzles of the print head 36 to perform printing on the printing paper P, and the print head 36 is shown on the right side of the figure. To the position you have set. Eight straight lines drawn on the printing paper P represent a set of dots formed by discharging ink from the nozzles of the print head 36.
[0067]
Also, in the figure, two reflective optical sensors 29 are shown, but the reflective optical sensor 29 indicated by a dotted line on the lower side before the predetermined amount of the printing paper P is fed in step S38 described above. Are shown to indicate the relative position between the reflection type optical sensor 29 and the printing paper P. Then, as shown in the figure, the position of the reflection type optical sensor 29 in the paper feeding direction indicated by a dotted line on the lower side coincides with the position of the position B and the position C in the paper feeding direction described above.
[0068]
The nozzle arrangement has already been described with reference to FIG. 8. However, in FIG. 11, in order to facilitate understanding, the printing is configured by a nozzle group of one row and provided with eight nozzles. The head is shown as an example.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, a method of determining a position at which the nozzle N shown in the drawing starts or ends the ejection of the ink among the eight nozzles will be described. However, the other nozzles are determined based on the same concept. be able to.
[0070]
First, focus on the left portion of the printing paper P shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the distance between the reflection type optical sensor 29 and the nozzle N in the paper feeding direction indicated by a dotted line at the lower side is y, the inclination of the printing paper P is the angle θ, and the position B and the end of the printing paper P are When the distance in the main scanning direction from the point at which the nozzle N of the print head 36 that moves in the main scanning direction passes is x, the relationship x = y × tan θ is established.
[0071]
Here, the angle θ can be obtained from the position A stored in step S18, the position B stored in step S30, and the feed amount of the printing paper P stored in step S24. That is, assuming that the distance between the position A and the position B in the main scanning direction is a and the feed amount is b, θ = tan-1 (a / b).
Further, the distance y can be obtained from the feed amount of the printing paper P stored in step S40. That is, the distance y is obtained by subtracting the feed amount from the known distance between the reflective optical sensor 29 and the nozzle N in the paper feed direction.
Then, the distance x can be obtained by substituting the obtained angle θ and the distance y into the above equation.
[0072]
Next, pay attention to the right portion of the printing paper P shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the distance between the reflection type optical sensor 29 and the nozzle N in the paper feeding direction indicated by a dotted line on the lower side is y, the inclination of the printing paper P is an angle θ, and the position C and the end of the printing paper P are When the distance in the main scanning direction from the point at which the nozzle N of the print head 36 that moves in the main scanning direction passes the second time is x, the relationship x = y × tan θ is established. Then, the distance x can be obtained by substituting the angle θ and the distance y obtained by the above method into this equation.
[0073]
Then, based on the position B in the main scanning direction and the distance x stored in step S30, the position at which the ejection of ink from the nozzle N is started is determined, and the position in the main scanning direction stored in step S36 is determined. Based on the position C and the distance x, the position at which the ejection of the ink from the nozzles N ends is determined (step S42).
[0074]
Next, the procedure returns to step S26, in which the system controller 54 moves the carriage 28 and discharges ink from the print head 36 provided on the carriage 28 to perform borderless printing. Reference numeral 54 controls the head drive circuit 63 to drive the print head 36 to start ejection of ink from the nozzle N with a delay of the distance x from the position B, and to delay the ink from the nozzle N with a delay of the distance x from the position C. The ink ejection ends.
[0075]
The subsequent procedure is the repetition of steps S26 to S42 described above. The determination of the ink discharge start and end positions in the next step S42 is performed, for example, as follows. That is, the position B stored in step S30 of the first cycle, the position B stored in step S30 of the second cycle, and the feed amount of the printing paper P stored in step S40 of the first cycle The angle θ is obtained from the feed amount of the printing paper P stored in the step S40 of the second cycle, the distance y is obtained, the distance x is calculated, and the distance x is stored in the step S30 of the second cycle. Based on the position B thus performed and the position C stored in step S36 of the second cycle, the ink discharge start and end positions are determined.
[0076]
Note that a program for performing the above processing is stored in the EEPROM 58, and such a program is executed by the system controller 54.
[0077]
As described in the section of the background art, taking into account the fact that the printing paper is fed (obliquely), a margin slightly larger than the printing paper, in other words, a certain margin compared to the size of the printing paper, is taken into consideration. In the method of preparing print data held and printing on print paper based on the actual print data, there is a problem in that printing is performed on an area other than the print paper, so that ink is wastefully consumed.
[0078]
Thus, by changing at least one of the start position and the end position at which the ink is ejected from the nozzles provided in the moving print head 36 in accordance with the inclination of the printing paper P, the nozzles are changed as described above. If the consumption of ink is reduced, the above problem can be solved.
[0079]
In the above description, both the start position and the end position at which ink is ejected are changed for each nozzle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of the start position and the end position at which ink is ejected is used. One may be changed for each nozzle.
[0080]
Further, in the above, the system controller 54 controls the head drive circuit 63 to drive the print head 36, to start discharging ink from the nozzle N with a delay of the distance x from the position B, and to move the ink from the nozzle C at a distance from the position C. The ejection of the ink from the nozzles N is terminated by delaying by x, but the ejection of the ink from the nozzles N is started with a delay (x-Δ1) smaller than the distance x with some margin. The ejection of ink from the nozzles N may be terminated with a delay of a distance (x + Δ2) greater than the distance x.
Further, in the above description, when determining the angle θ, the information of the position B stored immediately before is used, but it is not always necessary to use the information stored immediately before.
[0081]
=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the liquid ejection device and the like according to the present invention have been described based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.
Also, the printing medium has been described as an example of the medium, but a film, cloth, a thin metal plate, or the like may be used as the medium.
[0082]
Further, in the above embodiment, the printing apparatus has been described as an example of the liquid ejection apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, a dyeing apparatus, a fine processing apparatus, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a surface processing apparatus, a three-dimensional modeling machine, a liquid vaporizer, an organic EL manufacturing apparatus (especially a polymer EL manufacturing apparatus), a display manufacturing apparatus, and a film forming apparatus The same technology as in the present embodiment may be applied to an apparatus, a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus, and the like. Even if the present technology is applied to such a field, since the liquid can be ejected toward the medium, the above-described effect can be maintained.
[0083]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a color inkjet printer has been described as an example of a printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a monochrome inkjet printer.
[0084]
Further, in the above embodiment, ink was described as an example of the liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a liquid (including water) including a metal material, an organic material (especially a polymer material), a magnetic material, a conductive material, a wiring material, a film forming material, a processing liquid, a gene solution, and the like may be discharged from the nozzle. .
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, the edge of the printing paper is detected at a plurality of points to determine the inclination of the printing paper, and ink is ejected from nozzles provided in the moving print head in accordance with the obtained inclination. At least one of the start position and the end position to be changed is changed for each nozzle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is no limitation on how to obtain the inclination.
However, the above-described embodiment is more preferable in that the inclination of the printing paper can be easily obtained.
[0086]
In the above-described embodiment, printing is performed on the entire surface of the printing paper P, that is, so-called borderless printing is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case where printing is performed over a wide area, not on the entire surface, the above-described means has an effective effect.
However, in the case of borderless printing, since the printing is also performed on the edge of the printing paper, the merit of the above-described means is further increased.
[0087]
Further, in the above embodiment, the light emitting unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting light, and a light receiving unit for receiving the light moving in the main scanning direction according to the movement of the light emitting unit in the main scanning direction. The light emitted by the light emitting unit moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving unit due to blocking the edge of the printing paper a plurality of times by changing the position of the printing paper by a paper feed motor. Thus, the inclination of the printing paper is determined, but the present invention is not limited to this.
However, the above-described embodiment is more preferable in that the inclination of the printing paper can be obtained more easily.
[0088]
Further, in the above embodiment, the light emitted by the light emitting unit moving in the main scanning direction changes the output value of the light receiving unit due to blocking the end, and the position of the printing paper by the paper feed motor. Detected twice by changing the position of the light emitting unit when detecting the change for the first time and the position of the light emitting unit when detecting the change for the second time, The inclination of the printing paper is determined based on the difference between the first and second detections of the change and the feed amount of the printing paper from the first detection of the change to the second detection of the change. It is not done.
[0089]
For example, the light emitted by the light emitting unit moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving unit due to blocking the end by changing the position of the printing paper by the paper feed motor a plurality of times. Alternatively, the inclination of the printing paper may be obtained based on an approximate straight line obtained from the position information of the light emitting unit and the printing paper at the time of the plurality of detections.
[0090]
The former method has an advantage in that the number of times of detecting the change of the output value can be minimized, and the latter method derives an accurate inclination of the printing paper by using a lot of position information. There is a merit in that it can be done.
[0091]
Further, in the above embodiment, the printing sheet is stopped, and the light emitting unit is moved in the main scanning direction, so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit blocks an edge of the printing paper so that the light receiving unit is not affected. The change of the output value is detected, the position of the end is specified, and according to the inclination and the position of the end, the start position and the end position at which ink is ejected from the nozzles provided in the moving print head are determined. At least one of them is changed for each nozzle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of a start position and an end position at which ink is ejected from a nozzle provided in a moving print head may be changed for each nozzle in accordance with only the inclination.
[0092]
However, by doing so, the information for determining an appropriate start position or end position at which ink is ejected from the nozzles provided in the moving print head is increased, so that the appropriate start position or end position is determined. The above-described embodiment is more desirable in that it can be determined with high accuracy.
[0093]
In the above-described embodiment, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided on the carriage having the print head and movable in the main scanning direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the carriage, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit may be configured to be separately movable in the main scanning direction.
[0094]
However, the above-described embodiment is more desirable in that the moving mechanism for the carriage, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit can be shared by doing so.
[0095]
In the above description, one embodiment has been described assuming that the edge of the printing paper is a side edge of the printing paper, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the edge of the printing paper may be an edge (hereinafter, also referred to as a lower end) located on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction of the printing paper.
[0096]
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to obtain the ink discharge start position and the ink discharge end position. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 described above, except that the end of the printing paper that first passes when the print head 36 moves in the main scanning direction is not the side end but the lower end. ing.
[0097]
First, focus on the central portion of the printing paper P shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the distance between the reflection type optical sensor 29 and the nozzle N in the paper feed direction indicated by a dotted line on the lower side is y, the inclination of the printing paper P is the angle θ, and the position B and the edge of the printing paper P Assuming that the distance in the main scanning direction from the point at which the nozzle N of the print head 36 that moves in the main scanning direction passes is x2, the relationship x2 = y / tan θ is established.
[0098]
Here, the angle θ and the distance y can be obtained by the same method as described above. Then, the distance x2 can be obtained by substituting the obtained angle θ and the distance y into the above equation.
[0099]
Next, focus on the right portion of the printing paper P shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the distance between the reflection type optical sensor 29 and the nozzle N in the paper feeding direction indicated by a dotted line on the lower side is y, the inclination of the printing paper P is the angle θ, and the position C and the end of the printing paper P Assuming that the distance in the main scanning direction from the point at which the nozzle N of the print head 36 that moves in the main scanning direction passes the second time is x, the relationship x = y × tan θ is established. Then, the distance x can be obtained by substituting the angle θ and the distance y obtained by the above method into this equation.
[0100]
Then, based on the position B in the main scanning direction and the distance x2, a position at which ink ejection from the nozzle N is started is determined, and based on the position C in the main scanning direction and the distance x, the position from the nozzle N is determined. The position at which the ejection of the ink is ended can be determined.
[0101]
Further, in the above embodiment, the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction to detect a change in the output value of the light receiving unit due to the light emitted by the light emitting unit blocking the edge of the printing paper. Based on the above, the start position or the end position at which ink is ejected from the print head moving in the main scanning direction when the carriage is moved again in the main scanning direction is changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a single movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, a change in the output value of the light receiving unit is detected, and based on the detection, a start position or an end position at which ink is ejected from the print head moving in the main scanning direction. The position may be changed.
[0102]
However, in the latter method, when a change in the output value of the light receiving unit is detected, some of the nozzles of the print head may have already passed through the edge of the printing paper. It is necessary to take measures such as starting the ink ejection in advance regardless of the presence or absence of the detection. On the other hand, the method according to the embodiment has no such inconvenience, and is more desirable in this respect.
[0103]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing paper is stopped, and the light emitting unit is moved in the main scanning direction, so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit blocks the edge of the printing paper, so that the output value of the light receiving unit is reduced. By detecting a change, the position of the end was specified, and the start position or the end position at which ink was ejected from the print head moving in the main scanning direction was changed according to the obtained inclination and the position of the end. However, the position of the end, which is information used for determining an appropriate start position or end position, does not necessarily need to be specified immediately before.
[0104]
Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9E, it is detected that the light has passed the right end of the printing paper (the side end located on the left side in the figure). Although the inclination θ is obtained, the present invention is not limited to this. The inclination θ may be obtained by detecting that light has passed through the left end of the printing paper (the side end located on the right side in the figure). Further, in order to increase the accuracy, the inclination θ may be obtained by detecting that the light has passed through both the right end and the left end of the printing paper.
[0105]
=== Configuration of Computer System, etc. ===
Next, an embodiment of a computer system which is an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0106]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the computer system. The computer system 1000 includes a computer main body 1102, a display device 1104, a printer 1106, an input device 1108, and a reading device 1110. In the present embodiment, the computer main body 1102 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited to this. The display device 1104 generally uses a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 1106, the printer described above is used. In the present embodiment, the input device 1108 uses the keyboard 1108A and the mouse 1108B, but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the reading device 1110 uses the flexible disk drive device 1110A and the CD-ROM drive device 1110B, but is not limited thereto. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk).
[0107]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the computer system shown in FIG. An internal memory 1202 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 1204 are further provided in a housing in which the computer main body 1102 is stored.
[0108]
In the above description, an example in which the printer 1106 is connected to the computer main body 1102, the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110 to form a computer system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the computer system may include the computer main body 1102 and the printer 1106, and the computer system does not need to include any of the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110.
[0109]
Further, for example, the printer 1106 may have some of the functions or mechanisms of the computer main body 1102, the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110. As an example, the printer 1106 includes an image processing unit for performing image processing, a display unit for performing various displays, and a recording medium attaching / detaching unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium for recording image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as composition which has.
[0110]
The computer system implemented in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole.
[0111]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the liquid discharge apparatus which reduces the consumption of a liquid, and a computer system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system as an example of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a main configuration of the color inkjet printer 20.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a reflection type optical sensor 29.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration around a carriage of the inkjet printer.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a linear encoder 11 attached to a carriage 28.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing waveforms of two output signals of the linear encoder 11 at the time of forward rotation and reverse rotation of the CR motor.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the color inkjet printer 20.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a nozzle arrangement on the lower surface of the print head.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a positional relationship among a print head 36, a reflective optical sensor 29, and a print sheet P.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of obtaining an ink ejection start position and an ink ejection end position.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of obtaining an ink ejection start position and an ink ejection end position.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a computer system.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the computer system shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Linear encoder
12 Code plate for linear encoder
13 Rotary encoder
14 Code plate for rotary encoder
20 color inkjet printer
21 CRT
22 Paper Stacker
24 Paper feed roller
25 pulley
26 Platen
28 carriage
29 Reflective Optical Sensor
30 Carriage motor
31 Paper feed motor
32 Towing belt
34 Guide Rail
36 print head
38 Light emitting unit
40 light receiving section
50 buffer memory
52 Image Buffer
54 System Controller
56 main memory
58 EEPROM
61 Main scanning drive circuit
62 Sub-scanning drive circuit
63 Head drive circuit
65 Reflection type optical sensor control circuit
66 Electric signal measurement section
90 Computer
91 Video Driver
95 Application programs
96 Printer Driver
97 Resolution Conversion Module
98 color conversion module
99 Halftone Module
100 rasterizer
101 User interface display module
102 UI printer interface module
1000 computer system
1102 Computer body
1104 Display device
1106 Printer
1108 Input device
1108A keyboard
1108B mouse
1110 Reader
1110A Flexible disk drive device
1110B CD-ROM drive device
1202 Internal memory
1204 Hard disk drive unit

Claims (13)

A liquid ejecting apparatus including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid, a movable ejection head, and a feeding mechanism for sending a medium in a predetermined feeding direction, and ejecting liquid from the nozzle to the medium. At
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle in accordance with a tilt of the medium. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
The edge of the medium is detected at a plurality of points to determine the inclination of the medium,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle in accordance with the obtained inclination. . In the liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2,
A liquid discharging apparatus, which discharges a liquid on the entire surface of the medium. In the liquid ejection device according to claim 2 or 3,
A light emitting unit for emitting light, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light moving in the main scanning direction according to the movement of the light emitting unit in the main scanning direction,
The light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the end, by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism a plurality of times, A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the inclination of the medium is obtained. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4,
The light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the end, twice by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism,
Of the two detections, the difference between the position of the light emitting unit when the change is detected for the first time and the position of the light emitting unit when the change is detected for the second time,
Based on the medium feed amount from when the change is detected for the first time to when the change is detected for the second time,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the inclination of the medium is obtained. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4,
The light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the end by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism a plurality of times. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein an inclination of the medium is obtained based on an approximate straight line obtained from the light emitting means and the position information of the medium at the time of detecting a plurality of times. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The medium is kept stationary, and the light emitting unit is moved in the main scanning direction to detect a change in an output value of the light receiving sensor due to the light emitted by the light emitting unit blocking an end of the medium. , Determine the location of the end,
A liquid, wherein at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle according to the inclination and the position of the end. Discharge device. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the light emitting means and the light receiving sensor are provided on a movable member having the ejection head and movable in a main scanning direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the medium is a side end of the medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
The end of the medium is an end located on the upstream side in the feed direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The liquid is ink;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a printing apparatus that performs printing on the printing medium as the medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles. Equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid, a movable ejection head, and a feeding mechanism for sending the medium in a predetermined feeding direction, and the liquid is ejected from the nozzles over the entire surface of the medium. In a liquid discharge device that discharges,
A light emitting unit for emitting light; a light receiving sensor for receiving the light moving in the main scanning direction in accordance with the movement of the light emitting unit in the main scanning direction; The light emitting means and the light receiving sensor are provided on a movable member that can be moved to,
A change in the output value of the light receiving sensor caused by the light emitted by the light emitting means moving in the main scanning direction blocking the side edge of the medium is detected twice by changing the position of the medium by the feed mechanism. The difference between the position of the light emitting unit when the change is detected for the first time and the position of the light emitting unit when the change is detected for the second time, The inclination of the medium is determined based on the amount of medium feeding from the time when the change is detected to the time when the change is detected for the second time, the medium is stopped, and the light emitting unit is main-scanned. Moving in the direction, the light emitted by the light emitting means detects a change in the output value of the light receiving sensor due to blocking the side edge of the medium, to identify the position of the side edge,
In accordance with the inclination and the position of the side end, at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected from a nozzle provided in the moving ejection head is changed for each nozzle. Liquid ejection device. A computer main body, a display device connectable to the computer main body, and a liquid ejection device connectable to the computer main body, comprising a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid, a movable ejection head, and a predetermined medium. And a feed mechanism for feeding in a feed direction, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus ejects liquid from the nozzle to the medium, wherein the liquid is ejected from the nozzle provided on the ejection head that moves according to the inclination of the medium. A computer system comprising: a liquid ejection device that changes at least one of a start position and an end position at which liquid is ejected for each nozzle.

Images