JP2008119593A - Ink ejection control device, ink ejection control method, ink ejection control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink discharge control apparatus capable of forming an ink film having a uniform film thickness on a substrate is provided.
A defective pixel adjacent to each other is extracted based on first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel on the substrate. Then, based on the second area information representing the first area information of each of these defective pixels 25a, the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle 18 to a position closer to the boundary between the defective pixels 25a is determined from the boundary. The ejection of ink from the nozzles 18 is controlled so as to be smaller than the amount of ink ejected to a farther position.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ejection apparatus that ejects ink onto a medium and a control method thereof, and in particular, by ejecting ink quickly and accurately to, for example, a pixel of a color filter panel (Color Filter Panel). The present invention relates to an ink ejection control apparatus, an ink ejection control method, an ink ejection control program, and a recording medium that can perform high-quality pixel application.

  In recent years, the technology for ejecting ink has been applied not only to consumer printers, but also to color filter panel (Color Filter Panel, hereinafter also referred to as “CF panel”) production equipment for liquid crystal and other production equipment. It is becoming widely diversified and its uses are diversifying.

  As an example thereof, there is an ink jet patterning technique for forming a pattern on a substrate using a technique for ejecting ink. The ink jet patterning technique is a technique for ejecting a small amount of liquid (ink) from an ink ejection device and printing a fine pattern directly on a substrate. This ink-jet patterning technique has been attracting attention as a technique that can be used in a vacuum removal process in place of a conventional pattern generation method using a vacuum process by photolithography.

  Development of an ink discharge apparatus for forming a CF panel using an ink jet patterning technique has been actively promoted. This ink ejection device fills each pixel by landing inks of each color of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in the RGB pixel region formed on the glass substrate, A CF panel is formed. This ink ejection device is used particularly in the manufacture of liquid crystal CF panels, which have been increasing in area in recent years. As a production apparatus, this ink ejection apparatus is required to have its processing time strictly managed and to reliably perform the process within a short time within a certain range. In addition, high-quality panel manufacturing such as liquid crystal TV applications is required.

  In addition, the inkjet patterning technique is widely used not only as a whole pixel printing technique, but also as a technique for repairing defective pixels such as color mixture caused by contamination or adhesion of impurities. In the method of repairing a defective pixel by the inkjet patterning technology, when repairing a defective pixel due to color mixing of ink between adjacent pixels, the ink layer of the defective pixel in which color mixing has occurred is removed using a laser device such as an Nd: YAG laser. The ink is removed, and the ink of the designated color of RGB is restored to the removed portion by using an ink jet patterning technique.

In Patent Document 1, as a full surface printing method and a partial pixel restoration method, when a pixel is restored by ejecting ink to the pixel, ink droplets are ejected from the same nozzle at irregular intervals, A method for changing the ink ejection start position is disclosed. By this method, it is possible to spread the ink uniformly on the pixels and prevent white spots at the corners of the pixel frame.
JP-A-8-327816 (released on December 13, 1996)

  However, in the conventional ink ejecting apparatus, when ink is ejected to at least two or more adjacent pixels, the ink moves from a region having a low ink solvent atmosphere concentration to a region having a high ink solvent atmosphere concentration on the medium. For this reason, the ink film thickness at the position closest to the boundary between adjacent pixels is thicker than the ink film thickness at the position farthest from the boundary, and the ink film shape of the pixels becomes non-uniform. As a result, there has been a problem that an ink film with good quality cannot be formed in the pixel.

  In addition, the ink ejection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is configured to uniformly spread ink on each pixel by controlling the ejection position of the ink ejected from the same nozzle, and to at least two adjacent pixels. On the other hand, there is no disclosure of a method for solving the problem of non-uniform pixel ink film shape that occurs when ink is ejected.

  In recent years, liquid crystal display devices including a CF panel produced by a production apparatus using the above-described ink jet patterning technology have become larger and larger. For this reason, it is possible to form a uniform and high-quality film on the substrate, to accurately adjust the position of defective pixels, and to discharge defective pixels so that a high-quality image can be obtained. Realizing the processing is extremely important in a CF panel production apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to control the ejection of ink according to the arrangement state of at least two adjacent pixels so that the film thickness shape is uniform. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink ejection device capable of forming an ink film with good quality on a pixel.

  In order to solve the above problems, the ink ejection control device according to the present invention is adjacent to each other, which is extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. Of the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area based on the second area information representing the shape, size, and position of the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area. In the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region, the discharge amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the discharge amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary. A control means for controlling the ejection amount of the ejected ink is provided.

  Further, in order to solve the above problems, the ink ejection control method according to the present invention is adjacent to each other extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. The first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area based on second area information representing the shape, size, and position of the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area The first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection so that the ejection amount of ink ejected to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink ejection region and the ink ejection amount ejected to a position closer to the boundary is larger. It is characterized by including a control step for controlling the amount of ink ejected to the region.

  According to the above configuration, the control unit is configured to eject the ink based on the second area information extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. To control. The second area information represents information on the shape, size, and position of the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area that are adjacent to each other, and is adjacent to the first ink ejection area from these information. Information on the adjacent position of the second ink discharge area to the first ink discharge area is obtained.

  That is, based on the second area information, the control means causes the amount of ink ejected to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area to be closer to this boundary. The ejection amount of the ink ejected to the first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection region is controlled so as to be larger than the ejection amount of the ejected ink.

  As a result, even if the ink that has landed on the ink discharge area moves from a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low to a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high, the ink film thickness can be made uniform. That is, even if the ink that has landed on the ink discharge area is attracted to a position closer to the boundary between the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area (a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high), it is farther from this boundary. Since the amount of ink discharged to a position (a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low) is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a closer position, the entire thickness of the ink that has landed on the ink discharge area Can be uniform.

  In the ink ejection control apparatus according to the present invention, the area information output means for outputting the first area information and the adjacent area for extracting the second area information from the first area information output by the area information output means. It is preferable to include an area extracting unit.

  In the above configuration, when the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium has been created in advance, the area information output means outputs the first area information. For example, the information is acquired from an external device or a memory, and the acquired first area information is output. The process of acquiring and outputting the first area information at this time may be executed according to a program describing the process.

  The area information output means is a first area that represents the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area based on an electrical signal output by an imaging device such as a CCD that images and outputs the ink ejection area on the medium. Information may be generated. The process of generating the first area information from the electrical signal representing the imaging pattern of the ink ejection area may be executed according to a program describing the process.

  The adjacent area extracting unit acquires the first area information output from the area information output unit and analyzes the first area information to determine whether at least two ink ejection areas are adjacent to each other. If a first ink discharge area and a second ink discharge area that are adjacent to each other are found, first area information of the at least two ink discharge areas is extracted as second area information.

  The analysis process of the first area information and the extraction process of the second area information performed by the adjacent area extraction unit may be executed according to a program describing the process.

  In the ink ejection device according to the present invention, the ink that is movable relative to the ink ejection control device and a medium, and is provided with a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the medium as a nozzle row. The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means, and the control means includes the first discharge area and the second ink. When the discharge area is adjacent to the movement direction of the ink discharge means so as to be orthogonal, the ink discharged at a position closer to the boundary between the first discharge area and the second discharge area The amount of ink discharged to the first discharge region and the second ink discharge region and the amount of ink discharged to the first and second ink discharge regions so that the amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of discharge. It is preferable to control at least one of exudates droplet number.

  According to the above configuration, when the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means, the control means The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region by controlling the appropriate amount of ink or the number of droplets discharged to the ink discharge region, respectively. Is made larger than the ejection amount of ink ejected to a position closer to this boundary.

  At this time, the nozzle rows provided in the ink discharge means are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting at least one of the number of ejected droplets and the amount of ejected droplets ejected from each of the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle row, the amount of ejected ink can be easily controlled, and the ink ejection region can be controlled. Ink droplets having a uniform film thickness as a whole can be more reliably formed.

  In the ink ejection device according to the present invention, the ink that is movable relative to the ink ejection control device and a medium, and is provided with a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the medium as a nozzle row. The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means, and the control means includes the first discharge area and the second ink. When the ejection region is adjacent to the ink ejection unit in parallel with the moving direction, the ejection amount of ink ejected at a position closer to the boundary between the first ejection region and the second ink. However, it is preferable to control the discharge interval of the ink discharged to the first discharge region and the second ink discharge region so that the discharge amount of the ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is increased. Arbitrariness.

  According to the above configuration, when the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area, which are represented by the second area information, are adjacent in parallel to the moving direction of the ink ejection means, The control means discharges to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region by controlling the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles to the ink discharge region. The ink discharge amount is set to be larger than the ink discharge amount discharged to a position closer to this boundary.

  At this time, the nozzle rows provided in the ink discharge means are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. For this reason, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled by appropriately adjusting the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle row, and the ink having a uniform film thickness shape as a whole in the ink discharge region Droplets can be formed more reliably.

  In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit ejects ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink ejection unit. At least one of the appropriate amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink to a position farther from the boundary is larger than at least one of the proper amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets discharged from It is preferable that at least one of the appropriate amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected to the first ejection area and the second ink ejection area is changed in a stepwise manner.

  According to the above configuration, the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area represented by the second area information are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. When the control unit is configured to discharge the ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges ink to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region among the plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row. The amount of ink discharged so that at least one of the number of drops and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid is greater than at least one of the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink to a position closer to this boundary and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid To control. That is, as the ink discharge position of the nozzle moves away from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region, at least one of the number of ink discharge droplets and the appropriate amount of the discharge liquid is sequentially set for each nozzle. Increase.

  In this way, the amount of ink discharged can be easily increased by increasing at least one of the number of ink droplets discharged from each nozzle and the appropriate amount of the discharged liquid step by step as the nozzle moves away from the boundary. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably form ink droplets having a uniform film thickness as a whole in the ink ejection region.

  In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit ejects ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink ejection unit. The first discharge region and the second ink are set such that the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle discharging the ink at a position farther from the boundary is narrower than the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle. It is preferable to change the discharge interval of the ink discharged to the discharge region in a stepwise manner.

  According to the above configuration, when the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area, which are represented by the second area information, are adjacent in parallel to the moving direction of the ink ejection means, The control unit is configured to set an ejection interval of ink ejected from a nozzle that ejects ink to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection region among the plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row. The ink discharge amount is controlled so as to be wider than the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges the ink closer to the boundary. That is, the ink discharge interval of each nozzle is gradually increased stepwise as the ink discharge position of the nozzle moves away from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region.

  In this way, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled by gradually increasing the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle as the nozzle moves away from the above-mentioned boundary, so that the ink discharge region can be controlled. Ink droplets having a uniform film thickness as a whole can be more reliably formed.

  An ink discharge control program according to the present invention is an ink discharge control program for operating the ink discharge control device, and is characterized by causing a computer to function as each means provided in the ink discharge control device.

  Accordingly, the computer can be caused to function as the ink ejection control device of the present invention, and the operational effects exhibited by the ink ejection control device already described can be obtained.

  A computer-readable recording medium that records the ink ejection control program according to the present invention is also included in the category of the present invention.

  The ink discharge control apparatus according to the present invention controls the discharge amount of ink to be discharged after extracting the arrangement of the ink discharge region in the ink discharge region as described above. As a result, even if the ink after landing is attracted to a position closer to the boundary between adjacent ink ejection areas in the ink ejection area, the ejection amount of ink ejected to a position farther from this boundary is closer to the boundary. Since it is larger than the amount of ink ejected to the position, it is possible to make the film thickness shape of the ink landed on the ink ejection region uniform as a whole. As a result, it is possible to form an ink film with good quality on the medium.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 as follows.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an ink ejection apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink ejection device 100 includes an ink ejection control device 1, an ink ejection region detection device 2, an ink ejection region data storage device 3, a head driving unit 4, a head moving unit 5, and a head (ink ejection unit). 6 and a substrate moving unit 7.

  The ink discharge control device 1 includes an ink discharge region recognition unit (region information output unit) 10, an adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit (adjacent region extraction unit) 11, an ink discharge order determination unit 12, an ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13, An ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14, an ink discharge pattern generation unit 15, a head movement signal generation unit 16, and a control unit (control means) 17 are provided. Here, the control unit 17 controls each component of the ink ejection control apparatus 1 described below.

  The ink ejection area detection device 2 is a pixel that is a target area on which ink is ejected on the CF panel (medium), or a defective pixel that has occurred on the CF panel (first ink ejection area, second ink ejection area). Is detected and output as first area information, or first area information that has already been detected is provided to the ink ejection control apparatus 1. More specifically, for example, using a data file obtained from a laser device or the like in advance, the ink ejection region detection device 2 describes the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel, and the information is electronically stored. There is a method of outputting as data. Hereinafter, in particular, ink ejection control for defective pixels will be described. The first area information of the defective pixel detected by the ink discharge area detection device 2 is sent to the ink discharge control apparatus 1 and used for ink discharge control or temporarily stored in the ink discharge area data storage device 3.

  The head 6 is for ejecting ink to a plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel, and the ejection is controlled by the head driving unit 4. The head 6 is relatively moved on the CF panel by the head moving unit 5 based on the head movement signal. The head 6 is provided with a plurality of nozzles as nozzle rows for ejecting ink onto the CF panel. Details of the ink ejection control of the head 6 will be described later.

  The ink discharge area recognition unit 10 detects or generates the first area information for each of a plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel, which is detected by the ink discharge area detection device 2. The ink discharge area recognition unit 10 directly acquires the first area information from the ink discharge area detection device 2 or acquires and outputs the first area information stored in the ink discharge area data storage device. May be.

  Alternatively, when the ink discharge area detection device 2 is configured by an imaging element such as a CCD, the ink discharge area recognition unit 10 detects the first ink discharge area on the substrate 8 based on an electrical signal that is output. The area information may be generated. The process of generating the first area information from the electrical signal representing the imaging pattern of the ink ejection area may be executed according to a program describing the process.

  The adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 is a defective pixel adjacent to each other among a plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel based on the first region information recognized or acquired by the ink ejection region recognition unit 10. To extract. The adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11 extracts the first area information of each defective pixel adjacent to each other as the second area information from the first area information, and these defective pixels move the head 6. It is determined whether they are arranged adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the direction, or are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel to the moving direction of the head 6.

  When there are a plurality of adjacent defective pixel combinations extracted by the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11, the ink ejection order determination unit 12 determines the second of the plurality of adjacent defective pixels recognized by the ink ejection region recognition unit 10. The order of repairing each defective pixel is determined based on the area information. In other words, the ink ejection order determination unit 12 aims to minimize the number of scans of the head 6 and minimize the processing time based on information on the shape, size, and position of a plurality of adjacent defective pixels. The repair order of defective pixels is determined.

  The ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13 is based on the first region information of the defective pixel recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10 and the second region information of the defective pixels adjacent to each other extracted by the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11. Thus, it is determined which of the plurality of nozzles provided in the head 6 is to eject ink.

  The ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 firstly includes the first region information of the defective pixel recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10 and the first of the defective pixels adjacent to each other extracted by the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11. Based on the area information of 2, the ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13 determines the amount of ink discharge droplets from each nozzle that discharges ink by calculation. That is, from a plurality of nozzles, the amount of ink discharged from a nozzle that discharges ink to a position farther from this boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged from a nozzle that discharges ink to a position closer to the boundary between adjacent defective pixels. An appropriate amount of ink discharge liquid from the nozzle group included in the nozzle row is determined.

  More specifically, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 moves the defective pixels based on the second region information of adjacent defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11. When it is determined that they are arranged adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the direction (see FIG. 5A), the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle to the defective pixel is substantially uniform in each of the nozzles that discharge the ink. Make sure the interval is correct. As a result, the positions at which the ink ejected a plurality of times from one nozzle lands on the defective pixel are arranged at approximately equal intervals.

  Further, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 determines the number of ink discharge droplets or the discharge droplet amount by calculation for each of the nozzles that discharge ink.

  On the other hand, based on the second area information of the defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink discharge area extraction unit 11, the defective pixels are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel with the moving direction of the head 6 (FIG. 5B). In this case, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 makes the number of ink discharge droplets discharged from the nozzles to the defective pixels and the appropriate amount of the discharge liquid substantially uniform in each of the nozzles that discharge ink. As a result, the amount of ink ejected a plurality of times from one nozzle lands on the defective pixel is substantially uniform.

  Further, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 can adjust the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzles and the landing positions of the ink droplets that land on the CF panel for each of the nozzles that discharge the ink. It is determined by calculation.

  The ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 is determined by the position information of the defective pixels recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10, the repair order of the defective pixels determined by the ink discharge order determination unit 12, and the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14. The ink discharge pattern is generated based on the discharged ink droplet amount, the number of discharged droplets, and the discharge interval.

  The ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 generates an ink discharge pattern for generating a drive signal to be supplied to the head drive unit 4 based on the second region information for one adjacent defective pixel region. That is, when there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, a plurality of ink ejection patterns are generated based on the second area information of each defective pixel area.

  When there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, the head movement signal generation unit 16 sets the second area information of these defective pixels and the repair order of the defective pixels determined by the ink ejection order determination unit 12. Based on this, a movement signal for relatively moving the head 6 and the substrate 8 is generated, and this movement signal is supplied to the head moving unit 5 or the substrate moving unit 7.

  The order in which the plurality of ink ejection patterns are used is based on the ejection order determined by the ink ejection order determination unit 12. That is, the ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 generates a drive signal along the discharge order determined by the ink discharge order determination unit 12 from the ink discharge pattern generated for the adjacent defective pixel as a target, and sends it to the head drive unit. Supply.

  2A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the head 6, and FIG. 2B shows the head 6 and the substrate 8 (CF panel) on which ink is ejected from each nozzle 18 of the head 6. As shown in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the head 6 includes a nozzle 18, a casing 19, a nozzle plate 20, an ink discharge hole 21, and a piezoelectric member 22, and contains ink. The number of nozzles 18 does not correspond to the number of nozzles 18 in FIG. 3, but the number of nozzles 18 is four for convenience of explanation.

  Specifically, the opening of the housing 19 is prevented by the nozzle plate 20. The nozzle plate 20 is provided with nozzles 18 at a predetermined interval. The nozzle 18 is formed with an ink discharge hole 21 having a diameter of about 20 μm. A piezoelectric member 22 is provided inside the housing 19 so as to form an ink flow path 23. When ink is ejected from the nozzle 18 to the substrate 8, the piezoelectric member 22 vibrates according to the applied voltage, so that the ink droplet 24 is ejected from the nozzle 18 to the substrate 8 along the ink flow path 23. Is done.

  Note that when ink jet is continuously used, the nozzles may become non-ejection nozzles due to changes in the head and ink over time. Here, a non-ejection nozzle is a nozzle that has become unable to eject ink due to contamination of foreign matter in the nozzle, or is unstable such that the landing accuracy of the ejected ink exceeds the specified range. A nozzle that has fallen into a proper discharge state. In that case, discharge failure recovery processing such as prime processing and wiping processing is generally performed to achieve a stable discharge state.

  FIG. 3 shows a part of defective pixels that are scattered on the CF panel 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the head 6 includes a blue (B) head 6 </ b> B in which a plurality of nozzles 18 for discharging blue ink is provided as a nozzle row, and a plurality of nozzles 18 for discharging green ink. Are composed of a green (G) head 6G provided as a nozzle row and a plurality of nozzles 18 for discharging red ink as a red (R) head 6R provided as a nozzle row. Here, the nozzle rows of the heads 6 of the respective colors are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the heads 6.

  On the CF panel 8, a blue (B) pixel 9B, a green (G) pixel 9G, and a red (R) pixel 9R are provided in a predetermined arrangement. In FIG. 3, the head 6 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. The defective pixel 25a is arranged adjacent to a position orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6, and the defective pixel 25b is arranged adjacent to a position parallel to the moving direction of the head 6. is there.

  The defective pixel 25a is a blue (B) defective pixel and a blue (B) defective pixel. The defective pixel 25b is a blue (B) defective pixel and a red (R) defective pixel. For the defective pixel 25a, ink is ejected using the blue head 6B. Specifically, out of the nozzles 18 arranged in a row for the blue head 6B, based on the position and size of the pixel of the defective pixel 25a, the assigned nozzles 18 to the defective pixel 25a. Thus, ink is ejected from the ink droplets 24 at a constant ejection interval.

  On the other hand, for the defective pixel 25b, ink is ejected using the blue head 6B and the red head 6R. Specifically, among the nozzles 18 arranged in a row in the blue head 6B and the red head 6R, the plurality of nozzles 18 assigned based on the position and size of the pixel of the defective pixel 25b. The ink droplets 24 are ejected to the defective pixel 25b at a certain ejection interval.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, as the ink to be used, inks of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) corresponding to each pixel color of the CF panel are used. The heads 6B, 6G, and 6R are provided so as to be separated from each other so that the inks do not mix inside, and the ejection of ink can be controlled independently of each other. Further, the pixels of the CF panel have a substantially rectangular area shape, and the inside of the pixels filled with ink is hydrophilized so that the ink spreads well, and ink does not flow into adjacent pixels around the pixels. As described above, the water repellent process is performed to separate adjacent pixels.

  4 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink film thickness in the pixel long side direction of the defective pixel 25a when several seconds have elapsed after the head 6 ejected ink to the defective pixel 25a in FIG. 3 (AA ′ in FIG. 3). ). The pixels (9B, 25a) are separated by a black matrix 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the film thickness of the ink ejected into the pixel of the defective pixel 25a increases in the vicinity of the boundary surface between adjacent pixels, and decreases as the distance from the boundary surface increases. That is, since the ink that has landed on the substrate 8 moves from a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low to a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high, the film thickness of the defective pixels 25a is not uniform as a whole.

  The configuration of the ink ejection apparatus 100 of the present invention that can solve the problem of the difference in the ink film thickness that occurs when ink lands is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). 5A shows the ejection amount of ink ejected from the head 6 when ink is ejected to the defective pixel 25a in FIG. 3, that is, the defective pixel adjacent to the defective pixel 25a perpendicular to the moving direction of the head 6. FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown. FIG. 5B illustrates an ejection amount of ink ejected from the head 6 when ink is ejected to the defective pixel 25 b in FIG. 3, that is, a defective pixel adjacent in parallel to the moving direction of the head 6. FIG. 5A and 5B, the head 6 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when defective pixels 25a are arranged adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6, nozzles that discharge ink near the boundary surface where the defective pixels 25a are adjacent to each other. The number of droplets discharged from the nozzle 18 and the appropriate amount of the discharge liquid are controlled so that the discharge amount from the nozzle 18 is minimized. Then, the number of ejected liquid droplets from the plurality of nozzles 18 and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid are sequentially increased step by step so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 18 increases as the distance from the boundary surface between adjacent defective pixels 25a increases. To control.

  In other words, at the position closest to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25a, the ejection of ink from each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the appropriate number of discharged liquids and the appropriate amount of discharged liquid are minimized, and between the defective pixels 25a. In the position farthest from the boundary surface, the ejection of ink from each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the number of ejected ink droplets and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid are maximized. At this time, the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle 18 to the defective pixel 25a is set to a substantially uniform interval in each of the nozzles that discharge ink.

  Here, the head 6 is provided with a nozzle row including nozzles 18 so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6. For this reason, by appropriately adjusting the amount and the number of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle 18 provided in the head 6, the ink ejection amount can be easily controlled and ejected to the defective pixel 25a. The film thickness shape of the ink can be made uniform as a whole. As described above, even if the ink after landing on the defective pixel 25a is attracted to a position closer to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25a, the discharge amount of the ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary surface is Since the amount of ink ejected at a position closer to the surface is larger, the ink film thickness after landing on the defective pixel 25a can be made uniform as a whole. As a result, clear pixels having no color unevenness can be obtained, and a high-quality CF panel 8 can be manufactured.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the defective pixels 25b are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel to the moving direction of the head 6, they are discharged from the nozzles 18 to the defective pixels 25b. Control is performed so that the ink discharge amount is constant and the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle 18 is sequentially changed. Specifically, first, as the head 6 approaches an adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, control is performed so that the ejection intervals of the ink ejected from the nozzles 18 are sequentially reduced. Next, as the head 6 moves away from the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, control is performed so that the ejection intervals of the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles 18 are gradually increased in stages.

  That is, each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the discharge interval of the discharged ink becomes the narrowest at the position closest to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, and the discharge is performed at the position farthest from the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b. Each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the discharge interval of the ink to be discharged becomes the widest. At this time, the number of liquid droplets discharged from the nozzles 18 to the defective pixels 25b and the appropriate amount of liquid to be discharged are made substantially uniform in each of the nozzles 18 that discharge ink.

  Here, the head 6 is provided with a nozzle row including nozzles 18 so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6. For this reason, by appropriately adjusting the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle 18 provided in the head 6, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled, and the film thickness shape of the ink discharged to the defective pixel 25b. Can be made uniform as a whole. As described above, even if the ink that has landed on the defective pixel 25b is attracted to a position closer to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, the amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary surface is smaller. Since the amount of ink ejected to a position closer to the boundary surface is larger, the ink film thickness after landing on the defective pixel 25b can be made uniform as a whole. As a result, clear pixels having no color unevenness are obtained, and a high-quality CF panel 8 can be manufactured.

  Also, in FIG. 5B, the ejection interval of the ink ejected from each nozzle 18 is made constant, and the head 6 is ejected from each nozzle 18 as it approaches the adjacent boundary surface between each defective pixel 25b. The ink droplet size is controlled so as to be sequentially reduced, and the ink droplet size ejected from each nozzle is sequentially increased as the head 6 moves away from the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b. May be. It is necessary to change the ink droplet shape and the ratio of changing the droplet size depending on the pixel size, the distribution of defective pixels in the substrate 8, the wettability of the substrate 8, the physical properties of the ink, and the like.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the flow of the ink discharge control process by the ink discharge control apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of ink ejection control processing by the ink ejection control device.

  First, the ink ejection area recognition unit 10 acquires first area information for defective pixels on the CF panel 8 from the ink ejection area detection device 2 or the ink ejection area data storage device 3 (step S600). Subsequently, the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 receives the first region information from the ink ejection region recognition unit 10, confirms (analyzes) the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel (step S601), and step S601. Whether or not there is a defective pixel adjacent to each other is determined based on the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel confirmed in (Step S602). In step S602, when the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11 determines that there is no defective pixel adjacent to each other (No), the ink discharge control process is ended.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S602 that there is a defective pixel adjacent to each other (Yes), the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 determines whether there are a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other (step S603). ).

  In step S603, when the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11 determines that there are not a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other (No), the ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13 determines the nozzle 18 that discharges ink (step S605). ). On the other hand, when the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 determines in step S603 that there are a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other (Yes), the ink ejection order determination unit 12 determines the combination of the plurality of defective pixels. The order in which ink is ejected is determined (step S604), and the ink ejection nozzle determination unit 13 determines the nozzle 18 from which ink is ejected for the combination of defective pixels with the earliest order (step S605).

  Next, in step S605, the appropriate number of ink discharge liquid calculation unit determines the amount of ink discharged from each nozzle 18 that has determined the ink discharge in accordance with the ink discharge control method of the present invention already described (step S605). S606). Then, the ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 generates an ink discharge pattern (step S607).

  At this time, when there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15 receives the second area information corresponding to each combination from the adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11, and for each defective pixel The ink ejection pattern may be generated at a time.

  Further, the head movement signal generation unit 16 generates a head movement signal for moving the head 6 relative to the substrate 8 based on the ink discharge pattern generated by the ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 (step S608). ).

  The head moving unit 5 or the substrate moving unit 7 relatively moves the head 6 or the substrate 8 to the defective pixel to be ejected of ink based on the head moving signal generated by the head moving signal generating unit (step) S609). After moving the head 6 onto the defective pixel that is the ink ejection target area, the head driving unit 4 turns the nozzle 18 on / off based on the ink ejection pattern generated by the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15. A drive signal is generated and ink is ejected from the nozzle 18 (step S610).

  Next, the control unit 17 determines whether ink has been ejected to all adjacent defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 (step S611). When it is determined in step S611 that there is a defective pixel for which ink has not yet been ejected (No), the processing of steps S605 to S611 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S611 that ink has been ejected to all adjacent defective pixels (Yes), the ink ejection control process is terminated.

  As described above, in the ink discharge control device of the present invention, it is possible to set an appropriate ink discharge amount based on the arrangement of the ink discharge target region, and therefore, it is possible to obtain clear pixels without color unevenness. Thus, a high quality CF panel can be manufactured.

  Further, the embodiment of the ink ejection control device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, that is, a mode for repairing defective pixels generated in the CF panel. The present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of an electroluminescence (EL) display device having a plurality of discharged portions arranged in a matrix or stripe form. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of a back substrate of a plasma display device, and the present invention is also applied to the manufacture of an image display device including an electron-emitting device and the manufacture of wiring. be able to.

  In other words, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the ink ejection control device 1, in particular, the ink ejection area recognition unit 10, the adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11, and the control unit 17 may be configured by hardware logic, or as described below. It may be realized by software using

  That is, the ink ejection control apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the ink ejection control apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions are recorded so as to be readable by a computer Can also be achieved by reading the program code recorded on the recording medium and executing it by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the ink ejection control device 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. In addition, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of wired communication such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control device, It is also possible to use wireless such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

(Other configurations)
In addition, this invention can also be expressed as follows.

(First configuration)
An ink ejection apparatus including a head that is movable relative to a medium and has a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the medium as a nozzle row, wherein the ink ejection apparatus is disposed on the medium. Ink discharge area recognition means for recognizing the shape or size of scattered ink discharge objects, and an adjacent ink object extraction means for extracting ink discharge objects adjacent to the ink discharge object based on the discharge area recognition means, An ink ejecting apparatus, wherein an ejection amount into each ejection region is changed according to the extracted arrangement state of each ink ejection target.

(Second configuration)
The ink discharge device is characterized in that, in the region, the amount of liquid droplets to be discharged is decreased as the ink solvent atmosphere concentration becomes higher, and the amount of liquid droplets to be discharged is increased as the ink solvent atmosphere concentration becomes lower. The ink ejection device according to the first configuration.

(Third configuration)
When the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is inclined so as to be orthogonal to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction) due to the arrangement on the adjacent ink ejection target medium, each nozzle ejecting to the ink ejection target When the number of discharges or the discharge amount is changed and the head is inclined in the same direction with respect to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction), the discharge amount is changed according to the discharge interval from each nozzle. Or the ink discharge apparatus as described in a 2nd structure.

(Fourth configuration)
An ink ejection control method comprising a head that is movable relative to a medium and has a plurality of nozzles that are capable of ejecting ink to the medium as nozzle rows, the ink ejection control method comprising: An ink discharge area recognition step for recognizing the shape or size of the ink discharge target scattered in the medium, and an adjacent ink for extracting an ink discharge target adjacent to the ink discharge target based on the discharge area recognition step An ink ejection control method, comprising an object extraction step, wherein the amount of ejection into each ejection region is changed according to the arrangement state of each extracted ink ejection target.

(Fifth configuration)
The ink discharge control method is characterized in that, in the region, the amount of liquid droplets discharged is reduced toward the higher ink solvent atmosphere concentration, and the amount of liquid droplets discharged is increased toward the lower ink solvent atmosphere concentration. The ink discharge control method according to the first configuration.

(Sixth configuration)
When the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is inclined so as to be orthogonal to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction) due to the arrangement on the adjacent ink ejection target medium, each nozzle ejecting to the ink ejection target When the number of discharges or the discharge amount is changed and the head is inclined in the same direction with respect to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction), the discharge amount is changed according to the discharge interval from each nozzle. Alternatively, the ink ejection control method according to the second configuration.

  The ink ejection control device of the present invention can be applied to repair defective pixels generated in a color filter panel. The ink ejection device of the present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of an electroluminescence (EL) display device having a plurality of ejected portions arranged in a matrix or stripe. Furthermore, the ink discharge control device of the present invention can be applied to the manufacture of a back substrate of a plasma display device, the manufacture of an image display device equipped with electron-emitting devices, and the manufacture of wiring.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an ink ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view showing an appearance of a head provided in an ink discharge portion in one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a substrate on which a head and a CF panel are formed in one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the external appearance. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state in which the ink discharge part in one Embodiment of this invention repairs the defective pixel on CF panel. It is a figure which shows the film thickness shape of the ink when an ink lands on the defective pixel on CF panel. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the discharge amount of the ink discharged from a head when discharging ink to the defective pixel adjacent so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of a head, (b) is a head FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an ejection amount of ink ejected from a head when ejecting ink to a defective pixel adjacent in parallel to the moving direction of the ink; 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of ink ejection control processing by the ink ejection control device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink discharge control apparatus 6 Head (ink discharge means)
8 CF panel (medium)
10 Ink ejection area recognition unit (area information output means)
11 Adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit (adjacent area extraction means)
17 Control unit (control means)
18 Nozzle 25a Defective pixel (first ink ejection area, second ink ejection area)
25b Defective pixel (first ink ejection area, second ink ejection area)
100 Ink ejection device

Claims (9)

The shape and size of the first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection region adjacent to each other, which are extracted based on the first region information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection region on the medium. And based on the second area information representing the position,
A discharge amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is larger than a discharge amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary. An ink discharge control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling a discharge amount of ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region. Area information output means for outputting the first area information;
The ink ejection control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjacent region extraction unit that extracts the second region information from the first region information output by the region information output unit. An ink ejection control device according to claim 1 or 2,
An ink ejection means provided with a plurality of nozzles that are movable relative to the medium and capable of ejecting ink to the medium as nozzle rows;
The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means,
When the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means,
The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary between the first discharge region and the second ink discharge region.
An ink ejection apparatus that controls at least one of an ejection droplet amount and an ejection droplet number of ink ejected to the first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection region. An ink ejection control device according to claim 1 or 2,
An ink ejection means provided with a plurality of nozzles that are movable relative to the medium and capable of ejecting ink to the medium as nozzle rows;
The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means,
When the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other in parallel with the moving direction of the ink discharge means,
The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink.
An ink ejection apparatus that controls an ejection interval of ink ejected to the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area.   The control means is an appropriate amount of ink discharged from a nozzle that discharges ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink discharge means. And the first ink so that at least one of the appropriate amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzles ejecting ink to a position farther from the boundary is larger than at least one of the number of ejected droplets. The ink discharge apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of an appropriate amount of ink discharged to the discharge region and the second ink discharge region and the number of discharged droplets are sequentially changed stepwise.   The control means is based on an ejection interval of ink ejected from nozzles that eject ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink ejection means. In addition, the discharge interval of the ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is set so that the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle discharging the ink to a position farther from the boundary is narrowed. The ink discharge device according to claim 4, wherein the ink discharge device is changed in a stepwise manner. The shape and size of the first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection region adjacent to each other, which are extracted based on the first region information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection region on the medium. And based on the second area information representing the position,
A discharge amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is larger than a discharge amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary. An ink ejection control method comprising a control step of controlling an ejection amount of ink ejected to the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area. An ink discharge control program for operating the ink discharge control device according to claim 1,
An ink discharge control program for causing a computer to function as each means provided in the ink discharge control device.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the ink ejection control program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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