JP2006281779A - Recording apparatus, data processing method for recording apparatus, control method for recording apparatus, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Recording data generation processing in a host computer is speeded up.
A host device transmits, as setting data, data including a registration adjustment value corresponding to a relative distance in the scanning direction between the nozzle rows, and the printing apparatus stores the printing data of each nozzle row in the scanning direction. The recording buffer 4 is stored in association with the recording position in the recording buffering structure control circuit 8. The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 performs recording for each nozzle array based on the registration adjustment value stored in the register and the information on the reading order of the recording data. Control is performed so that the data storage position is adjusted and stored in the recording buffer 4.
[Selection] Figure 5A

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a data processing method for the recording apparatus, a control method for the recording apparatus, a program, and a storage medium, and more specifically, a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning in a direction that intersects the element arrangement direction, a data processing method for the recording apparatus, a control method for the recording apparatus, a program, and a storage medium.

  For example, as information output devices in word processors, personal computers, facsimiles, and the like, printers that record desired information such as characters and images on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper or film are widely used.

  Various types of recording methods are known for printers, but inkjet methods have recently been used for reasons such as non-contact recording on recording media such as paper, easy colorization, and high quietness. In particular, as a configuration, recording is performed while reciprocally scanning a carriage equipped with a recording head for ejecting ink according to desired recording information in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of a recording medium such as paper. In general, the serial recording method is widely used because it is inexpensive and easy to downsize.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to perform recording by scanning a carriage mounted with a recording head on a recording medium, a recording area in the scanning direction of the recording head is divided into a plurality of areas, and recording data for each divided area is stored. There is known a recording apparatus (printing apparatus) having

  In such a recording apparatus, when recording data in divided area units is stored in the buffer, the result of comparing the information for switching the storage area of the recording data for each color, the remaining buffer capacity that can be stored, and the write address update amount Based on the above, there is provided a write control unit for controlling the write address information of the recording data for each area for each color (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a read control unit that controls the read address information for reading the record data stored in the buffer for each color, and the record data in units of areas divided according to the record data read based on the read address information Recording data generation means for generating.

In the conventional recording apparatus configured as described above, the read address of the recording buffer is referred to when writing to the recording buffer is controlled. However, this read address is not updated every time data is read, and one block of data is stored. It is updated after reading all (Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-305896 A JP 2003-305895 A

  In general, image conversion and registration adjustment are performed on the recording apparatus side for the purpose of speeding up recording data generation processing in a host computer. Further, for the purpose of cost reduction, the capacity of the recording buffer is reduced and the capacity of the RAM or the like is reduced.

  In such a recording apparatus, when recording data is written to the recording buffer, a waiting time (writing waiting time) until all the data of one block is read becomes relatively long.

  In recent years, the resolution of the recording apparatus has improved, and the amount of recording data transferred from the host computer to the recording apparatus has also increased. For this reason, when the amount of recording data increases and the write waiting time in the recording buffer further increases, the effective speed from when the recording is instructed until the recording is executed by the recording apparatus is reduced.

  For the reasons described above, it is an issue to reduce the time required to transfer the recording data from the host computer (printer driver) to the recording apparatus and the time from when the recording is instructed until the recording is executed. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and even when the capacity of the recording buffer is small, recording data is efficiently written in the recording apparatus, and recording is performed after instructing recording. The purpose is to shorten the time until it is done.

A recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object performs recording by causing a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged to scan in a direction intersecting the direction of the arrangement. A device,
A reception buffer that stores setting data including registration information transmitted from the connected host device and corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element arrays, and recording data of each recording element array;
A recording buffer for storing recording data of each recording element array in association with a recording position in the scanning direction;
Based on the registration information and information on the read position of the recording data of each recording element array from the recording buffer, the storage position of the recording data of each recording element array is adjusted and stored in the recording buffer. And a writing control means.

  In this way, registration adjustment processing related to the relative distance between the recording element arrays, which is conventionally performed in the host device, is executed on the recording apparatus side, and the recording data of each recording element array is read from the recording buffer. Based on the position information, recording data can be efficiently stored (written) in the recording buffer.

  Therefore, even when the capacity of the recording buffer is small, it is possible to efficiently write recording data in the recording apparatus, and to shorten the time from when recording is instructed until recording is executed.

  When the recording buffer is configured to divide the recording area in the scanning direction into a plurality of blocks and store the recording data for each block, the writing control means is configured so that each recording element corresponds to the registration information. A determination unit configured to change the storage start position in the record data block of the column and determine whether the record data transmitted from the host device corresponding to the block can be stored based on the read position information; It is good.

  The read position information may include a read address for each print element array, information indicating the presence / absence of read data, and information indicating the presence / absence of print data.

  When the capacity of the recording buffer is smaller than the amount of data that can be recorded by the previous recording head in one scan, the write control unit stores the recording data at the head address next to the last address of the recording buffer, The recording buffer should be used cyclically.

  The write controller preferably updates the information on the read position each time the record data is read from the record buffer.

  The recording apparatus may be configured to perform recording with different colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.) depending on each recording element array.

  Each recording element is preferably configured to perform recording by ejecting ink, and more preferably, each recording element generates thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to eject ink using thermal energy. It is the structure provided with the thermal energy conversion body for doing.

According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a data processing method for a recording apparatus, wherein a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged is arranged in a direction crossing the direction of the arrangement. Recording is performed by scanning, a reception buffer that is transmitted from the connected host device and stores setting data and recording data of each recording element array, and the recording data of each recording element array is associated with the recording position in the scanning direction. A recording buffer comprising: a recording buffer for storing the data;
Based on the registration information corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element arrays included in the setting data and the information on the read position of the recording data of each recording element array from the recording buffer, each recording element array The recording data storage position is adjusted and stored in the recording buffer.

  The above object can also be achieved by a computer program for realizing the data processing method of the recording apparatus by a computer apparatus, and a storage medium storing the computer program.

  According to the present invention, even when the capacity of the recording buffer is small, it is possible to efficiently write recording data in the recording apparatus, and to shorten the time from when the recording is instructed to when the recording is executed. .

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not only for forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also for human beings visually perceived regardless of significance. Regardless of whether or not it has been manifested, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or the medium is processed.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  Furthermore, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of “recording (printing)” above. It represents a liquid that can be used for forming a pattern or the like, processing a recording medium, or processing an ink (for example, solidification or insolubilization of a colorant in ink applied to the recording medium).

  Further, “nozzle” (sometimes referred to as “recording element”) is a generic term for an ejection port or a liquid passage communicating with this and an element that generates energy used for ink ejection unless otherwise specified. Say it.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet recording apparatus (printing apparatus) will be described in detail.

<Schematic configuration of recording apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a cover showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment is removed.

  In FIG. 1, a carriage 101 is mounted with a recording head (not shown) and a cartridge 110, and can travel along a guide shaft 102. In the present embodiment, the recording head is an inkjet recording head. Reference numeral 103 denotes a chassis, which includes a main chassis 103a and left and right side plates 103b and 103c. A carriage motor 108 is a carriage drive source, 109 is a belt connected to the carriage and driven by the carriage motor 108, 130 is a recovery system unit for cleaning and suctioning the recording head discharge surface, and 140 is mounted on the carriage 101. It is the scale which comprises CR encoder which calculates the position and speed of a carriage with the light emitting element and light receiving element which were made.

  A recording paper as a recording medium is fed into the apparatus main body by a paper feed roller (not shown), and is nipped by a paper feeding roller 105, a pinch roller (not shown), and a paper pressing plate (not shown). It is conveyed to the recording area and recording is performed.

  There are two types of ink cartridges 110: a color ink cartridge containing three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and a black ink cartridge containing black ink. Each ink cartridge 110 is inserted separately into the cartridge guide 7 and connected to the recording head. Is done.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected to a host computer and performs recording upon receiving recording data supplied from the host computer (printer driver). In addition, the recording apparatus of the present embodiment divides the recording area in the scanning direction of the recording head into a plurality of areas in order to perform recording by scanning a carriage on which the recording head is mounted on the recording medium. Records (prints) images in units.

  In this case, in the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the host computer does not adjust the recording data position (registration adjustment) in the scanning direction by the bit-unit data processing, and the registration adjustment of the recording data is described later. 2 is performed by the recording buffering structure control circuit 8 on the recording apparatus side. The read address used in the write control block is updated every time the recording data in the recording buffer is read. For this reason, the waiting time for writing the recording data is shortened, and the effective recording speed can be increased.

<Configuration of recording control unit>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording control unit of the recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes data received from a host computer (not shown) via an interface signal line S1, and data and recording data necessary for the operation of the recording apparatus are received from the received data. Is extracted and temporarily stored, and the data extracted by the interface controller 1 is stored in the reception buffer 2 via the signal line S2.

  The reception buffer 2 is constituted by a storage device (memory) such as SRAM or DRAM, and data stored in the reception buffer has a structure as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

  As shown in the data structure of the reception buffer in FIG. 3A, data of “command” (201), “data length” (202), and “setting data” (203) are stored in order from the left. Subsequent to this, data of “command” (204), “data length” (205), and “setting data” (206) are stored. This indicates that data transferred in chronological order is stored at consecutive addresses in the reception buffer. The setting data 206 shown here is information indicating, for example, paper feed execution, paper feed amount setting, the number of recording heads to be used, and the like. Recording is not performed by the recording apparatus until all the information defined by the setting data is obtained. It becomes possible. Thereafter, recording data (209, 212), which is image data to be recorded, is stored in the reception buffer 2.

  The print data (209, 212) is data obtained by dividing the data amount required when the print head performs printing on the print medium in one scan into smaller blocks. The recording data divided in units of blocks is divided and stored sequentially as first block data (209), second block data (212),.

  FIG. 3B shows in detail the data structure of the recording data divided into blocks. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of color data (213 to 214) are sequentially stored as compressed data. The compressed TAG and the compressed data are delimited by “color changing codes” (216, 217, 218).

  For example, when recording data of four colors of cyan, yellow, magenta, and black is assumed, if a recording head in which nozzle rows each having 64 vertical nozzles for each color are arranged in two rows in the scanning direction is used, Since the data for each nozzle row constitutes recording data for one color, the two nozzle rows for four colors, that is, the compressed recording data for the first to eighth colors are recorded in one block data. Stored as data. The nozzles in this nozzle row are arranged in the recording medium conveyance direction. For example, the first color and the second color are recording data corresponding to cyan, the third color and the fourth color are recording data corresponding to magenta, the fifth color and the sixth color are recording data corresponding to yellow, and the seventh color. And the eighth color is recording data corresponding to black.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of a recording buffer that holds recording data. For example, when a maximum length of about 8 inches in one scan is recorded, if one block data has a size that can record about 1 inch in the scan direction, a total of 8 blocks of record data can be recorded. An image for one scan is completed. The first to eighth blocks are arranged in the scanning direction of the recording head, and the first color data to the eighth color data are stored in each block data. The length of each color data stored in each block corresponds to the number of nozzles of the recording head.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description of each control block is continued. Of the data stored in the reception buffer 2, “command”, “data length”, and “setting data”, which are setting values for controlling the recording apparatus, are read from the interface controller 1 by the CPU 9 via the signal line S 902. Are set in the respective control circuits (7, 8) in the figure (S903, S907). The CPU 9 interprets the read data (data corresponding to 201 to 208 in FIG. 3A) and controls overall recording control of the recording apparatus according to the result. On the other hand, regarding the processing of the recording data, the CPU 9 starts the data decompression block 55 to execute the processing.

  The data decompression block 55 reads out three types of data “compression TAG”, “compression data” and “color change code” from the reception buffer 2 as shown in FIG. Perform deployment control. In this embodiment, PackBits compression is used as the data compression / decompression method. Therefore, when the compression TAG is 8 bits and a value from 00h to 7Fh, processing is performed assuming that 1 to 128 pieces of non-contiguous data exist in the data area. When the compression TAG is 8 bits and is a value from FFh to 81h, a process of decompressing the next 1-byte data into 2 to 128 consecutive data is performed. In the data reading process, when 80h is read, it is processed as a color change code. The decompressed data is sent to the image conversion block 54 via the signal line S4a. HV conversion is performed in this image conversion block, and the HV converted data is stored in the recording buffer 4 via the signal line S4b.

  The recording buffer 4 stores the decompressed recording data in the data structure shown in FIG. The head data of the first color data of the first block is written to the head address of the recording buffer 4, and the subsequent data is sequentially written while changing the address appropriately. The area that can be stored as data of one color at the address of the recording buffer is determined by the setting data read by the CPU 9 first, and data exceeding that value cannot be written, so when compressing the recording data, the setting data The data size limit will be added accordingly. The data after detecting the color change code is sequentially written from the head address of the second color data. The control of the address data is executed by a recording buffering control structure circuit 8 to be described later.

  This writing is repeated from the first color data of the first block to the eighth color data, and when writing of the eighth color data is completed and the color change code is detected, all the data of the first block has been written. Become. The data decompression block 55 ends the data expansion operation, notifies the CPU 9 that the data expansion for one block has been completed by an interrupt (S906), and waits for the next data expansion from the CPU 9 to start.

  When a plurality of blocks of recording data are prepared on the recording buffer 4, the CPU 9 operates the carriage motor (108 in FIG. 1) to start the recording operation, and scans the carriage on which the recording head 6 is mounted. Is transferred in synchronization with the carriage encoder (CR encoder) 10 and recorded, whereby the image can be completed on the paper surface (on the recording medium). After the recording head 6 scans in the main scanning direction, the conveying means conveys the recording medium in the sub scanning direction. Thus, the scanning of the recording head and the conveyance of the recording medium are repeatedly performed to record an image for one page.

  The recording data generation block 5 reads each block structure of the recording data on the recording buffer 4 via the signal line S5 at a timing synchronized with the CR encoder 10 in accordance with a value designated by the CPU 9, and the recording head 6 performs recording. The data is output to the signal line S6 while being converted into a possible data structure. This print data generation block 5 is information on the block width (indicating the length of the block) in the print buffer, which will be described later, the height of each color of the block (“raster number” of each color data, or “nozzle” of the print head. Information about "number").

  The data area read from the recording buffer 4 is cleared to zero in order to store the next recording data.

<Receiving buffer write / read control>
As described above, the interface controller 1 writes data to the reception buffer 2 and the data decompression block 55 reads only the recording data. The write buffer and read address are controlled by the reception buffering structure control circuit. 7. The reception buffering structure control circuit 7 manages the start address and the end address of the reception buffer 2, and the write address and read address.

  The reception buffering structure control circuit 7 adds a write request signal (S701) received from the interface controller 1 for each reception, and outputs this to the reception buffer 2 as write address information (S702). The reception buffering structure control circuit 7 performs control to return the write address to the head address of the reception buffer 2 when the final address of the reception buffer 2 is reached.

  When the write address reaches (matches) the read address, the reception buffer 2 is filled with data and communicates to the interface controller 1 via the signal line S703 that the next data cannot be written.

  At the same time, the reception buffer 2 notifies the CPU 9 that the data cannot be written by an interrupt signal on the signal line S904. The structure of the reception buffer 2 can be set by the CPU 9 writing to an internal register using the bus of the signal line S903.

  When the CPU 9 reads the data in the reception buffer 2 directly via the data read register in the reception buffering structure control circuit 7, the data decompression block 55 sets the data read request signal line S705. If the request is made via the signal line S706, the read address is added one address at a time via the signal line S706 and output to the reception buffer 2.

  The reception buffering structure control circuit 7 performs control to return the read address to the start address of the reception buffer 2 when the read address reaches the final address. When the read address reaches (matches) the write address, data is lost from the reception buffer, so that the next data cannot be read is communicated to the data decompression block via the signal line S704. At the same time, the CPU 9 is informed that there is no data to be read out on the reception buffer 2 through the interrupt signal line of the signal line S904.

  The above is the processing content of the data writing / reading control to the reception buffer 2. Next, the processing contents for writing the data read out from the reception buffer 2 and developed into the recording buffer or reading the data from the recording buffer will be described.

<Record buffer read / write control>
The image conversion block 54 writes recording data to the recording buffer 4, and the recording data generation block 5 reads the written recording data. At this time, the recording buffer controls the writing address and the reading address. This is a ring structure control circuit 8.

  The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 manages the start address, the end address, the write address, and the read address of the record buffer.

  The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 appropriately changes the address each time it receives a write request signal (S801) received from the image conversion block 54, and outputs this to the recording buffer 4 as write address information (S802). Then, the recording buffering structure control circuit 8 performs control to return the write address to the head address of the recording buffer 4 when the final address of the recording buffer 4 is reached.

  When the write address reaches (matches) the read address, the recording buffer 4 is filled with the recording data, and the image conversion block 54 is notified via the signal line S809 that the next recording data cannot be written.

  When the data decompression block 55 reads the color change code from the reception buffer 2, the data decompression block 55 communicates that fact to the image conversion block 54 via the signal line S541, and the image conversion block transmits the signal line S807. To the recording buffering structure control circuit. The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 prepares to output the head address for storing the next color data from the signal line S802. The structure of the recording buffer 4 can be set by the CPU 9 writing to an internal register using the signal line 907 bus.

  When the recording data generation block 5 requests the read address for each color via the data read request signal line S805, the read address is added one address at a time via the signal line S806 and output to the recording buffer 4.

  The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 performs control to return the reading address to the head address of the recording buffer 4 when the reading address reaches the final address.

  The recording data generation block 5 sets the data structure of the recording data block currently being read out from the CPU 9 to a register in the recording data generation block 5 via the bus of the signal line S908. When all the recording data in the set recording data block structure is read, the end signal S909 is communicated to the CPU 9 as an interrupt signal. At this time, if the next recording data block has already been developed on the recording buffer 4, the recording data block structure is written into the register.

  The recording buffer 4 controls the writing of data in units of one recording data block and does not activate the recording data generation block for the recording data block that has not been written. Therefore, the reading address of the recording buffer exceeds the writing address. Absent. Reference numeral 11 denotes a buffer structure information memory. This is a working memory (work RAM) for controlling the recording buffer, and is an area for temporarily storing information about the recording buffer structure described later.

<Description of Recording Buffering Structure Control Circuit>
The recording buffering structure control circuit will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 8. FIG. In the processing of the recording buffering structure control circuit, FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining mainly the write address control, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the reading address control of the recording buffering structure control circuit 8.

  The recording buffering structure control circuit 8 includes a read control unit 8A and a write address control unit 8B. In the buffer area of the recording buffer 4, the top address of the recording buffer is indicated by top_adr, and the final address is indicated by bottom_adr. The head address is stored in the register 803 in the write address control unit 8B, and the final address is stored in the register 804 in the write address control unit 8B.

  “RP” shown in the recording buffer 4 indicates a read pointer, and “WP” indicates a write pointer. A hatched portion between RP and WP in the recording buffer indicates that recording data is stored. The white portion of the recording buffer 4 indicates that recording data is not stored.

  Reference numeral 802 in the read address control unit 8A denotes an RP control unit that manages a register indicating a data read address (RP: read pointer). Reference numerals 805 to 812 denote registers for storing information on each color for the first to eighth colors. Here, in the register 805, the buffer height information (1st_height) of the first color data, information (1_color_bit) indicating the presence / absence of the first color data, registration adjustment value information (1_reg_wnum) of the first color, and Similarly, the same information is set for the second to eighth colors in the registers 806 to 812 as well.

  Since the registration adjustment value information is a value corresponding to the relative position in the raster direction between the nozzle rows, it always has the same value for one nozzle row. That is, each nozzle row has registration adjustment value information. For example, when the first nozzle row is used as a reference, the registration adjustment value information for the first color data is 0, and if the distance between the second nozzle row and the first nozzle row is A columns, the second color data The registration adjustment value information is A. If the distance between the third nozzle row and the first nozzle row is B columns, the registration adjustment value information for the third color data is B. Thus, the registration adjustment value information of the second color data to the eighth color data corresponding to the relative distance to each nozzle row with reference to the position of the first nozzle row where the first color data is recorded. Is set.

  Reference numeral 813 denotes a register for setting block width information (block_width). This width information is a value commonly used in units of blocks from the first color to the eighth color.

  The block height information, width information, and registration adjustment value information described above are information included in the setting data described with reference to FIG.

  A register 815 stores an address of the next block data. This address is a value of one of the registers 805 to 812 storing information related to each color and a width of the register 813 storing width information related to the block data. It can be determined using the value. The write control unit 8B determines the write start address of the second block data to be written next and stores it in this register according to the setting information related to the first block data to be written.

  A register 817 stores a write start address for registration adjustment. This address includes all values of the registers 805 to 812 that store information on each color, and a value of a register 813 that stores width information about block data. Can be determined. The write control unit 8B determines the write start address for the next registration adjustment to be written according to the setting information regarding the first block data to be written, and stores it in this register.

  For example, the write control unit 8B will explain the first color data, and the second block reflecting the resist adjustment width of the data of the first block before the write of the recording data corresponding to the data of the first block is completed. The write start address information is determined. The same applies to the other color data (second color data to eighth color data).

  The write control unit 8B can update the write address information for the resist width of the first block data to the determined write start address before completing the writing of the recording data corresponding to the first block data.

  Reference numeral 816 denotes a register for storing a data write address (WP).

  Reference numeral 814 denotes an address control register, which manages write processing and read processing so that the write address (WP) does not overtake the read address (RP) or specifies an address in which both addresses overlap.

  The configuration of the address control register 814 will be described with reference to FIG. 5B. The address control register 814 includes a selection unit 814A that selects a data write destination. The selection unit 814A includes a register that holds read pointer information and information indicating the presence / absence of data corresponding to a color. This register is provided for each nozzle row (for each color). In FIG. 5B, for the sake of simplicity, a description will be given by taking a recording head having three nozzle rows as an example. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram in the case of having three registers, that is, registers for three colors. A register 880 stores data corresponding to the first color, 881 stores data corresponding to the second color, and 882 stores data corresponding to the third color. Here, in the register 880, the first color read address (1st_color_rp), information indicating the presence / absence of the first color read data (1_color_bit), and information indicating the presence / absence of the first color write data (1_color_bit_w) The same applies to the registers 881 and 882. Thus, the number of registers corresponding to the number of nozzle rows is provided. Therefore, in a recording apparatus that uses a recording head including eight nozzle rows, the selection unit 814A includes eight registers.

  The selection unit 814A selects which color is to be stored among the first color data, the second color data, and the third color data. For example, the selection unit 814A sequentially stores data from the first color to the third color for each block. When this data is stored, information indicating the presence / absence of write data and read data It is determined whether or not to write data by referring to the information indicating presence / absence (in this case, both information indicating presence / absence of write data and information indicating presence / absence of read data are used. However, for example, either one may be performed using information).

  If information indicating that there is both information indicating the presence / absence of write data and information indicating the presence / absence of read data is held in the register, the data corresponding to the register is written to the recording buffer. To do. Further, if information indicating that there is no information indicating the presence / absence of write data and information indicating the presence / absence of read data is held in the register, data corresponding to the register is not written.

  When writing is performed, data is written with reference to each register (for example, in the case of the first color, a read address (1st_color_rp)).

<Control of read address and write address>
Here, the control of the read address and the write address will be described by comparing the conventional control method and the control method according to the present embodiment.

  7A and 5C are diagrams showing a conventional method for controlling data reading / writing with respect to a recording buffer. In FIG. 7A, reference numeral 701 denotes a block currently being written, 702 a block currently being read, and 703 a block to be read next. An area indicated by “a” is an area where data of each color will be written from now on, and an area indicated by “b” is an area from which color data has already been read. FIG. 5C shows an address control register 814 provided in the conventional write control unit. The address control register 814 includes a register 814 </ b> A ′ that holds an address that can be referenced from the RP control unit 802. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the conventional write address control unit 8B can refer to only one address from the RP control unit 802. This address was the head address of each block.

  For example, when one block is composed of first color data and second color data, the head address of the area holding the first color data is referred to as the head address of each block. In another block, when it is composed of third color data, fourth color data, and fifth color data, the head address of the area holding the third color data is used as the head address of each block. Referenced.

  Therefore, in the conventional control method, after reading all the data of the block 702 being read, the address 711 stored in the register 814A ′ is updated to the first address 713 of the block 703 to be read next (this 711 and 713 are read pointers that can be referred to by the write address control unit). That is, the address update unit of the address control register 814 'provided in the conventional write control unit is one block unit. . For this reason, data can be written into an area indicated by “b” where data has already been read or an area where there is no data of that color after all the color data in one block has not been read out. Can not. As described above, the conventional method has an advantage that the management of the read address becomes simple, but the memory area cannot be used efficiently.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the data 720 that protrudes by the registration adjustment width W of the first color can be stored in the area indicated by “b” (capacity of b> 720 capacity). ), It is impossible to write any of the protruding data 720 (if one word is a writing unit, no one word can be written). For this reason, in a low-cost recording apparatus with a reduced recording buffer capacity, the number of times of waiting for writing increases and the waiting time for writing increases for the data that appears in the registration adjustment of each color.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a data read / write control method for the recording buffer according to this embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 7A are denoted by the same reference numerals. This read address control method updates the read pointer of each nozzle row (each color) each time data is read. That is, read pointers 712a, 712b, and 712c are provided independently for each color data, and a pointer value indicating an address is updated in accordance with an actual read operation. These addresses are respectively held in the address control register 814 described with reference to FIG. 5B. The address value of the address control register 814 is updated in units of one column for each color (nozzle row). As described above, the update unit of the read pointer information sent to the write address control unit is changed from one block unit to one column unit, so that the efficiency of data storage is improved.

  As a specific example, in the control method according to the present application, when data is read, the address of the read pointer is updated, and an area (room) for writing is created. Therefore, the write waiting time is shorter than before. Data is read out as the recording operation proceeds, and the read pointer advances, so that the data 720 protruding in the first color registration adjustment can be stored in the area indicated by “b”. Accordingly, the data 720 protruding in the registration adjustment of the first color can be written in the area “b”. If data is read and the read pointer is advanced by one address (for example, 16 bits), the data for one address among the data 720 protruding in the registration adjustment can be stored. Therefore, the memory area can be used efficiently even in a low-cost recording apparatus with a small recording buffer capacity. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of times of waiting for writing and to shorten the waiting time for writing for data protruding in the registration adjustment of each color.

  As an operation in this case, the RP control unit 802 outputs a read address (RP) based on the settings in the registers 880 to 887 for each color. Specifically, a read address corresponding to the currently written color is output.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. 7B. Now, it is assumed that most of the data for the first color has been written and only the data 720 that protrudes in the registration adjustment for the first color is in a write wait state.

  Here, a case is assumed in which it is determined whether or not the data 720 protruding in the registration adjustment of the first color can be written with reference to the read address of the other colors other than the read address of the first color.

  The read addresses for the first to third colors are controlled independently for each color. Therefore, even if the addresses of the second color and the third color are used to determine whether or not the data 720 protruding from the registration adjustment of the first color can be used, it can be seen that a correct determination cannot be made. The same applies to the writing of the second color and the third color. It can be seen that even if a read address other than the currently written color is used to determine whether or not “data protruding by registration adjustment of the nth color” can be written, a correct determination cannot be made.

  For the above reasons, in the present embodiment, whether or not the data protruding in the registration adjustment of each color can be written is referred to the corresponding read address.

  As a premise for performing such control, it is necessary that the number of colors used for printing, the height of the data buffer, and the width of the blocks used be not changed during the same scanning.

<Storage of data in recording buffer (FIG. 6)>
FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams for explaining how recording data is stored in the recording buffer 4. FIG. 6A shows a state in which four words are stored in the vertical order as the first color data. Here, one word corresponds to 16 pixels. If the address for storing information in the register is incremented by 1, the write pointer (WP) is counted as 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 →.

  For example, in the register setting of FIG. 6A, the value (1st_height) of the buffer height information (number of rasters) is “4”, and the value of the data presence / absence information (1_color_bit) is “1 (present)”. It is. The value of the register 813 (block width information: block_width) is “28”.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram showing data writing to the recording buffer 4 when there is data of the second color. After all the data is stored in the storage area for the first color, the write pointer (WP) is moved to the start address of the second color as shown by the arrow to store the data for the second color. FIG. 6C shows that when there is no second color data, the third color data is stored following the storage area for the first color data. In this case, the presence / absence information (2_color_bit) of the second color data in the register 806 shown in FIG. 5A is “0 (none)” indicating no data. Alternatively, if the height information (2nd_height) of the buffer is “0”, it indicates that there is no data, so this information may be used. Alternatively, a logical product operation (AND process) between the data presence / absence information and the buffer height information may be performed, and the determination may be made using the result.

  In FIG. 6D, for the second color data, e1 (WP: write pointer) indicating the writing position indicates that writing stops before e2 (RP: read pointer) indicating the reading position. This is a control for prohibiting overwriting by prohibiting data writing at a position where reading is not completed. The above control is the same for the third to eighth color regions.

<Reading data from the recording buffer>
Hereinafter, a process of reading data from the recording buffer will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, the left side shows the read address control unit 8A of the recording buffering structure control circuit 8, and the right side shows the recording buffer 4.

  The buffer area of the recording buffer 4 is represented by top_adr, which is the top address of the recording buffer, and the final address is represented by bottom_adr. The start address is stored in the register 803 and the final address is stored in the register 804. “RP” shown in the recording buffer is a read pointer as in FIG. 5A, and “WP” is a write pointer. A hatched portion between RP and WP in the recording buffer 4 indicates that recording data is stored, and other portions indicate that recording data is not stored.

  802 in the read address control unit 8A is an RP control unit indicating the read address (RP: read pointer) of each color data as described above, and 900 surrounded by a broken line frame is a first register group, a solid line frame Reference numeral 901 surrounded by the reference numeral denotes a second register group.

  When recording data from the first block to the eighth block, for example, at the start of scanning, information about the first block is stored in the first register group. The second register group stores information about the second block. When the recording of the first block is completed, the information of the second register group 901 is copied and stored in the first register group 900. The second register group 901 stores information on the third block. Thereafter, the same processing is sequentially performed until the data of the last eighth block is stored. At the start of the next scan, the first block information is again stored in the first register group, and the second block information is stored in the second register group.

  When the recording of the nth block indicated by the first register group is finished, if the information of the (n + 1) th block is not stored in the second register group, the recording data of the (n + 1) th block is not yet ready, so the second The register group information is not copied to the first register group, and in addition, data reading from the recording buffer is stopped.

  A register 819 in the first register group is a register for setting height information (1st_height) for the first color and presence / absence information (1_color_bit) of color data. The registers 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, and 834 are registers for setting height information and data presence / absence information in the same manner for the second to eighth colors.

  A register 820 stores width information (block_width) of each block data. This width information is a value that is commonly used in units of blocks from the first color to the eighth color.

  The register 818 is a register for storing a first color read address (1st_color_adr). When the data is read from the recording buffer 819 in which the first color data is stored, the address is updated.

  The first color read address (1st_color_adr) corresponds to 1st_color_rp of the register 880 of the switching unit 814A described in the description of FIG. 5B or 712a described in the description of FIG. 7B. Similarly, the second color read address (2st_color_adr) corresponds to 2nd_color_rp of the register 881 of the switching unit 814A described in the description of FIG. 5B or 712b described in the description of FIG. 7B. The same applies to the address.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the data is read out from the first color data for 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 and one column. Registers 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, and 833 are registers for storing read addresses of the second to eighth colors, respectively, and the data for the second to eighth colors are the same as the data for the first color. The data for one column is read out in order.

  Since the data stored in the recording buffer 4 includes data of a plurality of colors, for example, when the data of the first color, the second color,... Are mixed, the addresses for storing the data for each color unit are continuous. It will not be. Therefore, if there is only one read address register, it is necessary to calculate the address when reading the address of the second color recording buffer 1 next to the address of the first color recording buffer 4, for example. By preparing a register for storing a read address for each color in the buffer 4, it is possible to omit address calculation when reading is performed in column units.

  Reference numeral 817 denotes an address control register. When the recording data generation block 5 requests the read address for each color via the data read request signal line S805, the address control register 817 adds one address at a time via the signal line S806 as a read address and outputs it to the recording buffer 4. To do.

  A register 835 stores the address of the next block. If the block currently being read is the first block, this register stores the start address of the second block. The value of this register is copied to the register 802 when reading of the block data currently being read is completed. As a result, the next block data can be read smoothly.

  The register 836 is a table that stores information for specifying the reading order among the first to eighth colors. The order of reading data from the recording buffer can be freely set by the values set in this table. For example, it is possible to read in the order of the first color → the second color →... → the eighth color. It is also possible to change the value and skip reading of the data of the third color and the fourth color, such as 1st color → 2nd color → 5th color → 6th color → 7th color → 8th color. . As a result, it is possible to accurately skip the recorded data of colors that are not stored.

  The second register group 901 is a collection of buffers for storing information relating to the next block data. When each register in the first register group is read, the value set in each register in the second register group is set in the corresponding register in the first register group. For example, the value set in the register 838 is set in the register 819. Registers 839 to 845 are registers in which similar information is set for the second to eighth color data in the next block data.

  The register 838 (819) stores buffer height information for the first color data and information indicating the presence or absence of the first color data.

  846 (820) is a register for setting block width information. This width information is a value that is commonly used in units of blocks from the first color to the eighth color.

  The register 878 is a register that stores information (same_type) indicating whether or not the block size set earlier is the same as the block size. If the block size is the same, this value is set to “1”. Thus, the same value can be easily set in the first register group. In this case, the setting of the registers 838 to 846 can be omitted. On the other hand, when the value of the register 878 is “0”, the respective values are set in the registers 838 to 846.

  As described above, according to a preferred embodiment, in the ink jet recording apparatus, a register for storing a read address of print data is provided corresponding to each print element array, and the read address corresponding to the read data is updated each time the print data is read. By providing such a function, it is possible to speed up the transfer of recording data from the host computer, and it is possible to reduce the time from when the recording is instructed by the host computer until the recording apparatus executes the recording.

<Calculation of registration adjustment value>
The registration adjustment value information (1_reg_wnum) between the nozzle rows described in the present embodiment differs depending on the individual print heads (print cartridges) and their attachments. However, when the recording head is replaced, it is preferable to record a predetermined test pattern and set the value input by the user by visually checking or reading the deviation amount with a scanner or the like. For example, a setting menu may be provided in a printer driver that operates on a host computer, and the user may set registration adjustment value information using the menu.

  As another example, the user sets a deviation amount by visually recognizing the deviation amount using an operation unit provided in the recording apparatus. With this setting, registration adjustment value information is stored in a storage means provided in the recording apparatus. The registration adjustment value information stored in the storage means is used in the recording buffering structure control circuit 8 described above. The registration adjustment value information may be transferred from the recording apparatus to the host computer in advance before transferring the recording data from the host computer to the recording apparatus.

  The detection and calculation of the adjustment value based on the recorded test pattern can be performed by various conventionally known methods, but since it is not a feature of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording in accordance with the ink jet method is described as an example. However, the present invention describes a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arrayed as an array direction of recording elements. Any recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning in the intersecting direction can be applied to other types of recording apparatuses.

  The above embodiment includes means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) that generates thermal energy as energy used to cause ink ejection, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and the ink is generated by the thermal energy. By using a system that causes a change in the state of recording, it is possible to achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

  In addition to the cartridge-type recording head in which the ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus body by being attached to the apparatus body. A replaceable chip type recording head that can supply ink from the apparatus main body may be used.

  In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like as well as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer or a separate apparatus, and a transmission / reception function are provided. It may be in the form of a facsimile machine or a multi-function machine having these functions.

1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a cover removed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data transferred from a host computer and stored in a receiving buffer. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the recording buffer which hold | maintains recording data. It is a figure explaining the write address control of a recording buffering structure control circuit. It is a figure which shows the address control register of FIG. 5A in detail. It is a figure which shows the address control register 814 with which the conventional write-control part is equipped. It is a figure explaining how recording data is stored in a recording buffer. It is a figure explaining the control method of the conventional read address. It is a figure explaining the control method of the read address which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the read-out process of the data from the recording buffer of a recording buffering structure control circuit.

Claims (16)

A recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of the arrangement,
A reception buffer that stores setting data including registration information transmitted from the connected host device and corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element arrays, and recording data of each recording element array;
A recording buffer for storing recording data of each recording element array in association with a recording position in the scanning direction;
Based on the registration information and information on the read position of the recording data of each recording element array from the recording buffer, the storage position of the recording data of each recording element array is adjusted and stored in the recording buffer. And a writing control means. The recording buffer is configured to divide a recording area in the scanning direction into a plurality of blocks and store recording data for each block;
The write control unit changes the storage start position of the recording data of each recording element array in the block according to the registration information, and transmits from the host device corresponding to the block based on the information of the reading position The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the recorded data can be stored.   The information on the read position includes a read address for each print element array, information indicating the presence / absence of read data, and information indicating the presence / absence of print data. Recording device. The capacity of the recording buffer is less than the amount of data that the recording head can record in one scan,
4. The write control unit according to claim 1, wherein the write control unit stores recording data at a head address next to a last address of the recording buffer, and uses the recording buffer in a cyclic manner. The recording device described in 1.   5. The write controller according to claim 1, further comprising a register that updates information on the read position for each print element array each time print data is read from the print buffer. 6. Recording device.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording is performed with a different color for each recording element array.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording is performed by discharging ink from each recording element.   The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each recording element includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink so as to eject the ink using thermal energy. Recording is performed by scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arrayed in a direction crossing the direction of the array, and is transmitted from a connected host device. A recording buffer comprising: a reception buffer for storing the recording data; and a recording buffer for storing the recording data of each recording element array in association with the recording position in the scanning direction,
Based on the registration information corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element arrays included in the setting data and the information on the read position of the recording data of each recording element array from the recording buffer, each recording element array A data processing method for a recording apparatus, comprising: a control step of controlling the storage position of the recording data to be adjusted and stored in the recording buffer. A data processing method for a recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a direction crossing the direction of the arrangement,
A reception data storing step for storing setting data including registration information corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element arrays and the recording data of each recording element array, transmitted from the connected host device;
A recording data storage step of storing recording data of each recording element array in a recording buffer in association with a recording position in the scanning direction;
Based on the registration information and information on the read position of the recording data of each recording element array from the recording buffer, the storage position of the recording data of each recording element array is adjusted and stored in the recording buffer. A data control method for a recording apparatus. A recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged is scanned in a direction crossing the direction of the arrangement to perform recording, and has a plurality of regions divided into a plurality in the scanning direction, A control method for a recording apparatus having a recording buffer for storing recording data corresponding to each of the recording element arrays,
An input step of inputting recording data corresponding to a region divided into a plurality in the scanning direction;
A writing control step of writing the recording data into a plurality of regions divided in the scanning direction in the order of input, writing based on registration information corresponding to the relative distance in the scanning direction between the recording element rows;
A read control step of reading the recording data written in the recording buffer for each recording element array;
A control method for a recording apparatus comprising:   A program executable by a computer in which a procedure of a data processing method for a recording apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11 is described in a program code.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program in which a program code is written in the data processing method of the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11. A recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of the arrangement,
A recording buffer having a plurality of areas divided into a plurality of recording data in each scanning element array in the scanning direction;
Input means for inputting recording data corresponding to an area divided into a plurality in the scanning direction from the outside;
Write control means for writing the recording data in a plurality of areas divided in the scanning direction in the input order of the recording data based on registration information corresponding to a relative distance between the recording element rows in the scanning direction; ,
A recording apparatus comprising: reading control means for reading the recording data written in the recording buffer for each recording element array.   The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a capacity of the recording buffer is smaller than a data amount that the recording head can record in one scan.   The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the write control unit includes a register that updates information on the reading position for each recording element array each time recording data is read from the recording buffer.

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