JP2009279757A - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program which are capable of quickly extending image information, even when the arrangement position of a recording head is deviated in the relative movement direction of a recording unit and a recording medium in recording, in the recording unit in which a plurality of recording heads are arranged. <P>SOLUTION: A grouping section 90 extends the image information for showing an image formed by the recording unit in which the plurality of recording heads are arranged in a main scanning direction within a range where a deviation amount in a sub-scanning direction is an allowable deviation amount, so that a plurality of pieces of dot information which are for continuously forming a previously set number of dots in the sub-scanning direction with respect to a nozzle corresponding to a position in the sub-scanning direction between the recording heads and where the ranges of formed dots are overlapped in the main scanning direction in all recording heads are in one and the same group. An extracting section 96 extracts dot information for forming a dot whose deviation amount in the sub-scanning direction is minimum, based on the deviation amount in each group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming program.

In Patent Document 1, in a printer that forms an image by moving an inkjet head in which ink discharge nozzles are two-dimensionally arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of a recording sheet, the storage position is a row address and a column address. When the image data is stored in the memory specified by the memory controller, the memory controller groups the image data for each pixel ejected from the inkjet head substantially simultaneously according to the arrangement of the ink ejection nozzles, so that the row address is A technique is disclosed in which image data is stored in the memory only by changing a column address without changing, and transmission of the image data is accelerated.
JP 2008-30277 A

  In the recording unit in which a plurality of recording heads are arranged, the image information can be obtained even when there is a deviation in the relative movement direction between the plurality of recording heads and the recording medium at the time of recording in the arrangement position of the recording heads. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program capable of rapidly developing the image.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of recording heads in which a plurality of recording portions each forming dots constituting an image on a recording medium are arranged. Recording units arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction within a range of a predetermined allowable deviation amount with respect to a first direction which is a relative movement direction between the recording head and the recording medium. A first storage means in which deviation amount information indicating the deviation amount for each recording head is stored in advance; a second storage means in which image information indicating an image formed by the recording unit is developed; The image information is a plurality of pieces of information for continuously forming a predetermined number of dots in the first direction with respect to the recording unit corresponding to the position in the first direction between the recording heads, and Shaped by the multiple information A developing unit that develops the second storage unit so that the plurality of pieces of information in which at least a part of the range of the dots overlapped in the second direction is in the same group; and the second unit by the developing unit Extraction means for extracting, for each group, information for forming a dot having the smallest deviation amount with respect to the first direction based on the deviation amount indicated by the deviation amount information from the information developed in the storage means. And control means for controlling the recording unit so as to form dots on the recording medium using the information extracted by the extracting means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the developing unit is configured to display the image information on a recording unit corresponding to a position in the first direction between the recording heads. Among the plurality of recording heads, single information for forming one dot on a recording unit of a predetermined single recording head and the recording unit of another recording head are predetermined in the first direction. The second storage means so that a plurality of dots are continuously formed and a plurality of pieces of information overlapping in the second direction with respect to the dots formed by the single information form the same group. The extraction unit extracts the plurality of pieces of information based on the single information and the deviation amount indicated by the deviation amount information for each group from the information developed by the expansion unit. Out of the single information Shift amount with respect to the first direction and is intended to extract the information for forming the smallest dots.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined number is a number corresponding to the allowable deviation amount.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the amount of information grouped at one time by the expanding means is continuously transmitted by burst transfer. This is less than the amount of information that can be stored in the second storage means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the receiving means for receiving an input of the deviation amount and the first storage means are stored. Update means for updating the information on the amount of deviation that has been received to information indicating the amount of deviation accepted by the accepting means.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that a plurality of recording heads in which a plurality of recording portions each forming dots constituting an image on a recording medium are arranged on a computer are recorded. The deviation amount with respect to the first direction, which is the relative movement direction of the plurality of recording heads and the recording medium, in the second direction intersecting the first direction within a predetermined allowable deviation amount range. The image information indicating the image formed by the arranged recording units is recorded with a predetermined number of dots in the first direction with respect to the recording unit corresponding to the position in the first direction between the recording heads. The second storage is such that the plurality of pieces of information that are continuously formed and the plurality of pieces of information in which at least a part of the range of dots formed by the plurality of pieces of information overlaps in the second direction are in the same group. To the means Information for forming a dot having the smallest deviation amount with respect to the first direction based on the deviation amount for each group from the development step to be opened and the information developed in the storage means by the development step. An extraction step of extracting and a control step of controlling the recording unit so as to form dots on the recording medium using the information extracted by the extraction step are executed.

  According to the first and sixth aspects of the invention, in a recording unit in which a plurality of recording heads are arranged, the relative movement direction of the plurality of recording heads and the recording medium during recording at the arrangement position of the recording heads Even when there is a deviation from the above, it has an excellent effect that image information can be quickly developed.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, compared with the case where the present invention is not applied, an excellent effect that the storage capacity required for the second storage means can be further reduced. Have.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, compared to the case where the present invention is not applied, it is possible to group information corresponding to the displacement of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction more reliably. Has an effect.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, compared with the case where the present invention is not applied, the excellent effect that the transfer time of the image information to the second storage means can be further increased. Have

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, it has an excellent effect that the shift amount information can be changed more easily than in the case where the present invention is not applied.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) will be described.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a printer 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The printer 10 includes a recording unit array 12 that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper P. The recording unit array 12 includes a recording unit 14Y corresponding to yellow (Y), a recording unit 14M corresponding to magenta (M), a recording unit 14C corresponding to cyan (C), and a recording unit 14K corresponding to black (K). It has. In the following description, when distinguishing corresponding colors, description is given with any one of Y, M, C, K corresponding to the end of the code, and when not distinguishing corresponding colors, Y, M, C, and K are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of nozzles 40 in which a plurality of (in the present embodiment, twelve) nozzles 40 that form dots on the recording paper P are arranged. The recording head 43 has a predetermined allowable deviation amount with respect to the sub-scanning direction (in this embodiment, the paper conveyance direction), which is the relative movement direction of the recording unit 14 and the recording paper P during recording. Within the range, they are arranged in the main scanning direction (direction intersecting the paper transport direction).

  It should be noted that the recording unit 14 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of widths in the main scanning direction equal to or larger than the width of the recording paper P so that an image can be collectively formed with respect to the entire width of the recording paper P ( For example, 20 recording heads 43 are arranged. In the following description, it is assumed that the recording unit 14 includes three recording heads 43 in order to avoid complications.

  In addition, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment applies four stages of large droplets, medium droplets, small droplets, and no (no droplets) as the size of the droplets discharged from the nozzles 40, but is not limited thereto. For example, a droplet having a size of three stages such as a large droplet, a small droplet, and no (no droplet) or a size of five or more stages may be applied.

  In addition, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment predetermines the reference recording head 43 as the deviation amount, and applies the deviation amount with respect to the reference recording head 43, but is not limited thereto. A deviation amount with respect to a predetermined reference position (for example, the upper left corner point of the recording unit 14) may be applied.

  Further, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment has ± 2 dots (+ indicates that the recording head 43 is shifted to the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction) with respect to the reference recording head 43 as the allowable deviation amount. -Indicates that the recording head 43 is shifted downstream in the sub-scanning direction.) Is applied, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.

  In particular, the recording unit 14 according to the present embodiment is divided into a nozzle group 42 in which 12 nozzles 40 are a set of 6 nozzles, and the intervals between the nozzles 40 adjacent in the sub-scanning direction are substantially the same. And with a predetermined angle with respect to the main scanning direction. Therefore, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the droplets of the nozzles 40 that are deviated from the arrangement position of the nozzles 40 on the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “head position”) in the recording head 43. Is delayed, and an image is formed on the recording paper P conveyed to the image forming position by the recording unit 14.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the nozzle group 42 included in the recording head 43 is two sets, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one set or three or more sets may be used. Further, although the number of nozzles 40 constituting the nozzle group 42 is six, it is needless to say that the number is not limited thereto.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is loaded with ink cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K that store corresponding Y, M, C, and K ink liquids. The ink liquid stored in the cartridge is supplied to the corresponding recording unit 14 through a pipe (not shown).

  Further, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, a maintenance unit 15 that performs maintenance such as cleaning of a nozzle surface provided with the nozzle 40 in each recording unit 14 and suction recovery operation when ink clogging occurs. Is provided corresponding to each recording unit 14.

  The printer 10 according to the present embodiment, when forming an image on the recording paper P, arranges the maintenance units 15 on both sides of the recording unit array 12 as shown in FIG. Moves the maintenance unit 15 to a position facing each nozzle 40 of the recording unit array 12.

  The printer 10 also includes a paper feed tray 18 that stores the recording paper P. The recording paper P supplied from the paper feed tray 18 is conveyed to a position facing the recording unit array 12 by a plurality of roller pairs 20.

  An endless transport belt 24 wound around rollers 22A and 22B and a tension roller 23 is provided at a position facing the recording unit array 12. The conveyor belt 24 is given a predetermined tension by being pulled downward by a tension roller 23. Further, the conveyor belt 24 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the rollers 22A and 22B and the tension roller 23.

  A charging roll 26 is provided at a position facing the roller 22B, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the charging roll 26. The recording paper P transported by the plurality of roller pairs 20 is charged by being sandwiched between the charging roll 26 and the transport belt 24 and is attracted to the surface of the transport belt 24. The image is conveyed to a position facing the recording unit array 12 and an image is formed by the recording unit array 12.

  A plurality of discharge rollers 30 are provided on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 24 in the sheet conveyance direction, and the recording sheet P on which an image is formed by the recording unit array 12 is conveyed by the plurality of discharge rollers 30 and discharged. It is discharged to the tray 32.

  In addition, the printer 10 includes a reverse path 33. The reversing path 33 is configured to include a plurality of roller pairs 35, and the recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side by the recording unit array 12 is reversed again by the reversing path 33, so The images are conveyed to opposite positions and images are formed on both sides.

  FIG. 3 shows the main configuration of the electrical system of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The printer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50 that controls the overall operation of the printer 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 in which various control programs, various parameters, various table information, and the like are stored in advance, and various programs executed by the CPU 50. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 54 used as a work area at the time is provided. In addition, the printer 10 includes a recording unit controller 56 that controls driving of each recording unit 14 based on image information indicating an image to be formed on the recording paper P, each roller pair 20, each discharge roller 30, and rollers 22A and 22B. Information that includes the image information from the terminal device is connected to an external terminal device via a communication network (not shown), a conveyance control unit 58 that controls the conveyance of the recording paper P by controlling a motor (not shown) that rotates and the like. And an operation unit 62 having various keys such as a numeric keypad for the user to input various instructions.

  The CPU 50, ROM 52, RAM 54, recording unit control unit 56, transport control unit 58, external interface 60, and operation unit 62 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 64. Accordingly, the CPU 50 accesses the ROM 52 and the RAM 54, controls the operations of the recording unit controller 56 and the transport controller 58, sends and receives various information to and from the terminal device via the external interface 60, and determines the operation status of the operation unit 62. Each can be grasped.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the recording unit controller 56 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the recording unit control unit 56 according to the present embodiment includes an image conversion unit 70, a color conversion unit 72, an image processing unit 74, a data rearrangement processing unit 76, a page memory 78, and a recording unit drive. Part 80 is provided.

  When image information in the PDL (Page Description Language) format, for example, is received from an external terminal device via the external interface 60, the image conversion unit 70 analyzes the image information and converts it into image information of a raster image. A conversion process for conversion is performed. As a result, the image information is converted into bit map format image information.

  The color conversion unit 72 converts the color space of the bit map format image information obtained by the image conversion unit 70 from, for example, an R (red) G (green) B (blue) color space to a YMCK color space. Γ correction processing is performed on the image information.

  The image processing unit 74 performs screen processing such as dither processing on the image information that has been subjected to the γ correction processing by the color conversion unit 72, and the nozzle 40 included in the recording unit 14 having a lower gradation than the original image information. The image information is converted into gradation-recordable image information with the ejected droplets. The image information converted by the screen processing is configured by information for causing the nozzle 40 to form dots (hereinafter referred to as “dot information”).

  The data rearrangement processing unit 76 rearranges (hereinafter referred to as “development”) the image information whose gradation has been reduced by the image processing unit 74 according to the arrangement of the nozzles 40 of the recording unit 14, and the page memory 78. Remember me.

  The page memory 78 stores the image information developed by the data rearrangement processing unit 76. In the present embodiment, the RAM is applied as the page memory 78, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other storage media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be applied.

  The recording unit drive unit 80 controls the recording unit array 12 to form dots on the recording paper P based on the image information developed by the data rearrangement processing unit 76 and stored in the page memory 78.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the data rearrangement processing unit 76 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the data rearrangement processing unit 76 according to the present embodiment includes a delay information storage unit 84, a deviation amount information storage unit 86, and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of line buffers 88A to 88A. 88E, a grouping unit 90, a write control unit 92, a read control unit 94, and an extraction unit 96.

  The delay information storage unit 84 stores in advance delay amount information indicating the delay amount of the timing of ejecting the droplets for each nozzle 40 described above. In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the delay amount obtained from the design value of the recording head 43 is applied as the delay amount.

  The shift amount information storage unit 86 stores in advance shift amount information indicating the shift amount in the sub-scanning direction of each recording head 43 described above. In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the amount of deviation obtained by visually confirming each recording head 43 after the recording head 43 is attached to the recording unit 14 is applied as the amount of deviation.

  The line buffers 88 </ b> A to 88 </ b> E store each dot information constituting the image information subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 74 for each line.

  The grouping unit 90 uses the dot information stored in the line buffers 88 </ b> A to 88 </ b> E for the nozzles 40 of a single recording head 43 that are determined in advance for the nozzles 40 whose positions in the sub-scanning direction correspond between the recording heads 43. A single dot information for forming one dot in a single dot and a predetermined number of dots in the sub-scanning direction are continuously formed by the nozzles 40 of the other recording heads 43 and formed by the single dot information. A plurality of dot information overlapping in the main scanning direction with respect to the dots to be formed are grouped in the same group, and are grouped via a write control unit 92 interposed between the grouping unit 90 and the page memory 78. The dot information is sequentially written in a predetermined storage area of the page memory 78, and the image information is developed (hereinafter referred to as a development process).

  The nozzles 40 corresponding to the positions in the sub-scanning direction between the recording heads 43 have the same delay amount as described above. Therefore, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the nozzles corresponding to the positions in the sub-scanning direction are the same. 40, nozzles 40 having the same delay amount are applied.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the number corresponding to the above-described allowable deviation amount is applied as the predetermined number. In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, since the allowable deviation amount is ± 2, the dots formed by the single dot information and the dots formed by the plurality of dot information are in the main scanning direction. The predetermined number is set to 5 so as to overlap.

  Further, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the dot information grouped by the grouping unit 90 is transferred to the page memory 78 via the write control unit 92 by burst transfer. For this reason, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the amount of information grouped at one time by the grouping unit 90 is less than or equal to the amount of information that can be stored in the page memory 78 by one burst transfer. However, the amount of information to be grouped may not be equal to or less than the amount of information that can be stored at one time by burst transfer.

  Note that the printer 10 according to the present embodiment employs 512 bits as the amount of information that can be stored in the page memory 78 by one burst transfer. In this case, since the printer 10 according to the present embodiment has four levels of droplets ejected from the nozzles 40 as described above, the dot information is 2 bits and the nozzle group provided in the recording head 43. Since there are two sets of 42 and the number of recording heads 43 is three, the number of lines of dot information corresponding to the amount of information that can be stored in the page memory 78 by one burst transfer is approximately 40 (= 512). ÷ (2 × 2 × 3)).

  Therefore, 5 applied as the predetermined number corresponds to 5 lines of dot information, and thus the information amount grouped at once by the grouping unit 90 is stored in the page memory 78 by one burst transfer. Satisfy the condition that the amount of information is less than or equal to the amount of information that can be generated.

  The read control unit 94 is interposed between the page memory 78 and the extraction unit 96, reads the dot information stored in the page memory 78 for each grouped dot information, and transfers it to the extraction unit 96.

  Based on the single dot information and the shift amount indicated by the shift amount information for each group, the extraction unit 96 selects a single piece of dot information from the dot information developed in the page memory 78. Dot information for forming a dot having the smallest deviation amount in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the dot information (hereinafter referred to as “extraction process”), and the extracted dot information is transferred to the recording unit driving unit 80. To do.

  When the recording unit driving unit 80 receives the dot information extracted by the extraction unit 96, the recording unit driving unit 80 controls the recording unit array 12 to form dots on the recording paper P using the extracted dot information.

  Next, image information expansion processing by the grouping unit 90 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As described above, the recording unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes three recording heads 43 each including 12 nozzles 40 as schematically illustrated in FIG. Street.

  In the figure, X1, X2, and X3 are identifiers individually indicating the recording heads 43 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “identifier X”). In addition, A1, A2,..., A6, B1, B2,..., B6 are identifiers individually indicating the nozzles 40 included in the nozzle group 42 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “identifier M”). 1, 2,... Are identifiers (hereinafter collectively referred to as “identifier L”) that individually indicate the positions of the nozzles 40 in the sub-scanning direction.

  Further, as described above, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment forms an image by delaying the ejection timing of the droplets of the nozzle 40 that is shifted from the head position in the sub-scanning direction.

  For this reason, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, delay information indicating the delay amount for each nozzle 40 shown in the following Table 1 is stored in advance in the delay information storage unit 84 as an example.

一方、図６（Ｂ）に、展開対象とする画像情報を、上記遅延量を考慮せずにビット・マップ形式でページメモリ７８に展開した状態を示す。

On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a state in which image information to be expanded is expanded in the page memory 78 in the bit map format without considering the delay amount.

  In the figure, x1 is an identifier indicating dot information indicating a dot formed by the recording head 43 having the identifier X1, and x2 is an identifier indicating dot information indicating the dot formed by the recording head 43 having the identifier X2. X3 is an identifier indicating dot information indicating a dot formed by the recording head 43 having the identifier X3 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “identifier x”). In addition, a1, a2,..., A6, b1, b2,..., B6 are dots indicated by the identifier x with respect to the direction (column direction) corresponding to the main scanning direction in the memory space of the page memory 78. .., N is a direction (row direction) corresponding to the sub-scanning direction in the memory space. ) Is an identifier that individually indicates a storage position of dot information (hereinafter collectively referred to as “identifier I”).

  In addition, “◯”, “Δ”, “□”, “●”, “▲”, “■” in FIG. 6B indicate dot information, and the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount correspond to each other. Dot information is indicated by the same symbol.

  Here, the identifier X and the identifier x and the identifier M and the identifier m are in a one-to-one correspondence. For example, the nozzle 40 indicated by the identifier X1 and the identifier A1 is stored in the identifier x1 and the identifier a1. Dots are formed on the recording paper P using the dot information stored at the positions in the order of identifiers 1, 2, 3,... N.

  Conventionally, when image information is developed in the page memory 78 in consideration of the delay amount, as shown in FIG. 6C, corresponding dot information is grouped for each nozzle 40 having the same delay amount. It was.

  However, as shown in FIG. 7A, the recording head 43 may be displaced in the sub-scanning direction. In the example shown in the figure, the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X1 is not displaced, and the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X2 is displaced by +2 dots in the sub-scanning direction, and is indicated by the identifier X3. The recording head 43 is displaced by +1 dot in the sub-scanning direction. Although the deviation of the recording head 43 in the sub-scanning direction is not necessarily an integer multiple of dots, in the following, in order to avoid complications, the deviation of the recording head 43 in the sub-scanning direction is caused by an integer multiple of dots. An explanation will be given.

  In this case, in the conventional development processing, the dot information grouped as shown in FIG. 6C is again changed according to the amount of deviation in the sub-scanning direction for each recording head 43 as shown in FIG. They needed to be grouped, and the deployment process took time.

  Therefore, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, as the expansion process, the grouping unit 90 performs the grouping and expands the grouped dot information in the page memory 78, thereby reducing the time required for the expansion process. Like to do. Then, the dot information developed in the page memory 78 by the read control unit 94 is read for each group, and the extraction process is executed by the extraction unit 96.

  In the development processing according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 as an example, the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X1 is transmitted from the line buffers 88A to 88E to the nozzle 40 having the same delay amount between the recording heads 43. 5 dots are continuously formed in the sub-scanning direction by the single dot information indicated by the identifier x1 for forming one dot on the nozzle 40 and the nozzle 40 of the recording head 43 indicated by the identifiers X2 and X3, and For the dots formed by the single dot information, five dot information indicated by identifiers x2 and x3 overlapping in the main scanning direction are read, and the read dot information is grouped. Then, the grouped dot information is transferred to the page memory 78 via the writing control unit 92 and stored in a predetermined storage area of the page memory 78 in the grouped order.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the five dot information is five pieces of dot information within the range of identifiers i−2 to i + 2, where i is the identifier I of single dot information. However, among the five dot information to be grouped with the single dot information indicated by identifier 1, there is no dot information indicated by identifiers -1, 0. For this reason, grouping is executed using a value (0 in this embodiment) that does not form a dot on the recording paper P as the dot information indicated by the identifiers -1, 0.

  Of the dot information to be grouped with the single dot information indicated by the identifier 2, the dot information indicated by the identifier 0 uses a value that does not form a dot on the recording paper P (in this embodiment, 0). Perform grouping. Similarly, a plurality of dot information to be grouped with the single dot information indicated by the identifiers n−1 and n is also grouped using a value (0 in the present embodiment) that does not form a dot on the recording paper P. Execute the conversion.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the dot information indicated by the identifier x1 is applied as the single dot information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and dot information indicated by another identifier x is applied. May be.

  Next, extraction processing executed by the extraction unit 96 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9A shows the shift amount of the recording head 43 that forms the image indicated by the image information. If the reference recording head 43 is the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X1, the deviation amount of the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X2 is +1 dot, and the deviation amount of the recording head indicated by the identifier X3 is −1 dot.

  In the extraction processing according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, single dot information indicated by the identifier x1 is extracted for each group from the dot information developed in the page memory 78, and the above-described figure. Based on the shift amount shown in 9 (A), the dot information forming the dot with the smallest shift amount in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the single dot information is used as the dot information from the dot information shown by the identifier x2. The dot information whose identifier I is one larger than the dot information of the first dot information is extracted, and the dot information whose identifier I is one smaller than the single dot information is extracted from the dot information indicated by the identifier x3.

  The processing by the grouping unit 90, the write control unit 92, the read control unit 94, and the extraction unit 96 of the data rearrangement processing unit 76 configured as described above uses a computer by executing a program. Can be realized by software configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to realization by a software configuration, and needless to say, it can also be realized by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

  Below, the case where CPU50 which concerns on this Embodiment implement | achieves the process by said each component by executing the expansion | deployment processing program and extraction processing program which are mentioned later is demonstrated. In this case, the expansion processing program and the extraction processing program are installed in advance in the ROM 52 or other storage medium, or provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium, wired or wireless communication means It is possible to apply a form or the like distributed via the Internet.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation of the printer 10 when executing the above expansion processing will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the expansion processing program executed by the CPU 50 when executing the expansion processing.

  First, in step 100, delay information for each nozzle 40 is read from the delay information storage unit 84.

  In the next step 102, dot information for a predetermined line (here, five lines to be grouped) of the dot information constituting the image information subjected to gradation reduction by the image processing unit 74 is stored in the line buffer. Wait until it is stored in 88A-88E.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, dot information for each line is transferred to the line buffers 88A to 88E by the image processing unit 74.

  In the next step 104, single dot information and a plurality of dot information to be grouped with the single dot information are related to the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount indicated by the delay information from the line buffers 88A to 88E. And the grouping in the above-described development process is executed.

  In the next step 106, the grouped dot information is transferred to the page memory 78 via the write control unit 92. The grouped dot information is transferred to the page memory 78 and stored in a predetermined storage area of the page memory 78 in the grouped order.

  In the next step 108, it is determined whether or not the grouping for predetermined dot information, which will be described later, stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E is completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104. On the other hand, when the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 110.

  When the processing from step 104 to step 108 is repeatedly executed, grouping is executed for the single dot information that has not been grouped so far.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the grouping has been completed for all the dot information constituting the image information. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, the image processing unit 74 moves the dot information for one line stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E to the upper line buffer, and then transfers the line information to the line buffer 88E from the image processing unit 74. After waiting until the dot information for one line is stored, the process proceeds to step 104.

  In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, when the processing from step 104 to step 112 is repeatedly executed, the predetermined dot information applied in step 108 is the identifier x1 stored in the line buffer 88A and the identifier x1. Single dot information indicated by identifier 1, single dot information indicated by identifier x1 and identifier 2 stored in line buffer 88B, and identifier x1 and identifier 3 stored in line buffer 88C After the single dot information is set and grouping for each single dot information is executed, the movement of the dot information stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E is executed by the process of step 112. Thereafter, the predetermined dot information is set as single dot information indicated by the identifier x1 stored in the line buffer 88C, and each time grouping for the single dot information is executed, step 112 is performed. The movement of the dot information stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E is executed by the processing.

  Further, after the predetermined dot information is a single dot indicated by the identifier x1 and the identifier n-2 and the grouping for the single dot information is executed, at this point, the image processing unit Since all the dot information constituting the image information subjected to the image processing in 74 is stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E, the predetermined dot information is obtained in step 108 without executing the processing in step 112 thereafter. , The single dot information indicated by the identifier x1 and the identifier n-1, and the single dot information indicated by the identifier x1 and the identifier n, and grouping for the single dot information is executed.

  When a series of the above grouping is completed, an affirmative determination is made in step 110, and this program is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 when executing the extraction process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the extraction process program executed by the CPU 50 when the extraction process is executed.

  First, in step 200, the shift amount information for the recording head 43 in the sub-scanning direction is read from the shift amount information storage unit 86.

  In the next step 202, dot information for one group is read from the page memory 78 in the grouped order via the read control unit 94.

  In the next step 204, the extraction process described above is executed based on the deviation amount indicated by the deviation amount information.

  In the next step 206, the dot information extracted by the extraction process is transferred to the recording unit drive unit 80.

  In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not the extraction process has been completed for all the grouped dot information stored in the page memory 78. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 202 and the extraction process is completed. The grouped dot information that has not been executed is read in the order stored in the page memory 78, and the processing of steps 202 to 208 is repeated until the extraction processing is completed for all the grouped dot information.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 208 is affirmative, this program ends.
(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a process in which a plurality of pieces of dot information overlapping in the main scanning direction form the same group is applied to the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount as the development process.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the data rearrangement processing unit 76 according to the second exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The grouping unit 90 ′ uses the dot information stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E as a plurality of dot information for continuously forming a predetermined number of dots in the sub-scanning direction for the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount. In addition, a plurality of dot information in which at least a part of a range of dots formed by the plurality of dot information overlaps in the main scanning direction is grouped via the writing control unit 92. By sequentially writing dot information to the storage area in the page memory 78, the image information is developed (hereinafter referred to as “second development process”).

  The extraction unit 96 ′ extracts, from the dot information developed in the page memory 78, dot information with the smallest deviation amount in the sub-scanning direction based on the deviation amount indicated by the deviation amount information for each group (hereinafter referred to as “below”). , “Second extraction process”), and the extracted dot information is transferred to the recording unit driving unit 80.

  Next, the expansion process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the development process according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, with respect to the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount, a plurality of dots having the same identifier I for continuously forming five dots in the sub-scanning direction. Information is grouped and stored in the page memory 78 through the write control unit 92 in the order of grouping.

  Next, the second extraction process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14A shows the shift amount of the recording head 43 that forms the image indicated by the image information. Assuming that the reference recording head 43 is the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X2, the deviation amount of the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X1 is +1 dot, and the deviation amount of the recording head indicated by the identifier X3 is −1 dot.

  In the second extraction process according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14B, the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X2 is used as a reference for each group from the dot information developed in the page memory 78. In the five dot information indicated by the identifier x2, dot information whose identifier I is a median value (hereinafter referred to as “reference dot information”) is extracted, and based on the deviation amount shown in FIG. In the dot information indicated by the identifier x1, dot information whose identifier I is one larger than the identifier I of the reference dot information is extracted, and among the dot information indicated by the identifier x3, the identifier I is 1 higher than the identifier I of the reference dot information. Extract small dot information.

  In the printer 10 according to the second embodiment, the recording head 43 indicated by the identifier X2 is applied as the reference recording head 43. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the recording head indicated by another identifier X is used. 43 may be applied.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  First, the operation of the printer 10 when the data rearrangement processing unit 76 executes the second expansion process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the expansion processing program executed by the CPU 50 when executing the second expansion processing. Note that the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In step 104 ′, the dot information of a predetermined row to be grouped is read from the line buffers 88A to 88E with respect to the nozzles 40 having the same delay amount indicated by the delay information, and in the second development process described above. Perform grouping.

  In the next step 106 ′, the dot information grouped by the processing in step 104 ′ is transferred to the page memory 78 via the write control unit 92. The grouped dot information is transferred to the page memory 78 and stored in a predetermined storage area of the page memory 78 in the grouped order.

  In the next step 108 ′, it is determined whether or not the grouping for the dot information of a predetermined line, which will be described later, stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E is completed. While returning to 104 ', the routine proceeds to step 110 when an affirmative determination is made.

  In the printer 10 according to the second embodiment, when the processing from step 104 to step 112 is repeatedly executed, the predetermined line applied in step 108 ′ is stored in the line buffer 88A to line buffer 88C. The line indicated by identifier 1 to identifier 3 being stored, the line indicated by identifier 1 to identifier 4 being stored in line buffer 88A to line buffer 88D, and the identifier 1 being stored in line buffer 88A to line buffer 88E Execute the movement of the dot information stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E by the process of step 112 after executing the grouping for the dot information of the predetermined line as the target indicated by the identifier 5. . Thereafter, the predetermined line is set to five lines stored in the line buffer 88A to the line buffer 88E, and the line buffer is processed by the process of step 112 every time the grouping for the dot information of the predetermined line is executed. The movement of the dot information stored in 88A to 88E is executed.

  Further, the dot information of the predetermined line is set as the dot information of the line indicated by the identifier n-4 to the identifier n, and after performing the grouping for the dot information of the predetermined line, at this time, Since all the dot information constituting the image information subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 74 is stored in the line buffers 88A to 88E, the predetermined processing is performed in step 108 ′ without executing the processing in step 112 thereafter. Are the lines indicated by identifier n-3 to identifier n and the lines indicated by identifier n-2 to identifier n, and the grouping for the dot information of these predetermined lines is executed.

  When a series of the above grouping is completed, an affirmative determination is made in step 110, and this program is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 when executing the second extraction process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the extraction process program executed by the CPU 50 when the second extraction process is executed. Note that the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 11 according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the next step 204 ′, the above-described second extraction process is executed based on the deviation amount read in step 200.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using said each embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in each said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which the modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In addition, each of the above embodiments does not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. Is not limited. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above embodiments, the configuration from which these several constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention as long as the effect is obtained.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting liquid droplets from a plurality of nozzles has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, For example, as an embodiment applied to an electrophotographic printer using an LED as a recording unit of a recording head, or a printer that uses thermal paper as a recording medium and uses a heat generating unit as a recording unit of the recording head to form dots on thermal paper. Also good.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the shift amount information indicating the shift amount for each recording head 43 is stored in advance in the shift amount information storage unit 86 has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, for example, when the recording unit 14 is replaced or when the maintenance of the printer 10 is performed, the operation unit 62 is operated to receive an input of the shift amount, and the CPU 50 stores the shift amount information in the shift amount information storage unit 86. The stored shift amount information may be updated to shift amount information indicating the shift amount received by the operation unit 62.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the dot information constituting the image information subjected to gradation reduction by the image processing unit 74 is stored for each row in the line buffers 88A to 88E, and grouped by the stored dot information. Although the case of executing is described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dot information constituting the image information from the image processing unit 74 is grouped by a grouping unit 90 every predetermined number of rows (for example, 5 rows). May be read. In the case of this form, when the grouping is completed for the predetermined number of rows of dot information, a storage area in which the dot information is stored in the image processing unit 74 in order to read the next predetermined number of rows of dot information The dot information to be read is changed by moving the pointer indicating.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the grouping unit 90, the write control unit 92, the read control unit 94, and the extraction unit 96 of the data rearrangement processing unit 76 are realized by software configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration using a functional element that executes the same processing as the software configuration may be employed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the arrangement of the nozzles 40 in the recording unit 14 is configured as shown in FIG. 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the recording shown in FIG. As in the unit 14 ′, the nozzles 40 may be arranged in such a manner that the angles of the nozzle group 42 with respect to the main scanning direction are alternately reversed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the recording unit 14 is fixed and dots are formed on the recording paper P conveyed in the sub-scanning direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 18, the recording unit 14 ′ may reciprocate in the main scanning direction to form dots on the recording paper P conveyed in the sub scanning direction.

  The recording unit 14 ′ according to the above embodiment includes an insertion hole, and the guide rail 300 arranged in parallel to the main scanning direction is inserted through the insertion hole. Note that the recording unit 14 ′ does not need to have a plurality of recording heads 43 arranged more than the width of the recording paper P, unlike the recording unit 14 according to each of the above embodiments.

  Further, the recording unit 14 ′ includes a belt connection portion 302, and is connected to the carriage belt 304 arranged in parallel with the main scanning direction.

  The carriage belt 304 is wound around a main pulley 306A and a driven pulley 306B. The main driving pulley 306A is mechanically connected to the rotation shaft of the carriage motor 308, and forward rotation (in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 18) and reverse rotation (arrow shown in FIG. 18) of the rotation shaft of the carriage motor 308. Rotate forward and backward according to (B direction). For this reason, the carriage belt 304 rotates in accordance with the forward and reverse rotations of the rotation shaft of the carriage motor 308, whereby the recording unit 14 ′ reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 300.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the recording unit 14 is fixed and dots are formed on the recording paper P conveyed in the sub-scanning direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and recording is performed. The unit 14 may be transported in the sub-scanning direction to form dots on the fixed recording paper P.

  In addition, the configuration of the printer 10 described in each of the above embodiments (see FIGS. 1 to 5 and 12) is an example, and unnecessary portions may be deleted or newly added without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, you can add new parts.

  Further, the processing flow (see FIGS. 10, 11, 15, and 16) of the expansion processing program and the extraction processing program described in each of the above embodiments is an example, and does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, unnecessary steps can be deleted, new steps can be added, and the processing order can be changed.

1 is a cutaway side view illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an electrical system of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording unit control unit according to the first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional image information expansion process. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional image information expansion process. It is a schematic diagram with which it uses for description of the expansion | deployment process of the image information by the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram with which it uses for description of the extraction process of the dot information by the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the expansion | deployment processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the extraction process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram with which it uses for description of the expansion | deployment process of the image information by the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram with which it uses for description of the extraction process of the dot information by the data rearrangement process part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the expansion | deployment processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the extraction process program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of a recording unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the configuration of a printer.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer 14 Recording unit 40 Nozzle (Recording unit)
43 recording head 50 CPU (update means)
62 Operation part (reception means)
78 page memory (second storage means)
80 Recording unit drive (control means)
86 Deviation amount information storage unit (first storage means)
90 Grouping part (deployment means)
96 Extraction unit (extraction means)

Claims (6)

A plurality of recording heads in which a plurality of recording units for forming dots constituting each image on the recording medium are arranged is a first direction that is a relative movement direction of the plurality of recording heads and the recording medium during recording Recording units arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction within a predetermined allowable deviation range with respect to
First storage means in which shift amount information indicating the shift amount for each recording head is stored in advance;
Second storage means for developing image information indicating an image formed by the recording unit;
The image information is a plurality of pieces of information for continuously forming a predetermined number of dots in the first direction with respect to the recording unit corresponding to the position in the first direction between the recording heads, and A developing unit that develops the second storage unit so that the plurality of pieces of information in which at least a part of a range of dots formed by the plurality of pieces of information overlaps the second direction are in the same group;
Based on the deviation amount indicated by the deviation amount information, a dot having the smallest deviation amount with respect to the first direction is formed for each group from the information developed in the second storage unit by the development unit. Extracting means for extracting information for
Control means for controlling the recording unit to form dots on the recording medium using information extracted by the extracting means;
An image forming apparatus. The developing means is a recording unit of a single recording head that is predetermined among the plurality of recording heads with respect to the recording unit corresponding to the position in the first direction between the recording heads. A single information for forming one dot on the other and a predetermined number of dots in the first direction are continuously formed by the recording unit of the other recording head and formed by the single information. A plurality of pieces of information overlapping in the second direction with respect to the dots to be developed in the second storage means so as to form the same group,
The extraction unit is configured to extract the single information out of the plurality of pieces of information based on the single information and the shift amount indicated by the shift amount information for each group from the information expanded by the expansion unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information for forming a dot having the smallest deviation amount with respect to the first direction with respect to one information is extracted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is a number corresponding to the allowable deviation amount.   4. The amount of information grouped at one time by the expansion unit is equal to or less than the amount of information that can be continuously stored in the second storage unit by burst transfer. 5. Image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving an input of the deviation amount;
Updating means for updating the deviation amount information stored in the first storage means to information indicating the deviation amount received by the reception means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: On the computer,
A plurality of recording heads in which a plurality of recording units for forming dots constituting each image on the recording medium are arranged is a first direction that is a relative movement direction of the plurality of recording heads and the recording medium during recording The image information indicating the image formed by the recording units arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction within a range of the predetermined allowable deviation amount with respect to the image information between the recording heads. A plurality of information for continuously forming a predetermined number of dots in the first direction with respect to the recording unit corresponding to the position in the first direction, and a range of dots formed by the plurality of information Expanding in the second storage means so that the plurality of pieces of information in which at least a part of the information overlaps in the second direction are in the same group;
An extraction step for extracting information for forming a dot having the smallest deviation amount with respect to the first direction based on the deviation amount for each group from the information developed in the storage unit by the development step;
A control step of controlling the recording unit to form dots on the recording medium using the information extracted by the extraction step;
An image forming program for executing

Images