JP2004082555A - Print position adjustment method, printing apparatus, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

In particular, there is provided a print position adjusting method, a printing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium capable of adjusting a shift of a print position with high precision in order to realize printing of a high-quality image such as a photographic image.
A print position adjustment pattern is printed by a plurality of print element groups in a print head, and a print head forward scan and a backward scan are performed based on a print position adjustment value determined from the print result. Adjust the print position between them. When the print element has an ejection port capable of ejecting ink and the ejection ports are arranged in a plurality of rows on three chips constituting the print head, a typical ejection port in each chip is provided. The patterns F, G, and H for bidirectional registration are printed by using nozzle rows for black ink ejection, cyan ink ejection, and magenta ink ejection.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention relates to a print position adjusting method, a printing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium, and is particularly suitable for application to an inkjet printing apparatus.
[0002]
The present invention can be applied not only to a general printing apparatus but also to an apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile having a communication system, a word processor having a printing section, and an industrial recording apparatus in which various processing apparatuses are combined. can do.
[0003]
[Prior art]
A so-called serial scanning type image recording apparatus that performs a printing operation while scanning a print head (hereinafter, also referred to as a “recording head” or a “head”) on a print medium is applied to various image formations. I have. In particular, the ink jet type has been rapidly spreading because of the recent progress in high resolution and colorization and remarkable improvement in image quality. In such an apparatus, a so-called multi-nozzle head is used in which ejection ports for ejecting ink, for example, as droplets are integrated. At present, higher-resolution images can be formed by increasing the integration density of ejection ports and decreasing the amount of ink ejected per dot. On the other hand, in order to realize an image quality closer to silver halide photography, in addition to the four basic inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks), light inks with reduced densities are also used at the same time. Various technologies are being developed, such as those that perform recording. In addition, the decrease in recording speed, which has been a concern as the image quality has progressed, can be dealt with by increasing the number of print elements, increasing the drive frequency, and employing technologies such as bidirectional printing. As a result, good throughput has been obtained.
[0004]
FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a general configuration of a printer that performs printing using the multi-nozzle. In this figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a head cartridge provided corresponding to, for example, four color inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Each head cartridge 1901 has a head in which an ink tank 1902T filled with ink of a corresponding color and a large number of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink supplied from the ink tank onto recording paper 1907 as a print medium are arranged. And 1902H.
[0005]
Reference numeral 1903 denotes a paper feed roller (feed roller), which rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure while holding the recording sheet 1907 in cooperation with the auxiliary roller 1904, thereby moving the recording sheet 1907 in the sub-scanning direction of the arrow y as needed. Transport. Reference numeral 1905 denotes a pair of paper feed rollers for feeding the print paper 1907 toward the print position while nipping the print paper 1907. The print paper 1907 is placed between the pair of paper feed rollers 1905 and the rollers 1903 and 1904. It also performs the function of keeping it flat.
[0006]
A carriage 1906 supports the four head cartridges 1901 and moves them in the main scanning direction during a printing operation. When printing is not performed, or when performing a recovery operation for maintaining good ink discharge performance of the head unit 1902H, the carriage 1906 moves to a position (home position) h indicated by a broken line in the figure.
[0007]
Before starting printing, the carriage 1906 located at the home position h starts moving in the x direction in response to a print start command, and prints from a plurality (n) of ejection ports provided in the head unit 1902H. Ink is ejected according to the data, and printing is performed with a width corresponding to the arrangement range of the ejection ports. Then, when the printing operation up to the end in the x direction of the recording paper 1907 is completed, in the case of the one-way printing method, the carriage 1906 returns to the home position h and performs the printing operation while moving in the x direction again. . In the case of the bidirectional printing method, the printing operation is also performed when the carriage 1906 moves in the −x direction toward the home position h. In any case, after one printing operation (one scan) in which the carriage 1906 moves in one direction is completed, and before the next printing operation is started, the paper feed roller 1903 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the arrow direction in the drawing. Then, the recording paper 1097 is conveyed in the y direction by a predetermined amount (the width of the ejection port array). By repeating the printing operation of one scan and the conveyance of the recording paper of a predetermined width as described above, the printing of the data of one recording paper is completed.
[0008]
In such a serial type ink jet printer, various devices have been devised with respect to the configuration of the recording head or the printing method in order to cope with higher-resolution image recording.
[0009]
For example, in the manufacture of a multi-nozzle head, there is inevitably a limit to the nozzle array density in one row.
[0010]
FIG. 20A shows a configuration example of a head for realizing higher-density recording. This head is provided with two ejection port arrays in the x direction in which a large number of ejection ports are arranged at a predetermined pitch py in the y direction, and these ejection port arrays are shifted in the x direction by a distance px corresponding to a predetermined number of pixels. The discharge ports are arranged so as to be shifted by (py / 2) in the y direction between the discharge port arrays. As a result, it is possible to realize a resolution twice as high as the resolution per one ejection port array. Further, when applied to the apparatus of FIG. 19, a head having a configuration as shown in FIG. 20A can be used for one color ink, and it can be juxtaposed in the x direction corresponding to six color inks. . With this configuration, it is possible to realize color printing with a resolution twice as high as the resolution per one ejection port array by adjusting only the ejection timing of the ink between the ejection port arrays.
[0011]
Further, as in the technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,355 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-242025, the multi-nozzle array configuration in the head is set to correspond to low resolution while the paper feed amount for each printing scan is set. In some cases, high-resolution printing is realized by setting the (recording paper transport amount) to a predetermined number of pixels equal to or less than the length of the nozzle row (ejection port row). Such a recording method is also called an interlace recording method.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a head as shown in FIG. 20A is used, even-numbered rasters and odd-numbered rasters which are alternately arranged in the y-direction (sub-scanning direction) are recorded in different ejection port arrays, so that There is a possibility that the landing positions of the ink droplets (the positions at which the dots are formed) may be slightly displaced, thereby deteriorating the image quality. The cause is that the surface (face surface) F of the head provided with the discharge port is deformed due to swelling by ink, a rise in temperature, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the face surface F is deformed in a convex shape between an ejection port array involved in odd-number raster printing and an ejection port array involved in even-number raster printing, The ink droplets I are ejected from the respective ejection ports in a direction in which the ink droplets open in a “C” shape. Even a slight displacement of the ink droplet landing position between rasters caused by such a phenomenon adversely affects the image quality, and becomes a particularly serious problem in realizing high-resolution photographic image quality. .
[0013]
As a recording method for forming the same image area by scanning the head a plurality of times, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-129985, an ink droplet landing position is adjusted (hereinafter, “print position adjustment”). Alternatively, a method of controlling the driving timing of the nozzle is adopted for performing the registration.
[0014]
However, in particular, as the number of nozzles in the head, the number of chips, and the number of colors of ink used increase, the frequency of use of each nozzle of the recording head may greatly differ. In that case, sufficient adjustment could not be performed by the conventional method. For example, when a certain nozzle group has a specific ink ejection characteristic in a group due to a difference in frequency of use, due to a difference in ink ejection order between forward scan and backward scan in bidirectional printing, In addition, a portion where the landing position of the ink droplet is displaced appears as a color difference, and a horizontal stripe-shaped density unevenness or the like along the main scanning direction occurs, which may significantly lower the image quality.
[0015]
The difference in the use frequency of the nozzles is that, for example, when a head that ejects six colors of ink of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta is used, black ink is almost used in the business scene. In contrast, the frequency of use of light cyan and light magenta inks is quite low, so the frequency of use of nozzles in black ink discharge heads is relatively high, and the use of nozzles in light cyan and light magenta ink discharge heads The frequency tends to be relatively low. In addition, when a marginal print in which the entire surface of a sheet is a recording area is performed with photographic quality by a recent inkjet printer, only a specific part of the nozzle row is used for upper and lower ends in the sheet transport direction. Since printing is performed using only a specific part of the nozzle group, deterioration of only a specific part of the nozzle group progresses more than other nozzle groups, the ink ejection speed changes, and the deviation of the landing position of the ink droplet during bidirectional printing becomes a stripe. May appear as density irregularities.
[0016]
Generally, adjustment of the landing position of ink droplets between forward scanning and backward scanning in bidirectional printing (hereinafter, also referred to as “bidirectional registration”) is performed immediately after a printer is purchased, by a typical one-chip head. (Generally, a head for discharging black ink) only, and does not respond to a subsequent change in the discharge speed according to the use environment of the user. Further, bidirectional registration is not updated for each head corresponding to the ink color, and further for each nozzle, according to the distribution of the ink ejection speed corresponding to the difference in the frequency of use of the nozzles. This is because there is no variation in the ink ejection speed for each nozzle when the printer is shipped from the manufacturer, and even if there is a difference in the frequency of use of the nozzles under the user's usage environment at the function level of the conventional printer, the ink ejection speed This is because variations in the speed and the ejection direction did not occur, or the variations were within the formation range of one pixel.
[0017]
However, in the case of a printer that requires high-definition timing control, such as a recording resolution in the main scanning direction that is twice that of a conventional printer, even a small difference in ejection speed or difference in ejection direction may degrade image quality. Therefore, in such a printer, control (registration) of driving timing of nozzles corresponding to high resolution, which has not been required until now, is required, and in order to achieve the level, the driving timing must be controlled for each nozzle group. Needs to be set precisely.
[0018]
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a print position adjusting method, a printing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium capable of adjusting a shift of a print position with high precision in order to realize printing of a high-quality image such as a photographic image. Is to do.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The print position adjusting method according to the present invention is a print position adjusting method for adjusting a print position between a forward scan and a backward scan of a print head in which a plurality of print elements are arranged, wherein the plurality of print elements are arranged. The elements are divided into a plurality of print element groups, and for at least two of the plurality of print element groups, the drive timing of the print elements between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head is shifted to adjust the print position. In order to adjust the print position between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head, a print position adjustment value determined from the printed print position adjustment pattern is input. It is characterized by doing.
[0020]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, the print head includes a plurality of chips on which the plurality of print elements are arranged, and the plurality of print element groups can be grouped according to the chips.
[0021]
Further, in the print position adjusting method according to the present invention, the print head may arrange the plurality of print elements on a plurality of rows, and the plurality of print element groups may be grouped according to the rows.
[0022]
Further, in the print position adjusting method according to the present invention, the plurality of print element groups can be grouped according to the use frequency of the print elements.
[0023]
Further, in the print position adjusting method according to the present invention, the plurality of print element groups can be divided into groups according to print colors by the print elements.
[0024]
Further, in the print position adjusting method according to the present invention, the print head includes a plurality of chips in which the plurality of print elements are arranged, and the plurality of print elements are arranged on a plurality of rows, and the plurality of print elements are arranged. Element groups can be grouped by at least one of the chip, the rows, the frequency of use of the print elements, or the colors printed by the print elements.
[0025]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, the drive timing of the print element between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head can be adjusted based on the adjustment value of the print position.
[0026]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, the print head may be a head capable of discharging ink, and the print element may have a discharge port for discharging ink.
[0027]
In the print position adjustment method according to the present invention, the print position adjustment pattern can determine an adjustment value for adjusting a print position shift caused by at least one of the ink ejection speed and the ink ejection direction. is there.
[0028]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, a change in the ink ejection performance from the ejection port in the plurality of print elements is predicted, and the change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection port is predicted according to the predicted degree of the change. , The print element groups can be grouped.
[0029]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, the degree of change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection port is at least one of the frequency of use of the print element, the physical properties of the ejected ink, or the temperature near the ejection port. Can be predicted based on
[0030]
Further, in the print position adjusting method according to the present invention, the use frequency of the print element can be obtained by counting the number of dots formed based on image data.
[0031]
Further, in the print position adjusting method of the present invention, when the degree of change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection port becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is possible to prompt the user to perform the print position adjustment operation.
[0032]
The printing apparatus of the present invention uses a print head in which a plurality of print elements are arranged, and in a printing apparatus capable of performing printing according to forward scan and backward scan of the print head, the plurality of print elements are printed by a plurality of print elements. A print position adjustment pattern is printed by shifting the drive timing of the print element between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head for at least two of the plurality of print element groups. Means for inputting a print position adjustment value determined from the printed print position adjustment pattern in order to adjust the print position between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head. , Is provided.
[0033]
Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print head is a head capable of discharging ink, and the print element may have a discharge port for discharging ink.
[0034]
Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print position adjustment pattern can determine an adjustment value for adjusting a print position shift caused by at least one of the ink ejection speed and the ink ejection direction.
[0035]
Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, a predicting unit for predicting a change in ink ejection performance from the ejection port in the plurality of printing elements, and a method according to the predicted degree of change in ink ejection performance from the ejection port. Means for grouping the print element groups.
[0036]
Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the predicting means for predicting a change in ink ejection performance from the ejection port in the plurality of print elements, and the degree of change in the predicted ink ejection performance from the ejection port is predetermined. Means for prompting the user to perform a print position adjustment operation when the above is achieved.
[0037]
Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the predicting unit discharges the ink from the discharge port based on at least one of a frequency of use of the print element, a physical property of the discharged ink, or a temperature near the discharge port. The degree of performance change can be predicted.
[0038]
Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the prediction unit can obtain the frequency of use of the print element by counting the number of dots formed based on the image data.
[0039]
The control program of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to execute the print position adjusting method of the present invention.
[0040]
The storage medium of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the print position adjusting method of the present invention.
[0041]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the embodiment described below, a printer as a recording apparatus using an inkjet recording method will be described as an example.
[0042]
In this specification, the term “print” (also referred to as “record”) refers not only to the formation of significant information such as characters and figures, but also to the perception of human beings, whether significant or insignificant. Irrespective of whether or not the surface is obtained so as to be obtained, a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a print medium or a case where the medium is processed is also referred to.
[0043]
Here, "print medium" or "recording sheet" means not only paper used in a general printing apparatus, but also a wide range such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, ink, etc. Is also acceptable, but may be simply referred to as "paper" below.
[0044]
Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted broadly as in the definition of “print” described above, and is provided on a print medium to enable the image, pattern, pattern, etc. It refers to a liquid that can be subjected to formation or processing of the print medium, or processing of the ink (eg, solidification or insolubilization of the color material in the ink applied to the print medium).
[0045]
(1st Embodiment)
1. Equipment body
1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a printer using an ink jet recording system. In FIG. 1, the outer shell of the apparatus main body M1000 of the printer in this embodiment includes an outer member including a lower case M1001, an upper case M1002, an access cover M1003, and a discharge tray M1004, and a chassis M3019 ( FIG. 2).
[0046]
The chassis M3019 is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity, forms a skeleton of a recording apparatus, and holds each recording operation mechanism described later.
Also, the lower case M1001 forms a substantially lower half of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000, and the upper case M1002 forms a substantially upper half of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000. It has a hollow body structure having a storage space for storing each mechanism. Openings are formed in the upper surface and the front surface of the apparatus main body M1000, respectively.
[0047]
Further, one end of the discharge tray M1004 is rotatably held by the lower case M1001, and the rotation allows the opening formed in the front surface of the lower case M1001 to be opened and closed. Therefore, when the recording operation is performed, the recording sheet can be discharged from here by rotating the discharge tray M1004 toward the front side to open the opening, and the discharged recording sheet P can be sequentially discharged. It can be loaded. Further, the paper discharge tray M1004 contains two auxiliary trays M1004a and M1004b. By pulling out each tray as needed, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.
[0048]
One end of the access cover M1003 is rotatably held by the upper case M1002, and can open and close an opening formed on the upper surface. By opening the access cover M1003, the recording head cartridge H1000 or the ink tank H1900 housed inside the main body can be replaced. Although not shown here, when the access cover M1003 is opened and closed, a projection formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening / closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a microswitch or the like. Thereby, the open / close state of the access cover M1003 can be detected.
[0049]
On the rear upper surface of the upper case M1002, a power key E0018 and a resume key E0019 are provided so as to be able to be pressed, and an LED E0020 is provided. When the power key E0018 is pressed, the LED E0020 is turned on to enable recording. This is to inform the operator that there is something. The LED E0020 has various display functions such as changing the blinking method and color, and notifying an operator of a printer trouble or the like. Further, the buzzer E0021 (FIG. 5) can be smoothed. When the trouble or the like is solved, the recording is restarted by pressing the resume key E0019.
[0050]
2. Recording operation mechanism
Next, a recording operation mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment that is stored and held in the apparatus main body M1000 of the printer will be described.
[0051]
The recording operation mechanism according to the present embodiment includes an automatic feeding unit M3022 that automatically feeds a recording sheet (print medium) P into the apparatus main body, and a recording sheet P sent one by one from the automatic feeding unit. A transport unit M3029 that guides the recording sheet to a predetermined recording position and guides the recording sheet from the recording position to the discharge unit M3030, a recording unit that performs desired recording on the recording sheet P that has been transported to the recording position, and a recovery unit for the recording unit and the like. And a recovery unit (M5000) for performing processing.
[0052]
The recording section includes a carriage M4001 supported by a carriage shaft M4021 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow X, and a recording head cartridge H1000 removably mounted on the carriage M4001.
[0053]
2.1 Recording head cartridge
First, a recording head cartridge used in the recording section will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0054]
The print head cartridge H1000 in this embodiment includes an ink tank H1900 that stores ink and a print head H1001 that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank H1900 from nozzles according to print information, as shown in FIG. Have. The recording head H1001 employs a so-called cartridge system which is removably mounted on the carriage M4001.
[0055]
In the recording head cartridge H1000 shown here, in order to enable recording of a photographic high-quality color image, for example, black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta and yellow independent inks are used as ink tanks. Tanks H1900 are provided, which are detachable from the recording head H1001, as shown in FIG.
[0056]
2.2 Carriage
Next, a carriage M4001 on which the print head cartridge H1000 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 2, a carriage M4001 is engaged with the carriage M4001, and guides the recording head H1001 to a predetermined mounting position on the carriage M4001, and a tank holder H1500 of the recording head H1001. And a head set lever M4007 for pressing the recording head H1001 to a predetermined mounting position.
[0058]
A headset plate (not shown) is provided at an upper portion of the carriage M4001 so as to be rotatable with respect to a headset lever shaft, and is spring-biased at an engagement portion with the recording head H1001. With the spring force, the head set lever M4007 is configured to attach the print head H1001 to the carriage M4001 while pressing the print head H1001.
[0059]
Further, a contact flexible print cable (see FIG. 5; hereinafter, referred to as “contact FPC”) E0011 is provided at another engagement portion of the carriage M4001 with the recording head H1001. The contact portion on the contact FPC E0011 and the contact portion (external signal input terminal) H1301 provided on the recording head H1001 are in electrical contact with each other to transfer various information for recording and to supply power to the recording head H1001. Supply can be performed.
[0060]
An elastic member such as rubber (not shown) is provided between the contact portion of the contact FPC E0011 and the carriage M4001, and the elastic force of the elastic member and the pressing force of the headset lever spring act on the contact portion and the carriage M4001. It is designed to allow reliable contact with the vehicle. Further, the contact FPCE0011 is connected to a carriage substrate E0013 mounted on the back of the carriage M4001 (see FIG. 5).
[0061]
3. Scanner
The printer in this embodiment can be used as a reading device by mounting a scanner on the carriage M4001 instead of the above-described recording head cartridge H1000.
[0062]
This scanner moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage M4001 on the printer side, and in the process of moving in the main scanning direction, reads a document image fed instead of a print medium. Then, by alternately performing the reading operation in the main scanning direction and the feeding operation in the sub-scanning direction of the document, one document image information can be read.
[0063]
4. Configuration of printer electric circuit
Next, an electric circuit configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of an electric circuit according to this embodiment.
[0064]
The electric circuit in this embodiment mainly includes a carriage board (CRPCB) E0013, a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) E0014, a power supply unit E0015, and the like. The power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main PCB E0014 and supplies various driving powers.
[0065]
The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage M4001 (FIG. 2), functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the recording head H1001 through the contact FPC E0011, and in accordance with the movement of the carriage M4001. Based on the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor E0004, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor E0004 is detected, and the output signal is output to the main PCB E0014 via a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012.
[0066]
Further, a main PCB E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls the driving of each unit of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment, and includes a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) E0007, an ASF (automatic paper feeder) sensor E0009, and a cover sensor E0022. , A parallel interface (parallel I / F) E0016, a serial interface (serial I / F) E0017, a resume key E0019, an LED E0020, a power key E0018, a buzzer E0021, and the like. Further, a motor (CR motor) E0001 serving as a drive source for main scanning of the carriage M1400, a motor (LF motor) E0002 serving as a drive source for transporting a print medium, a rotation operation of the print head H1001, and a print medium In addition to being connected to a motor (PG motor) E0003 which is also used for the paper feeding operation of the printer and controlling the driving thereof, it is also connected to an ink empty sensor E0006, a GAP sensor E0008, a PG sensor E0010, a CRFFC E0012, and a power supply unit E0015. Has an interface.
[0067]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main PCB E0014.
In the figure, reference numeral E1001 denotes a CPU. The CPU E1001 includes a clock generator (CG) E1002 connected to an oscillation circuit E1005, and generates a system clock by an output signal E1019. The CPU E1001 is connected to a ROM E1004 and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) E1006 through a control bus E1014, and controls the ASIC E1006 according to a program stored in the ROM, an input signal E1017 from a power key, and a signal from a resume key. The states of the input signal E1016, the cover detection signal E1042, and the head detection signal (HSENS) E1013 are detected. Further, the CPU E1001 drives the buzzer E0021 by the buzzer signal (BUZ) E1018, and the state of the ink empty detection signal (INKS) E1011 connected to the built-in A / D converter E1003 and the temperature detection signal (TH) E1012 by the thermistor. , While performing various other logical operations and condition determination, etc., and controls the driving of the inkjet recording apparatus.
[0068]
Here, the head detection signal E1013 is a head mounting detection signal input from the recording head cartridge H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage board E0013, and the contact flexible print cable E0011. The ink empty detection signal E1011 is an analog signal output from the ink empty sensor E0006, and the temperature detection signal E1012 is an analog signal from a thermistor (not shown) provided on the carriage substrate E0013.
[0069]
Reference numeral E1008 denotes a CR motor driver, which uses a motor power supply (VM) E1040 as a drive source, generates a CR motor drive signal E1037 according to a CR motor control signal E1036 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the CR motor E0001. E1009 is an LF / PG motor driver, which uses a motor power supply E1040 as a drive source, generates an LF motor drive signal E1035 in accordance with a pulse motor control signal (PM control signal) E1033 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the LF motor. At the same time, a PG motor drive signal E1034 is generated to drive the PG motor.
[0070]
Reference numeral E1010 denotes a power supply control circuit, which controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element according to a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1006. The parallel I / F E0016 transmits the parallel I / F signal E1030 from the ASIC E1006 to the externally connected parallel I / F cable E1031, and transmits the signal of the parallel I / F cable E1031 to the ASIC E1006. The serial I / F E0017 transmits a serial I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1006 to an externally connected serial I / F cable E1029, and transmits a signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1006.
[0071]
On the other hand, from the power supply unit E0015, a head power supply (VH) E1039, a motor power supply (VM) E1040, and a logic power supply (VDD) E1041 are supplied. Further, a head power supply ON signal (VHON) E1022 and a motor power supply ON signal (VMOM) E1023 from the ASIC E1006 are input to the power supply unit E0015 to control ON / OFF of the head power supply E1039 and the motor power supply E1040, respectively. The logic power supply (VDD) E1041 supplied from the power supply unit E0015 is voltage-converted as necessary, and then supplied to various parts inside and outside the main PCB E0014.
[0072]
The head power supply signal E1039 is sent to the flexible flat cable E0011 after being smoothed on the main PCB E0014, and is used for driving the recording head cartridge H1000.
[0073]
A reset circuit E1007 detects a drop in the logic power supply voltage E1041, supplies a reset signal (RESET) E1015 to the CPU E1001 and the ASIC E1006, and performs initialization.
[0074]
The ASIC E1006 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit, which is controlled by the CPU E1001 through the control bus E1014, and which has the above-described CR motor control signal E1036, PM control signal E1033, power control signal E1024, head power ON signal E1022, and motor power. It outputs an ON signal E1023 and the like, and transmits and receives signals to and from the parallel I / F E0016 and the serial I / F E0017. Further, the ASIC E1006 includes a PE detection signal (PES) E1025 from the PE sensor E0007, an ASF detection signal (ASFS) E1026 from the ASF sensor E0009, and a sensor (GAP) sensor E0008 for detecting a gap between the recording head and the recording medium. , And the state of the PG detection signal (PGS) E1032 from the PG sensor E0010 is detected, and data representing the state is transmitted to the CPU E1001 through the control bus E1014. The CPU E1001 controls the driving of the LED driving signal E1038 based on the input data to blink the LEDE0020.
[0075]
Further, the ASIC E1006 detects the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020, generates a timing signal, and controls the printing operation by interfacing with the printhead cartridge H1000 by the head control signal E1021. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the CR encoder sensor E0004 input through the flexible flat cable E0012. The head control signal E1021 is supplied to the print head H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage board E0013, and the contact FPC E0011.
[0076]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the ASIC E1006.
In the figure, the connection between the blocks shows only the flow of data related to the control of the head and the mechanical components such as the recording data and the motor control data, and the reading and writing of the registers built in each block are shown. Related control signals, clocks, control signals related to DMA control, and the like are omitted to avoid complication in the drawings.
[0077]
In the figure, reference numeral E2002 denotes a PLL controller which generates a clock (not shown) to be supplied to most of the ASIC E1006 by a clock signal (CLK) E2031 and a PLL control signal (PLLON) E2033 output from the CPU E1001. .
[0078]
E2001 is a CPU interface (CPU I / F), which is controlled by a reset signal E1015, a soft reset signal (PDWN) E2032 output from the CPU E1001, a clock signal (CLK) E2031, and a control signal from the control bus E1014. It controls register read / write for each block as described, supplies a clock to some blocks, accepts an interrupt signal, etc. (none of them are shown), and outputs an interrupt signal (INT) E2034 to the CPU E1001. Then, the occurrence of an interrupt in the ASIC E1006 is notified.
[0079]
Reference numeral E2005 denotes a DRAM, which has various areas such as a reception buffer E2010, a work buffer E2011, a print buffer E2014, and a development data buffer E2016 as data buffers for recording, and a motor control buffer E2023 for motor control. . Further, the DRAM E2005 has, as buffers used in the scanner operation mode, areas such as a scanner fetch buffer E2024, a scanner data buffer E2026, and a transmission buffer E2028 which are used in place of the above-described recording data buffers.
[0080]
The DRAM E2005 is also used as a work area necessary for the operation of the CPU E1001. In other words, reference numeral E2004 denotes a DRAM control unit, which switches between access from the CPU E1001 to the DRAM E2005 via the control bus and access from the DMA control unit E2003 to the DRAM E2005, which will be described later, to perform a read / write operation to the DRAM E2005.
[0081]
The DMA control unit E2003 receives a request (not shown) from each block, and receives an address signal and a control signal (not shown), and in the case of a write operation, write data E2038, E2041, E2044, E2053, E2055, and E2057. Are output to the DRAM control unit E2004 to perform DRAM access. In the case of reading, the read data E2040, E2043, E2045, E2051, E2054, E2056, E2058, and E2059 from the DRAM control unit E2004 are transferred to the request source block.
[0082]
E2006 is an IEEE1284 I / F, and performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through the parallel I / F E0016 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE2001. Further, the IEEE 1284 I / FE 2006 transfers the received data (PIF received data E2036) from the parallel I / FE 0016 to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing at the time of recording, and is stored in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005 at the time of scanning. The data (IEEE1284 transmission data (RDPIF) E2059) is transmitted to the parallel I / F by DMA processing.
[0083]
E2007 is a universal serial bus (USB) I / F, and performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through the serial I / F E0017 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. Further, the USB I / FE 2007 transfers the received data (USB received data E2037) from the serial I / F E0017 to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing at the time of printing, and stores it in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005 at the time of scanning. The transmitted data (USB transmission data (RDUSB) E2058) is transmitted to the serial I / F E0017 by DMA processing. The reception control unit E2008 writes the reception data (WDIF) E2038 from the selected I / F of the 1284 I / FE 2006 or the USB I / FE 2007 into the reception buffer write address managed by the reception buffer control unit E2039. .
[0084]
Reference numeral E2009 denotes a compression / decompression DMA controller, which controls the reception data (raster data) stored in the reception buffer E2010 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to read the reception buffer read address managed by the reception buffer control unit E2039. And compresses / decompresses the data (RDWK) E2040 in accordance with the designated mode, and writes the data (RDWK) E2041 in the work buffer area as a recording code string (WDWK) E2041.
[0085]
A print buffer transfer DMA controller E2013 reads a print code (RDWP) E2043 on the work buffer E2011 under the control of the CPU E1007 via the CPU I / F E2001, and transfers each print code to the print head cartridge H1000 in the data transfer order. (WDWP E2044). Reference numeral E2012 denotes a work clear DMA controller, which controls the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to control the write buffer transfer DMA controller E2013 to transfer the specified work fill data (WDWF) to the area on the work buffer to which the transfer has been completed. E2042 is repeatedly written.
[0086]
Reference numeral E2015 denotes a print data development DMA controller, which is rearranged and written on the print buffer under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001, using the data development timing signal E2050 from the head control unit E2018 as a trigger. The code and the data for development written on the data buffer for development E2016 are read, and the development record data (RDHDG) E2045 is written to the column buffer E2017 as column buffer write data (WDHDG) E2047. Here, the column buffer E2017 is an SRAM for temporarily storing transfer data (expanded print data) to the print head cartridge H1000, and a handshake signal (not shown) between the print data expanded DMA controller E2015 and the head control unit E2018. ) Is shared and managed by both blocks.
[0087]
Reference numeral E2018 denotes a head control unit which controls the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001 to interface with the recording head cartridge H1000 or the scanner via a head control signal, and to output a head drive timing signal from the encoder signal processing unit E2019. Based on E2049, a data development timing signal E2050 is output to the print data development DMA controller.
[0088]
Further, at the time of printing, in accordance with the head drive timing signal E2049, the developed print data (RDHD) E2048 is read from the column buffer, and the data is output to the print head cartridge H1000 as a head control signal E1021.
[0089]
In the scanner reading mode, the fetched data (WDHD) E2053 input as the head control signal E1021 is DMA-transferred to the scanner fetch buffer E2024 on the DRAM E2005. Reference numeral E2025 denotes a scanner data processing DMA controller which reads the capture buffer read data (RDAV) E2054 stored in the scanner capture buffer E2024 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001, and performs processing such as averaging. The written data (WDAV) E2055 is written to the scanner data buffer E2026 on the DRAM E2005.
[0090]
Reference numeral E2027 denotes a scanner data compression DMA controller which reads out the processed data (RDYC) E2056 on the scanner data buffer E2026 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to perform data compression, and compresses the compressed data (WDYC) E2057. Is written to the transmission buffer E2028 and transferred.
[0091]
E2019 denotes an encoder signal processing unit which receives an encoder signal (ENC), outputs a head drive timing signal E2049 in accordance with a mode determined by the control of the CPU E1001, and outputs the position and speed of the carriage M4001 obtained from the encoder signal E1020. The related information is stored in a register and provided to the CPU E1001. The CPU E1001 determines various parameters in controlling the CR motor E0001 based on this information. E2020 denotes a CR motor control unit which outputs a CR motor control signal E1036 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001.
[0092]
E2022 is a sensor signal processing unit which receives the detection signals E1033, E1024, E926, and E1027 output from the PG sensor E0010, the PE sensor E0007, the ASF sensor E0009, the GAP sensor E0008, and the like, and is determined by the control of the CPU E1001. In accordance with the set mode, the sensor information is transmitted to the CPU E1001, and a sensor detection signal E2052 is output to the LF / PG motor control DMA controller E2021.
[0093]
The LF / PG motor control DMA controller E2021 reads the pulse motor drive table (RDPM) E2051 from the motor control buffer E2023 on the DRAM E2005 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE E2001, and outputs the pulse motor control signal E1033. In addition to the output, a pulse motor control signal E1033 is output using the sensor detection signal as a control trigger depending on the operation mode.
[0094]
Reference numeral E2030 denotes an LED control unit which outputs an LED drive signal E1038 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. Reference numeral E2029 denotes a port control unit which outputs a head power ON signal E1022, a motor power ON signal E1023, and a power control signal E1024 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001.
[0095]
5. Printer operation
Next, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0096]
When the apparatus main body 1000 is connected to the AC power supply, first, in step S1, first initialization processing of the apparatus is performed. In this initialization process, a check of the electric circuit system such as a check of the ROM and RAM of the present apparatus is performed to confirm whether the present apparatus can be normally operated electrically.
[0097]
Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the power key E0018 provided on the upper case M1002 of the apparatus main body M1000 has been turned on. If the power key E0018 has been pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S3. Here, a second initialization process is performed.
[0098]
In the second initialization processing, various drive mechanisms and the recording head of the apparatus are checked. That is, when the various motors are initialized and the head information is read, it is confirmed whether the apparatus can operate normally.
[0099]
Next, in step S4, an event is waited. That is, the apparatus monitors command events from the external I / F, panel key events due to user operations, internal control events, and the like, and executes a process corresponding to the event when these events occur. For example, when a print command event from the external I / F is received in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, and when a power key event by a user operation occurs in the same step, the process proceeds to step S10. If another event occurs in the same step, the process proceeds to step S11. Here, in step S5, a print command from the external I / F is analyzed to determine the designated paper type, paper size, print quality, paper feed method, and the like, and data representing the determination result is stored in the apparatus. The result is stored in the RAM E2005, and the process proceeds to step S6.
[0100]
Next, in step S6, sheet feeding is started by the sheet feeding method designated in step S5, the sheet is fed to a recording start position, and the process proceeds to step S7.
[0101]
In step S7, a recording operation is performed. In this printing operation, print data sent from the external I / F is temporarily stored in a print buffer, and then the CR motor E0001 is driven to start moving the carriage M4001 in the main scanning direction. The stored print data is supplied to the print head H1001 to print one row. When the printing operation of the printing data for one line is completed, the LF motor E0002 is driven to rotate the LF roller M3001 to feed the paper (print medium) in the sub-scanning direction. Thereafter, the above operation is repeatedly performed, and when the recording of the recording data for one page from the external I / F is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0102]
In step S8, the LF motor E0002 and the paper discharge roller M2003 are driven, and the paper feed is repeated until it is determined that the paper has been completely fed out of the apparatus. When the paper feed is completed, the paper is placed on the paper discharge tray M1004a. The sheet is completely discharged.
[0103]
In the next step S9, it is determined whether or not the recording operation of all pages to be recorded has been completed, and if there are pages to be recorded remaining, the process returns to step S5. The operation up to is repeated. Then, when the recording operation of all pages to be recorded is completed, the recording operation ends, and then the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.
[0104]
On the other hand, in step S10, a printer termination process is performed, and the operation of this apparatus is stopped. That is, in order to turn off the power of various motors and heads, the state is shifted to a state where the power can be turned off, then the power is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.
[0105]
In step S11, other event processing other than the above is performed. For example, a process corresponding to a recovery command from various panel keys or an external I / F of the apparatus or a recovery event generated internally is performed. After the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S4 and waits for the next event.
[0106]
6. Head configuration
Here, the configuration and arrangement of the ejection port group of the head H1001 used in the present embodiment will be described.
[0107]
FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the head H1001 for realizing high-density recording used in the present embodiment. In this example, 128 ejection openings are arranged at a pitch of 600 dpi (dots / inch) (approximately 42 μm pitch) per one ejection opening array along the main scanning direction (carriage scanning direction). The ejection port rows are provided two rows per one color ink, and are shifted from each other by about 21 μm in the sub-scanning direction (paper feed direction). The resolution of 1200 dpi is achieved by using a total of 256 ejection ports per color ink. Has been realized. One of the two ejection port arrays per one color ink is an odd-numbered nozzle row Lo in which odd-numbered ejection ports are lined up, and the other is an even-numbered nozzle row Le in which even-numbered ejection ports are arranged. Further, in the example shown in the figure, such ejection port arrays have six colors (cyan (C), light cyan (LC), black (Bk), yellow (Y), light magenta (LM), and magenta (M)). An integrated head is arranged so as to be arranged in the main scanning direction in correspondence with the ink, and to perform printing at 1200 dpi with a total of 12 ejection port arrays for 6 color inks. However, in manufacturing, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two parallel colors are simultaneously formed as one chip, and then three chips are bonded in parallel.
[0108]
Various processes for achieving the intended object of the present invention using the recording apparatus and the head having the above-described configuration will be described below. Acquisition processing of registration adjustment values and the like, which will be described later, can be positioned as the second initialization processing (step S3) or other event processing (step S11) in the procedure of FIG. The adjusted values and the like can be reflected when performing a recording operation (step S7) and the like.
[0109]
7. Multi-pass print
First, in the present embodiment, the purpose is mainly to enable photographic images to be recorded with high definition. Therefore, recording is usually performed by a multi-pass printing method. Here, the multi-pass printing will be briefly described.
[0110]
Unlike a monochrome printer that records only characters such as characters, numbers, and symbols, recording a color image image requires various elements such as color development, gradation, and uniformity of recording pixels. . In particular, with regard to uniformity, a large number of nozzles (in this specification, unless otherwise specified, collectively refer to a discharge port or a liquid path communicating therewith and an element that generates energy used for ink discharge). Are greatly affected by slight variations in nozzle units that occur during the manufacturing process of a multi-nozzle head in which multiple nozzles are integrated. In other words, slight variations in the nozzle unit that occur during the manufacturing process of the multi-nozzle head affect the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle and the direction of the ink ejecting direction during the printing operation, and as a result, the density unevenness of the printed image Decreases image quality.
[0111]
A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 3001 denotes a multi-nozzle head, and here, it is assumed that eight nozzles 3002 are provided to simplify the description. Reference numeral 3003 denotes an ink droplet ejected from the nozzle 3002. Ideally, as shown in FIG. 10A, ink of the same ejection amount is ejected from each nozzle 3002 in the same direction. If such ideal ejection is performed, as shown in FIG. 10B, ink droplets 3003 of uniform size land on the print medium to form ink dots of uniform size. As shown in FIG. 10C, a uniform distribution without density unevenness as a whole is obtained as the density distribution in the nozzle arrangement direction.
[0112]
However, in practice, there is variation among the nozzles, and if printing is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 10 without taking such variations into account, density unevenness or the like will occur. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the size and the direction of the ink drop 3003 ejected from each nozzle 3002 vary, ink dots are formed on the print medium as shown in FIG. 11B. A blank portion (a portion where no dot is formed) along the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow X is periodically formed, or conversely, dots overlap more than necessary. In the case of this figure, a white streak as shown in the center portion is generated. Therefore, the density distribution in the direction in which the nozzles are arranged becomes a distribution as shown in FIG. 11C, and as a result, such a phenomenon is sensed as uneven density when viewed normally by human eyes.
[0113]
The following method has been devised as a countermeasure for such concentration unevenness. The method will be described with reference to FIG.
[0114]
Here, the head 3001 is scanned three times as shown in FIG. 12A in order to complete the recording in the same recording area as in FIGS. 10 and 11. However, printing is completed in two scans (recording scan (pass)) for a recording area in units of four pixels, which is half of eight pixels in the vertical direction in the figure. In this case, the eight nozzles of the head 3001 are divided into groups of four nozzles in the upper half and four nozzles in the lower half in the figure, and the dots on one raster are one nozzle in the upper half and one in the lower half. It is formed in two scans by one nozzle. Therefore, the dots formed by one nozzle in one scan are obtained by thinning the image data by about half according to a predetermined image data arrangement. Then, at the time of the second scan, dots corresponding to the remaining half of the image data are embedded to complete printing of a recording area in units of four pixels. Such a printing method is hereinafter referred to as a multi-pass printing method.
[0115]
By adopting such a multi-pass printing method, even if the same print head as that used in FIG. 11 is used, the influence on the print image due to the variation unique to each nozzle is reduced by half, and the printed image is As shown in FIG. 12 (b), white stripes and black stripes as shown in FIG. 11 (b) become less noticeable. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12C, the density unevenness is considerably reduced as compared with the case of FIG. 11C.
[0116]
The configuration in which an image is completed by two printing scans (two passes) for the same printing area has been described above. However, in multi-pass printing, the image quality improves as the number of passes increases. However, on the other hand, there is a so-called trade-off relationship that the printing time becomes longer. Therefore, in the printer of the present embodiment, in addition to the one-pass mode in which the multi-pass printing is not performed, the printing can be performed in the multi-pass mode from two passes to eight passes. Can be switched appropriately.
[0117]
8. Adjusting the dot formation position
The head H1001 used in the printer according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 9 and is capable of recording at 1200 dpi as described above. However, in this example, the resolution of the data actually input is 600 dpi at the maximum, and at the time of recording, one input data is recorded by 2 × 2 = 4 pixels. The input data has five gradations. A dot array corresponding to each gradation is determined in advance in a 2 × 2 pixel area, and at the time of recording, five gradations are expressed in the 2 × 2 pixel area. .
[0118]
An object of the present invention is to adjust the dot formation position, that is, the landing position of the ink droplet (hereinafter, also referred to as “print position adjustment” or “registration”). In the printer of this embodiment, means for adjusting the landing position of ink droplets between forward scanning and backward scanning in reciprocal printing (hereinafter, referred to as “bidirectional registration”), and is involved in printing even rasters. Adjustment of the landing position of the ink droplet by the ejection port of the even-numbered row Le (see FIG. 9) and the ejection port of the odd-numbered row Lo (see FIG. 9) involved in the recording of the odd raster (hereinafter, referred to as “even-odd registration”). Means for performing the following.
[0119]
The even-odd registration depends on the individual difference of the head and the condition of the head due to the environment, print history, and the like. On the other hand, bidirectional registration rather depends on the characteristics of the printer main body, such as the carriage encoder E0004 of the printer main body and the distance between the carriage M4001 and a member (platen) for regulating the recording surface of the print medium. There are many. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the adjustment values of the even-odd registration are stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM provided in an appropriate portion of the head H1001, and the adjustment values of the bidirectional registration are stored in an EEPROM provided in an appropriate portion of the printer main body. Are stored at the time of shipment of each printer. As a result, at least at the beginning of the initial use of the printer, the user can obtain a recorded material in a state where the print position has been adjusted.
[0120]
The EEPROM of the head H1001 can store various information unique to the head H1001 in addition to the adjustment values of the even / odd registration. The configuration and effect of the EEPROM on the recording head H1001 used in the present embodiment basically conforms to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-320732. Here, the specific contents of the stored data in the printer of the present embodiment will be described.
[0121]
FIG. 13 shows an example of data stored in the EEPROM of the head. Here, it is assumed that the following items and contents are stored in the EEPROM. That is, "head version information" for coping with drive conditions accompanying the version upgrade, "frame number" for preventing reading error of memory contents, "head serial number" for discriminating individual heads, recording “Head drive conditions” (for three chips) for selecting an appropriate drive pulse for each chip (two colors for each chip) of the head, and “a print position shift correction value during forward scanning and backward scanning” "Bidirectional registration data" (not used in this embodiment), "inter-color registration data" (for five colors), which is a recording position shift correction value for black (Bk) ink for each ink color, and for each ink color "Even-odd registration data" (for six colors), which is a printing position correction value between the even-numbered nozzle row Le and the odd-numbered nozzle row Lo, and the defective nozzles in each nozzle row Position is information "ejection failure information" (12 columns) represents the level of the discharge amount of each ink color "ejection amount information" (six colors), and a "error checking information".
[0122]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the above contents are stored twice in the same EEPROM to prevent information acquisition errors.
[0123]
When the user obtains the head H1001, mounts it on the carriage M4001 of the printer main body, and turns on the power, the main body control unit of the printer reads the contents of the EEPROM of the head H1001 and stores it in the EEPROM in the main body. make a copy. The EEPROM in the main body has at least two areas for storing adjustment values for even-odd registration and bidirectional registration, and initially stores the same contents in each area.
[0124]
The user can start the registration (hereinafter referred to as “user registration”) by himself / herself as appropriate immediately after the printer arrives or according to the frequency of use.
[0125]
FIG. 14A shows a flow of a series of processing of user registration. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically and schematically showing a system including a host device and a recording device mainly for showing a data flow in the process of the processing.
[0126]
For example, a user uses input / display means CNSL including keys, a pointing device, a display, and the like from a utility of a printer driver PD that operates on a predetermined operating system OS of a host device HOST that can be in the form of a personal computer. A registration mode is selected (step S2201). Then, paper as a print medium is set in the recording apparatus main body M1000, and printing is started (step S2202). In response to this, the printer control unit PRC sends predetermined data to the driving unit HD of the head H1001, and causes a pattern (FIG. 15) for registration to be formed on the paper (step S2203). Then, the user who visually judges this pattern inputs the adjustment value into a predetermined area of the printer setting screen on the host device HOST (step S2004). Then, the registration data is transferred to the printer control unit by a command from the printer driver PD (step S2205), and the data is stored in the EEPROM 100 in the recording apparatus main body (step S2206).
[0127]
FIG. 15 shows a pattern printed out in the user registration. The rows A to E in the figure are print patterns for even-odd registration of each ink color in the head H1001, the row A is black (Bk), the row B is cyan (C), and the row C is magenta (M). ) And D are printed with light cyan (Lc) ink, and E is printed with light magenta (Lm) ink. The yellow (Y) ink is excluded from the user registration pattern because it is difficult to visually discriminate the print pattern and the dot misalignment is not so bad compared to the background color of the paper. . However, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the nozzle group corresponding to the yellow ink is configured on the same chip as the nozzle group corresponding to the magenta ink, so that the driving conditions are similar to those of the nozzle corresponding to the magenta ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same value as the registration data for magenta is transferred to the printer body at the stage of step S2205 in FIG. Therefore, the data stored in the EEPROM 100 in step S2206 corresponds to six colors.
[0128]
In FIG. 15, numbers “+7” to “−3” on the left side indicate adjustment values for registration, and patterns corresponding to the respective adjustment values are all the same. However, printing is performed by shifting the relative ejection timing of the even-numbered nozzles and the odd-numbered nozzles according to the respective adjustment values. In the printer of this embodiment, the minimum unit of adjustment is one pixel, and the pattern is shifted by one pixel. Since the adjustment value of the even / odd registration has already been stored in the EEPROM 200 (FIG. 14B) of the head at the time of shipment from the factory, the pattern at the “0” position (default value) is the factory default value. Printed.
[0129]
With respect to the other "+7" to "+1" and "-1"to-"3", the ejection timing of the odd-numbered nozzle row is changed from the default value by +7 to -3 pixels while the ejection timing of the even-numbered nozzle row is fixed. Up to one pixel at a time. Here, the + direction is a direction in which the time difference between the ejection timings of the even-numbered nozzle row and the odd-numbered nozzle row is increased. As described above, when a convex deformation occurs on the face surface between the even-numbered nozzle row and the odd-numbered nozzle row due to swelling due to the ink, a rise in temperature, and the like, the ejection ports from both of the ejection ports corresponding thereto. The ejected ink droplets tend to open over time. Therefore, the adjustment range in the plus direction is set to be as large as 7 pixels (about 147 μm), and in the minus direction, −3 pixels (63 μm). Then, the user may select the smoothest pattern from “+7” to “−3” for each color and set the registration adjustment value of the pattern.
[0130]
All even-odd registration patterns are recorded by two-pass one-way printing (two scans in the forward direction or two scans in the backward direction). The reason why two-pass division printing is performed instead of one-pass printing is that the smoothness of the pattern is impaired due to factors other than the dot formation position deviation between the even-numbered nozzle row and the odd-numbered nozzle row, that is, factors such as variations in the characteristics of the individual nozzles. This is to prevent it. The reason why the unidirectional printing is performed is to prevent the influence of the dot formation position shift between the bidirectional printings from being simultaneously applied.
[0131]
The F, G, and H columns in FIG. 15 are patterns for bidirectional registration. Column F corresponds to black (Bk), column G corresponds to cyan (C), and column H corresponds to magenta (M) ink. Although a large number of proposals and implementations have been made for bidirectional registration as described above, the pattern of the F, G, and H columns in the present embodiment conforms to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-81190. This is because it is easier to determine visually than a ruled line pattern, which is the mainstream, and a deviation within one pixel can be determined. The numbers “+5” to “−5” appended to the left indicate adjustment values for bidirectional registration. In the bidirectional registration pattern, similarly to the even-odd registration, a pattern of a “0” value (default value) is recorded with a value set when shipped from the factory. The respective patterns corresponding to “+5” to “−5” are recorded by shifting the ejection timing at the time of backward printing (at the time of backward scanning) by one pixel while the ejection timing at the time of forward printing (at the time of forward scanning) is fixed. are doing. All patterns for bidirectional registration are recorded by 4-pass bidirectional printing. The reason why the four-pass division printing is used is to prevent the smoothness of the pattern from being impaired by factors such as nozzle variations.
[0132]
FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams for illustrating a bidirectional registration pattern on an enlarged scale and explaining a recording method thereof. In the series of adjustments of the present embodiment, even-odd registration is also performed at the same time. Therefore, even-odd registration is performed on the pattern for bidirectional registration so that the influence of the dot formation position shift between the even-numbered nozzle row and the odd-numbered nozzle row does not appear. There is data of only the even-numbered raster corresponding to the nozzle row. Each even raster is printed every other dot, which is the critical pixel pitch (distance) that does not cause overlap with adjacent dots. With this setting, the print image can be made to react sensitively to a slight dot formation position shift.
[0133]
In the present embodiment, an image is completed by four printing scans for one raster. At this time, the first pass and the third pass are printed by forward scanning, the second pass and the fourth pass are printed by backward scanning. As shown in FIG. 16A, a forward pass print area (forward scan print area) and a backward pass print area (backward scan print area) are alternately arranged by a width of 16 pixels, and the former area includes two passes of one pass and three passes. One pass is divided and printed, and the latter area is divided and printed by two passes of two passes and four passes.
[0134]
If the dot formation position is displaced in both the forward scan and the backward scan, as shown in FIG. 16B, black or white stripes occur at the boundary between the forward print area and the backward print area. I do. Actually, since the width of each recording area is about 336 μm, it is visually confirmed that white stripes in the vertical direction are irregularly arranged in the horizontal direction. The user can select a uniform pattern having the least white streaks and set an adjustment value for the registration of the pattern.
[0135]
In the head of this example, as shown in FIG. 9, since the ejection ports corresponding to the three color inks of black, cyan, and magenta (Bk / C / M) are arranged on separate chips, bidirectional printing is performed according to those ink colors. By printing the registration pattern (F, G, H rows), when the bonding error of each of the three chips and the ink ejection performance of each chip are different, the drive timing according to them can be corrected. it can. For example, when the ejection direction is shifted only in the scanning direction ahead of the black / yellow ink chip, the bidirectional drive timing of this chip needs to be different from that of the other chips.
[0136]
By the way, in the inkjet head manufacturing process, there is little variation in the size of the nozzle and the direction of the discharge port within the same chip. In addition, since the temperature during printing is almost uniformly distributed within the same chip, it can be said that there is almost no temperature distribution as compared with the temperature difference between adjacent chips. Therefore, in a head in which nozzle rows corresponding to a plurality of ink colors are arranged on one chip as in this example, bidirectional registration is performed using a nozzle row of one representative color for each chip. As a result, sufficient drive timing correction was achieved.
[0137]
Ideally, bidirectional registration should be performed for nozzle rows corresponding to all ink colors. However, general users are discouraged from consuming a large amount of ink in order to print a pattern only for setting the printer, such as a pattern for registration. Therefore, it is better to reduce the amount of ink used for registration. In the case of a three-chip head as in this example, one color is used for each chip, and a total of three colors of ink are used. It is preferable to print a registration pattern using a typical nozzle row.
[0138]
As described above, the user inputs the adjustment value corresponding to the selected pattern via the printer driver of the host device. The input value is stored in the EEPROM 100 in the main body.
[0139]
FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically and simply showing a registration adjustment value writing area in the main body EEPROM 100. The registration adjustment values stored at the time of shipment of the printer main body and the data read from the EEPROM 200 when the head H1001 is mounted are always recorded in the area A. When the user registration is performed, the value of the area A is always set to the default (0) and the pattern (FIG. 15) is output. On the other hand, the adjustment value input by the user from the printer driver is stored in area B. In the second and subsequent user registrations, the data in the area B is always overwritten, and the value stored in the area A is not rewritten. The data in the area B is only updated at the time of head replacement or at the time of service. During normal printing, an adjustment value obtained by adding the value of the B area to the value of the A area is used.
[0140]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the case where the registration unit is one pixel has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, adjustment in units of half a pixel or more can be performed by using the above-described adjustment pattern. The more accurate the adjustment value, the higher the quality of the print can be expected. In this case, the recording timing may be linked with the timing of another use possessed by the printer main body, such as the timing set for driving the head into blocks.
[0141]
It is difficult for the user to judge the timing of registration after the printer arrives. If possible, it is preferable that the correction can be made before the image quality is deteriorated due to the repetition of printing. In the present embodiment, the current adjustment can be confirmed by the head check pattern of the printer driver utility, so that the user can recognize the necessity of registration before the image is deteriorated.
[0142]
FIG. 18 shows an example of the head check pattern. “Pattern 1” is printed in one pass using all nozzles of all six colors. From the print result, it can be confirmed whether or not all the nozzles are discharging normally. “Pattern 2” prints the above-described pattern for even / odd registration in one direction of two passes using the adjustment value of the currently set user registration. From the print result, it can be determined whether or not the currently set even-odd registration adjustment value is appropriate. “Pattern 3” prints the above-described pattern for bidirectional registration in FIG. 16 in four-pass bidirectional using the currently set user registration adjustment value. From the print result, it can be determined whether or not the currently set bidirectional registration adjustment value is appropriate.
[0143]
With this check pattern, the output can be performed in a shorter time than the entire pattern of FIG. 15 and the operation is simpler, so that the user can frequently check the status of the head H1001.
[0144]
In the above-described embodiment, only yellow (Y) is excluded because it is difficult to determine the pattern, and the actual pattern output is five colors of Bk, C, M, LC, and LM. However, depending on the dye concentrations of LC and LM, it may be difficult to distinguish these ink colors. In this case, actual user registration is performed only for BK, C, and M, and LC and LM may use the same adjustment values as C and M on the same chip as those for Y. That is, the correction value of C for LC and the correction value of L for LM may be input from the driver to the main body at the stage of step S2205 in FIG.
[0145]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the registration of the even-numbered nozzles and the odd-numbered nozzles and the bidirectional registration are performed by using the high-resolution recording head of the two-row configuration for each ink color shown in FIG. When the user appropriately starts the operation, highly accurate adjustment can be performed. As a result of providing such an adjusting mechanism, it is possible to constantly maintain high-quality image printing even when the printer arrives.
[0146]
FIG. 21 shows an example of a registration adjustment value determination processing procedure based on information on the printer main body side and the recording head side. This processing can be positioned, for example, as a part of the processing of step S3 in the processing procedure of FIG. 8, and can be started when the recording head mounted on the carriage M4001 is newly mounted. it can. That is, for example, when the user mounts the recording head on the carriage M4001 of the printer main body and turns on the power, the CPU (printer control unit PRC) of the printer main body reads the data stored in the EEPROM 200 on the recording head side (step S3001). With reference to the table developed in the EEPROM 100 of the main body (step S3003), an appropriate registration adjustment value can be obtained (step S3005).
[0147]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for counting the number of dots formed for each ink color as a procedure for counting the number of recording dots performed by the printer.
[0148]
First, the recording data is received from the I / F (step S101), and is stored in the reception buffer (step S102), and then the command is analyzed and the data is developed (steps S103, S104). Then, based on the developed data, the number of formed dots corresponding to each ink color is counted (step S105), and the count value is stored in the nonvolatile memory (step S106).
[0149]
In the present embodiment, the printer counts the number of dots formed for each ink color in this way, and when the difference between them is large, prompts the user to perform the same registration as in the above-described embodiment. And outputs a registration pattern in response to the response. For example, a message panel as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on a display of a personal computer, or an LED mounted on the printer body blinks to prompt the user to perform registration.
[0150]
In addition, when printing a registration pattern, by printing a bidirectional registration pattern as shown in FIG. 15 for each predetermined nozzle group, it is possible to adjust the landing position deviation for each nozzle group. Become.
[0151]
For example, the nozzle groups may be grouped according to the color of the ink ejected from the nozzles on the same chip of the recording head. In the case of the recording head in FIG. Lc ink ejection nozzles are grouped, Bk ink ejection nozzles and Y ink ejection nozzles are grouped, and Lm ink ejection nozzles and M ink ejection nozzles are grouped. Can be. By printing the bidirectional registration pattern for each of the nozzle groups thus grouped, it is possible to adjust the shift of the landing position of the ink droplet due to the difference in the frequency of use and the physical properties of the ink for each nozzle group. it can. For example, when printing 100 identical photographic images on a New Year's card, etc., it is unlikely that the recorded data will be completely uniform for each ink color. And black ink is hardly used. Assuming that the difference in use is 1.5 times at the maximum (actually, there may be more), the number of dots formed by the yellow ink is 10.0 × 10 ⁶ The number of dots formed with black ink is 6.7 × 10 ⁶ It becomes a dot. When the number of dots formed and the ejection speed of ink droplets have a relationship as shown in FIG. 24, it is considered that the difference between the ejection speeds of yellow ink and black ink is about 1.6 [m / s]. Can be In this case, the bidirectional drive timing needs to be shifted by 1 to 2 pixels in 1200 dpi units. In the present embodiment, the number of dots to be formed is determined by printing a pattern for bidirectional registration as shown in FIG. It is possible to adjust the deviation between the landing positions of the Bk ink and the Y ink due to a large difference between the landing positions.
[0152]
In addition, by adjusting the drive timing for each nozzle that ejects a different ink, by taking into account the difference in the deterioration of the heater portion according to the usage status of the nozzles and the difference in the ink ejection characteristics due to the difference in the physical properties of the ink, It is possible to stabilize the coloring (color difference) on the print medium by eliminating the displacement of the landing position for each ink color.
[0153]
In addition, the nozzle group is divided into nozzles for each chip of the print head, grouped for each nozzle that discharges ink of the same color, and nozzles that discharge ink of the same color for each nozzle row (odd nozzle row and even numbered nozzle row). The nozzles may be grouped into groups (nozzle rows), or may be grouped into nozzles having the same number of dots formed (nozzles having the same degree of deterioration). For example, a nozzle for ejecting Bk ink, a nozzle for ejecting C ink, and a nozzle for ejecting M ink in each of the three chips of the print head are grouped into a nozzle group, and these nozzles are used as shown in FIG. When a pattern for bidirectional registration is printed, it is also possible to adjust the displacement of the landing position of the ink droplet due to a large difference in the number of formed dots for each chip of the recording head.
[0154]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of formed dots is counted and managed, and a pattern for bidirectional registration for adjusting a print position between nozzle groups is printed when nozzles are used in a biased manner. I do. Further, when a change in the ink ejection characteristics of the nozzles is predicted due to a change in the environmental temperature or a change in the temperature of the print head, the user is prompted to perform registration, and the print position between predetermined nozzle groups is printed. By printing a pattern for bidirectional registration for adjusting image quality, it is possible to avoid a decrease in print quality. Note that the ink ejection speed as the ink ejection characteristics differs depending on the state of the heater unit (electrothermal converter), ink, nozzles, and the like.
[0155]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a borderless printing method for performing printing using the entire surface of a print medium as a print surface. In general borderless printing, the number of nozzles used in the recording head H1001 is limited when printing is performed on the front end and the rear end of the paper (print medium) in the transport direction. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a case where printing is performed at the rear end of the sheet in the transport direction. The recording head H10001 in FIG. 23 is shown as moving relatively to the opposite side in the sheet conveyance direction Y.
[0156]
The printing method of this example is a four-pass printing method in which the same print area is printed by being divided into four scans. When the print area approaches the rear end of the sheet in the transport direction, the number of nozzles used by the print head H1001 is used. Is limited to 1/4 of the number of nozzles in the zone a from all the nozzles in the zone a until then. That is, the four-pass printing method using all the nozzles in zone a of the print head H1001 is switched to the four-pass printing method using nozzles in ｂ of the b zone. When printing is performed on the front end of the sheet in the transport direction, a 4-pass printing method using 1/4 nozzles of the b zone of the print head H1001 is used, and then a 4-pass printing method using all nozzles of the a zone. It will be switched to the system.
[0157]
As described above, when the use nozzle of the recording head H1001 is changed by performing the borderless printing, a difference occurs in the frequency of use of the nozzles in the nozzle row, and as a result, similar to the case of FIG. 24 described above. A difference occurs in the ink ejection amount.
[0158]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in step S105 of FIG. 25 described above, the number of dots formed by the nozzle group in zone a and the number of dots formed by the nozzle group in zone b are counted, and the difference between the count values is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Is displayed, the user is prompted to perform bidirectional registration by the same method as in FIG. 26 described above. At this time, as F, G, and H in FIG. 15, a pattern for bidirectional registration using a nozzle in the a zone (a conventional pattern for bidirectional registration) and a nozzle in the b zone are used. By printing the bidirectional registration pattern thus obtained, bidirectional registration can be performed in each of the a zone and the b zone. As a result, it is possible to adjust the displacement of the landing position of the ink droplet at the time of forward scanning due to the difference in the frequency of use of the nozzles, thereby preventing the occurrence of streaks and density unevenness on the printed image.
[0159]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, an embodiment for performing a bidirectional registration process in response to a change in the temperature of the recording head will be described.
[0160]
The registration adjustment value also differs depending on the ink ejection speed and the distance from the ejection port to the surface of the print medium (also referred to as “paper interval”). Further, the ink ejection speed varies not only with variations in the characteristics of the individual print heads, but also in fact, as shown in FIG. 22, due to the temperature rise of the print heads when printing operations are continuously performed. That has been confirmed.
[0161]
In FIG. 22, the horizontal axis represents the temperature of the recording head (° C.), and the vertical axis represents the ink ejection speed (m / sec) for each temperature. As a result of experiments conducted by the present inventors on a plurality of recording heads, it was confirmed that the recording head gradually heated by printing several pages of the print medium continuously. For example, when an A4 size print medium is used, in an image having a relatively high duty (an image having a large number of ejections), the temperature of the print head rises to about 45 ° C. by continuous printing of about 4 to 5 print media. . In such a case, as shown in FIG. 22, the ink ejection speed changes in accordance with the temperature of the recording head. For example, a recording head having a discharge speed of 13 m / s at normal temperature (25 ° C.) has a discharge speed of 15 m / s when it is heated to 45 ° C. This change in the ejection speed corresponds to, for example, a change of the registration adjustment value for one or two pixels. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, even if the memory is provided in each of the recording head and the printer main body, even if image quality at the time of initial use after arrival can be guaranteed, continuous printing on four to five print media can be performed. , The image quality may be degraded.
[0162]
In the present embodiment, when the detected temperature of the temperature detecting mechanism disposed in the printer main body and the recording head exceeds a predetermined range, the user is registered on the display screen of the personal computer as shown in FIG. 26 described above. Urge you. For example, when the temperature in the vicinity of the recording head deviates from the range of 20 ° C. to 35 ° C., or when the temperature of the electric board of the printer deviates from the range of 10 ° C. to 25 ° C., registration to the user is performed. Prompt. Then, by printing a pattern for bidirectional registration as shown in FIG. 15 as a pattern for registration, it is possible to adjust the displacement of the landing position of the ink droplet at the time of forward scanning due to the temperature change of the recording head. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of streaks and uneven density on a printed image.
[0163]
If the fluctuations in the ink ejection speed and the ejection direction corresponding to the temperature of the recording head and the environment are known in advance, the correction value (registration adjustment value) of the ink ejection timing corresponding to those temperatures is used. By storing the data in a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) or the like, and automatically controlling the ink ejection timing based on the ejection timing in the nonvolatile memory corresponding to the detected recording head or environmental temperature, It is always possible to print without any loss of image quality. For example, in order to refer to the registration adjustment value table corresponding to the printhead temperature, a table serving as a guide is stored in the memory of the printer main body, and the printhead is started before printing each page of the print medium. The registration adjustment value for each page can be automatically set using the table corresponding to the temperature as a guideline.
[0164]
(Other embodiments)
The monitor screen of the printer is displayed on the display of the personal computer, and when the bidirectional registration would be displaced due to a difference in the frequency of use of the nozzles or a temperature change as described above, the head check pattern was displayed. Alternatively, a message for confirming the registration pattern may be displayed.
[0165]
(Other)
One form of the head in which the present invention is effectively used is to cause the ink to generate film boiling using thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer, and to discharge the ink from the discharge port using the foaming energy of the bubbles. It is a form.
[0166]
In the above-described embodiment, the printer driver PD of the host computer HOST supplies the created image data to the printing apparatus. However, the data of the registration pattern as shown in FIG. It may be provided on the side or supplied from a host device.
[0167]
A software or a printer driver program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a computer in a machine or a system to which various devices including a printing apparatus are connected, and the program code stored in the computer of the machine or the system. A print system that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments by operating various devices according to the present invention is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0168]
In this case, the program code itself realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer through communication or a storage medium are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0169]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.
[0170]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It also includes a case where the functions of the present embodiment are realized by performing a part or all of the processing.
[0171]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU of the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the present embodiment.
[0172]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the print position adjustment pattern is printed by a plurality of print element groups in the print head, and based on the print position adjustment value determined from the print result, the print head performs forward scan and backward scan. By adjusting the print position between and when printing a high-quality image such as a photographic image using a print head equipped with a large number of print elements, the shift of the print position is adjusted with high accuracy, Deterioration of image quality can be prevented.
[0173]
When the print element has an ejection port capable of ejecting ink, the drive timing (ink ejection timing) is adjusted for each ejection port group in which the dot landing position such as the ink ejection speed has shifted. By doing so, deterioration of image quality can be prevented. Further, when ejection ports are arranged in a plurality of chips constituting a print head, the ejection timing of ink for each chip can be adjusted. When the ejection openings are arranged in a plurality of rows in each chip, a print position adjustment pattern may be printed using a typical row of ejection openings in each chip.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer in FIG. 1 with an exterior member removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head cartridge used in the printer of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head cartridge of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an electric circuit in the printer of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a main PCB in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the ASIC in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a nozzle arrangement of a print head used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams of a state in which inkjet recording is ideally performed.
FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a state of occurrence of density unevenness that can occur in ink jet recording.
12A to 12C are explanatory diagrams of the principle of multi-pass printing for preventing the occurrence of density unevenness in FIG.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of data stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in a print head used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14A is a flowchart for explaining a series of user registration processes, and FIG. 14B is composed of a host device and a recording device shown for explaining a data flow in the process of the user registration. It is a schematic diagram of a system.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration pattern printed in the process of the user registration process of FIG.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a pattern for bidirectional registration in the pattern of FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 7B is an explanatory view of a state where both ink dots are printed with a shift.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a registration adjustment value recording area in an EEPROM provided in the printer main body in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a head check pattern for determining whether registration is necessary in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a simplified perspective view showing a serial type color printer.
20A is a diagram showing a nozzle arrangement of a recording head for realizing high resolution, and FIG. 20B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a registration adjustment value determination process based on information on a printer main body and a printhead in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a change in the ejection speed due to a change in the temperature of the print head.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a borderless printing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the number of heats of the recording head and the ink ejection speed.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of counting recording dots performed by firmware of a printer main body according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a display example of a message for urging a user to perform print position adjustment in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
M1000 device body
M4001 carriage
E0001 Carriage motor
E0002 LF motor
E0003 PG motor
E0013 Carriage substrate
E0014 Main board
E1001 CPU
H1000 print head cartridge
H1001 Recording head
H1900 ink tank
100 body EEPROM
200 head EEPROM
HOST host device

Claims (22)

A print position adjusting method for adjusting a print position between a forward scan and a backward scan of a print head in which a plurality of print elements are arranged,
Dividing the plurality of print elements into a plurality of print element groups,
For at least two of the plurality of print element groups, a print position adjustment pattern is printed by shifting the drive timing of the print element between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head,
In order to adjust a print position between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head, an adjustment value of a print position determined from the printed print position adjustment pattern is input. Print position adjustment method. The print head includes a plurality of chips in which the plurality of print elements are arranged,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print element groups are grouped according to the chips. The printhead deploys the plurality of print elements on a plurality of rows;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print element groups are grouped according to the columns. The print position adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print element groups are grouped according to the use frequency of the print elements. The print position adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print element groups are grouped according to a print color of the print element. The print head includes a plurality of chips in which the plurality of print elements are arranged, and arranges the plurality of print elements on a plurality of rows,
The print of claim 1, wherein the plurality of print element groups are grouped by at least one of the chip, the row, the frequency of use of the print elements, or a color printed by the print elements. Position adjustment method. 7. The drive timing of the print element between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head is adjusted based on the adjustment value of the print position, according to claim 1. Print position adjustment method. 8. The print position adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the print head is a head capable of discharging ink, and the print element has a discharge port for discharging ink. 9. The print position adjustment pattern according to claim 8, wherein an adjustment value for adjusting a print position shift caused by at least one of the ink ejection speed and the ink ejection direction can be determined. Print position adjustment method. Estimating a change in ink ejection performance from the ejection openings in the plurality of print elements,
The print position adjusting method according to claim 8, wherein the print element groups are divided into groups according to a predicted degree of change in ink ejection performance from the ejection ports. The degree of a change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection port is predicted based on at least one of a frequency of use of the print element, a physical property of the ejected ink, or a temperature near the ejection port. Item 11. The print position adjusting method according to any one of Items 8 to 10. The print position adjusting method according to claim 11, wherein the use frequency of the print element is obtained by counting the number of dots formed based on image data. 13. The print position adjusting method according to claim 8, wherein when the degree of change in the ink discharge performance from the discharge port becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the user is prompted to perform a print position adjusting operation. Using a print head in which a plurality of print elements are arranged, in a printing apparatus capable of printing by forward scan and backward scan of the print head,
The plurality of print elements are divided into a plurality of print element groups, and at least two of the plurality of print element groups are shifted in drive timing of the print elements between forward scan and backward scan of the print head. Means for printing a pattern for print position adjustment,
Means for inputting a print position adjustment value determined from the printed print position adjustment pattern to adjust the print position between the forward scan and the backward scan of the print head;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the print head is a head that can discharge ink, and the print element has a discharge port for discharging ink. 16. The print position adjustment pattern according to claim 15, wherein an adjustment value for adjusting a print position shift caused by at least one of the ink ejection speed and the ink ejection direction can be determined. Printing equipment. Prediction means for predicting a change in ink ejection performance from the ejection ports in the plurality of print elements,
Means for grouping the print element groups according to the predicted degree of change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection ports,
The printing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: Prediction means for predicting a change in ink ejection performance from the ejection ports in the plurality of print elements,
Means for prompting the execution of print position adjustment work when the predicted degree of change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection ports is equal to or greater than a predetermined value,
The printing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: The predicting unit predicts a degree of a change in the ejection performance of the ink from the ejection port based on at least one of a frequency of use of the print element, a physical property of the ejected ink, or a temperature near the ejection port. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: 19. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the prediction unit obtains the use frequency of the print element by counting the number of dots formed based on image data. A control program for causing a computer to execute the print position adjusting method according to claim 1. A storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the print position adjusting method according to claim 1.

Images