JPH1170720A - Test dot recording method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately end automatically adjust dot recording timing by a test pattern and a machine in a printer capable of performing bidirectional recording. SOLUTION: The shift of dots formed at a time of a carriage advance process and dots formed at a time of a carriage return process is adjusted by using a test pattern by moire fringes (c). This test pattern is the moire fringes (c) formed by superposing inspection lines (a) provided at an equal interval in a sub-scanning direction on reference lines (b) having an angle in the sub- scanning direction and provided at an equal interval. When dot recording timing is shifted, the width of the moire fringes is changed by shift quantity and change quantity is expanded with respect to the shift quantity. The shift of dot recording timing can be easily and accurately adjusted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for forming dots on a recording medium and recording an image during a reciprocating bidirectional operation of a dot recording head, and more particularly to a technique for forming test dots using the recording apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus which performs recording while a dot recording head reciprocates in a main scanning direction and scans a recording medium in a sub scanning direction. In such a printer, to improve the recording speed,
Many dot recording heads have a plurality of nozzles (hereinafter, referred to as a multi-head). Many printers capable of color printing have the above-described multi-head for each color ink.

[0003] In such a printer, in order to further improve the recording speed, there is a printer in which dots are formed not only during the forward stroke of the dot recording head in the main scanning direction but also during the return stroke. In this case, a good image can be recorded if the dots formed during the return stroke are formed at positions shifted from the positions where they should be originally formed in relation to the dots formed during the forward stroke. Will not be. This phenomenon is caused by various factors, for example, play (backlash) required for the driving mechanism of the printer, but may also be caused by a difference in thickness of paper as a recording medium.

FIG. 10 shows how recording dots are shifted depending on the thickness of paper. As shown in FIG. 9A, a case is considered in which a dot dt11 is formed on the paper PA1 in a forward pass, and a dot dt12 is formed next to the dot dt12 in a return pass. At this time, the nozzles Nz fire the ink droplets lk11 and lk12 at the positions shown in FIG. 9A in consideration of the speeds in the forward stroke and the return stroke, respectively. These land at the target positions by drawing the trajectory shown in FIG.
The dots dt11 and dt12 are formed.

On the other hand, FIG. 9B shows a state in which the paper is changed to a thick paper. In this case, the distance between the nozzle Nz and the paper PA2 is the nozzle Nz in FIG.
Is smaller than the distance between the sheet and the sheet PA1. Therefore,
If it is assumed that ink droplets are fired at the same timing as in the case of FIG.
1 and lk22 land on the trajectory shown in FIG. 9B to form dots dt21 and dt22. As a result, the formed dots are not adjacent to each other, and an image to be originally recorded cannot be obtained. In order to obtain an image to be originally recorded, it is necessary to delay the ink ejection timing in the return stroke from the timing shown in FIG.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned deviation, a predetermined test pattern is recorded by changing the dot recording timings in the forward path and the backward path in various ways, and the timing at which the best recording result is obtained is selected. A method of adjusting recording timing is employed.

In consideration of the above-mentioned causes and the like, adjustment of the dot recording timing may be performed not only at the time of shipping the printer but also by a user of the printer.

Conventionally, a linear test pattern shown in FIG. 10 has been used as the test pattern. With respect to each line shown in FIG. 10, the upper half is recorded in the forward stroke, and the lower half is recorded in the return stroke. By changing the dot recording timing to various timings, a line is formed in which the positional relationship between the upper half and the lower half has variously changed as shown in FIGS. FIG. 10C shows a good image in which the upper half and the lower half have no relative displacement, so that the timing corresponding to FIG. 10C may be selected as the dot recording timing.

Further, a method of recording a test pattern in which a certain area is filled with dots when recorded at an appropriate timing, that is, a so-called solid paint state has been proposed (JP-A-7-81190). ). In this test pattern, when the dot recording timing is shifted from an appropriate timing, a white streak in which no dot is formed appears in an area to be solid-painted. Therefore, the adjustment can be made by selecting a dot recording timing at which such a streak does not appear.

[0010]

However, with a linear test pattern as shown in FIG. 10, there is a problem that the dot recording timing cannot be adjusted sufficiently. FIG. 10 shows the test pattern in an enlarged manner for convenience of explanation, but is actually formed by one row of dots, and FIG. 10 (b) or FIG. 10 (d) and FIG.
It is very difficult to determine (c). In particular, since the user of the printer does not usually see the test pattern, the above-described determination has been more difficult. In a recent printer with higher resolution, if the dot recording timing cannot be adjusted with high accuracy, there is a possibility that a good image cannot be recorded.

Further, even in a test pattern in which a certain area is solid-painted, the dot recording timing cannot be sufficiently adjusted in some cases. In other words, since the white streaks are very fine, discrimination sometimes becomes difficult due to bleeding when ink lands on the paper. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems in the related art, and proposes a technique of forming a test pattern that can appropriately adjust dot recording timing in a forward pass and a return pass. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of automatically adjusting by a machine.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus of the present invention uses a dot recording head to form dots on the surface of a recording medium to record an image. In the apparatus, a main scanning drive unit that drives at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium to perform a main scan including a reciprocating stroke of the dot recording head, and a direction that intersects a direction in which the main scanning is performed. Sub-scanning driving means for feeding at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium; head driving means for driving the dot recording head to form dots during the main scanning movement; The head is formed so as to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. The interval between the forward path test pattern forming unit that controls the driving unit and each dot formed by the outward path test pattern forming unit during the return stroke of the main scanning is the first distance in the main scanning direction. A timing for forming an inspection line consisting of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the condition of about half of the predetermined interval or the condition of about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied. A return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means, and forming an equally spaced linear reference line having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction during a forward or backward stroke of the main scanning. A forward stroke test pattern forming unit or a backward stroke test pattern forming unit for controlling the head driving unit.

Further, the method of forming a test pattern according to the present invention is directed to a printer for forming an image by forming dots on a recording medium by a dot recording head. A test pattern forming method for forming a test pattern composed of dots, wherein during a forward stroke of the dot recording head, the test pattern is separated by a first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. Forming a forward stroke inspection line composed of a plurality of separated dots, and during a return stroke of the dot recording head, an interval between each dot in the forward stroke inspection line is the first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction. Or at least one of the conditions at which at least one of the conditions in the sub-scanning direction is approximately half of the second predetermined interval is satisfied. A dot is formed at a timing at which a return stroke inspection line consisting of a line is to be formed, and a line-shaped reference line having an equal angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction is formed during the forward or backward stroke of the main scanning. That is the gist.

According to the recording apparatus or the test pattern forming method described above, during the forward stroke of the dot recording head, a plurality of recording heads separated by the first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and separated by the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. Outgoing line inspection line composed of the dots of (1) and (2) can be formed. Further, a condition that an interval between each dot formed by the outward pass test pattern forming means so as to form the outward inspection line during the return pass is approximately half of the first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction. Alternatively, it is possible to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the conditions that is about half of the second predetermined interval is satisfied in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, when the dot recording timing is adjusted to an appropriate timing, an inspection line in which a plurality of dots are arranged at a uniform interval in a certain area is formed by superimposing the forward stroke inspection line and the backward stroke inspection line. Is done. Further, during the forward or backward stroke of the main scanning, it is possible to form line-shaped reference lines at regular intervals having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction. Moire fringes are formed by overlapping the inspection line and the reference line.

On the other hand, if the dot recording timing deviates from the proper state, a relative deviation occurs between the forward inspection line and the return inspection line. At this time, the uniformity of a plurality of dots formed by the two processes is lost, and a dense portion and a sparse dot portion are generated. Alternatively, one inspection line becomes two lines each. The width of the moire fringes formed by overlapping the sparse or dense inspection lines or the two inspection lines and the reference line is changed. The amount of change in the width of the moiré fringes due to the displacement increases with respect to the displacement. The deviation of the dot recording timing can be easily and accurately adjusted. As described above, according to the recording apparatus or the test pattern forming method of the present invention, the dot recording timing of the recording apparatus can be adjusted by the moire fringes.

When the inspection line and the reference line are formed by the following four types, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(1) During a forward stroke of the main scanning, a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction, and separated by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. A forward path test pattern forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form an inspection line, and an interval between each dot formed by the forward path test pattern forming unit during the return stroke of the main scanning, A plurality of dots at positions where at least one of the condition that the condition is approximately half of the first predetermined interval in the inspection line direction or the condition that the condition is approximately half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied A return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means at a timing when an inspection line consisting of the following is to be formed, and an equal interval in the sub-scanning direction during the forward or backward stroke of the main scanning. A test pattern forming means or backward stroke test pattern forming means forward stroke for controlling the head driving means so as to form a line-shaped reference line, it is summarized in that comprises a.

(2) bidirectional dot forming means for controlling the head driving means so as to form a predetermined test pattern by forming dots during both forward and backward movements of the main scanning; A unidirectional dot forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form the predetermined test pattern by forming dots only during one of the movements of the main scan during a forward stroke or a return stroke; The bidirectional dot formation is performed so as to record a test pattern formed by the bidirectional dot formation means in which the reference line is formed by the unidirectional dot formation means, and a test pattern in which the test line is formed by the bidirectional dot formation means. The gist of the present invention is to provide a means for selecting a unidirectional dot forming means.

This recording apparatus can form the inspection line during both forward and backward movements of the dot recording head, that is, in both directions. It is also possible to form dots in the reference line during either the forward movement or the return movement of the head, that is, only in one direction. A reference line formed in a single direction becomes an ideal test pattern without a shift in dot formation timing.

(3) A first reference line is formed in the main scanning direction during the forward stroke of the main scanning, on a linear reference line having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction printed in advance on a recording medium. Forward path test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means so as to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a second predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction at predetermined intervals; During the process, the condition that the interval between the dots formed by the forward process test pattern forming means is about half of the first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction, or the 2. A return stroke test pattern formation for controlling the head driving means at a timing at which an inspection line consisting of a plurality of dots is formed at a position where at least one of the conditions that satisfies about half of the second predetermined interval is satisfied. And summarized in that includes the stage.

(4) A first angle having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction during a forward stroke of the main scanning, on a line-shaped reference line equally spaced in the sub-scanning direction printed on a recording medium in advance. Forward path test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means so as to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a second predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction at predetermined intervals; During the process, the interval between each dot formed by the outward process test pattern forming means,
In the inspection line direction, the condition is about half of the first predetermined interval, or in the sub-scanning direction, the second
And a return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means at a timing at which an inspection line consisting of a plurality of dots is formed at a position where at least one of the conditions that is about half of the predetermined interval is satisfied. I do.

In the recording apparatus, it is desirable that the angle at which the inspection line intersects with the reference line is 2 degrees to 10 degrees. When the inspection line intersects with the reference line, moire fringes are formed. The width of the moiré fringes changes in proportion to the correlation depending on the shift amount of the dot formation timing. When the angle at which the inspection line intersects with the reference line exceeds 10 degrees, a correlation proportional relationship with respect to the shift amount is not recognized. Conversely, when the angle is small, it is of course impossible to detect at 0 degree, but since the pitch of the stripes is too large, 2 degrees or more is practical.

According to the present invention, the minute shift amount of the dot recording timing is enlarged by the moire fringes, and the recording timing can be easily and accurately adjusted.

Further, since the deviation amount of the dot recording timing can be quantitatively measured by the change amount of the width of the moire fringe, the dot recording timing can be automatically adjusted by a machine.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 (1) Configuration of Apparatus FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a recording apparatus applied to the present invention. This recording apparatus is driven by a paper stacker 2, a paper feed roller 3 and a platen plate 5 driven by a step motor (not shown), a carriage 7 holding print heads 15K and 15CMY, a step motor 9, and a step motor 9. Traction belt 11 and carriage 7
And a guide rail 13.

The printing paper 1 as a recording medium is taken up from a paper stacker 2 by a paper feed roller 3 and is sent over the surface of a platen plate 5 in the sub-scanning direction. Carriage 7
Is a traction belt 11 driven by a step motor 9
And moves in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 13 to form main scanning means. The main scanning direction is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.

On the carriage 7, a print head 15K having black (K) ink and a print head 15CMY having three color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) are provided. Installed. These print heads 15K and 15CMY are arranged in the main scanning direction. The color ink print head 15CM
Y may be configured as a separate print head for each color ink.

(2) Internal Configuration and Operation of Printing Apparatus FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a printing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a printer). The printer driver 50 of the computer 51 generates print data for performing printing and transfers the print data to the printer. The transferred print data is stored in the reception buffer memory 53.

In the printer, the system controller 5
5 reads the print data from the reception buffer memory 53 and sends control signals to the main drive difference drive driver 57, the sub-drive difference immovable driver 61 and the head drive driver 69 based on the read data.

The system controller 55 includes a programmable ROM (PROM) 54 as a rewritable nonvolatile memory in addition to a CPU and a main memory (ROM and RAM) not shown. PR
The OM 54 stores a plurality of dot recording mode information such as function information at the recording timing for forming dots in bidirectional recording. The dot record information is stored in the PROM 54 by the printer driver 50 when the printer driver 50 is installed when the computer 51 is started.
From the main running difference and the side running difference, etc.
It is executed according to this information.

The gate array 65 reads the print data from the reception buffer memory 53, and based on the read data, K, C, M,
The image data of each color Y is created and written into the image buffer 67 for each color. Then, the head drive driver 69
According to a control signal from the system controller 55,
Each color image data is read out from the image buffer 67, and each color nozzle array 17K, 17C,
7M and 17Y are driven. The main scanning driver 57 and the sub-scanning driver 61 include a system controller 55
, The carriage motor 59 and the paper feed motor 63 are respectively driven.

The head driver 69 shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the head driving means in the present invention. The head drive driver 69 has a function as a recording position adjusting unit that adjusts the recording position along the main scanning direction. The main scanning drive driver 57 and the carriage motor 59 drive the main scanning unit. The sub-scanning drive driver 61 and the paper feed motor 63 drive the conveying means. Further, a recording mode (unidirectional recording) in which dots are formed only during the forward movement of the carriage 7 and a recording mode (bidirectional recording) in which dots are formed both during the reciprocation of the carriage 7 can be selected.

(3) Adjustment of Dot Recording Timing in Bidirectional Printing A method of adjusting dot recording timing when the above-described printer performs bidirectional printing will be described. When printing in the adjustment mode of the printer driver 50 is instructed, the computer 51 causes the printer driver 50 to print a test pattern stored in the ROM. A part of the test pattern is formed during the forward movement of the carriage 7, and the remaining part is formed during the return movement. Although the printer of this embodiment can perform color printing, it is sufficient to adjust the dot recording timing with one color, so that the storage data is printed in a single black color.

The computer 51 prints the stored data while variously changing the dot recording timing during the return stroke of the carriage 7 so that the dot recording timing in bidirectional recording can be adjusted. The dot recording timing is read from the PROM 54 of the system controller 55 as described above. Computer 51
Prints from the recording timing advanced to the recording timing delayed by a predetermined range around the dot recording timing.

A code for specifying the recording timing is simultaneously printed beside each test pattern recorded at each dot recording timing. The user of the printer compares the test patterns printed in this way, selects the one on which the best image is recorded, and places the code recorded next to the selected test pattern on the computer 51. To enter. After input, the printer driver 50
Causes the printer to execute printing at the dot recording timing corresponding to the input code. Thus, the adjustment of the dot recording timing of the printer is completed. Further, the newly set dot recording timing is recorded in the PROM of the printer, and the information is maintained even if the power is turned off, so that it is not necessary to frequently adjust the dot recording timing.

The above-described method of adjusting the dot recording timing is merely an example. By repeatedly inputting the dot recording timing and printing the test pattern based on the dot recording timing, it is possible to sequentially adjust the timing to a favorable timing. It may be good.

(4) Test Pattern by Moiré Fringes In the above-mentioned "(3) Adjustment of dot recording timing in bidirectional recording", general items have been described as dot recording timing adjustment methods. Hereinafter, a characteristic portion of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. That is,
A test pattern formed by a printer and a method of adjusting dot recording timing using the test pattern will be described.

The printer of this embodiment prints a plurality of dots formed of moire fringes as test patterns. The moiré fringes are stripe patterns formed by superimposing equally-spaced linear reference lines having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction and equally-spaced inspection lines in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 1A is a reference line. This reference line is formed during the forward or backward movement of the carriage. FIG. 1B is an inspection line. A part of the inspection line is formed during the forward movement of the carriage, and the remaining part is formed during the return movement. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a specific test pattern. This is a test pattern when the dot recording timing is recorded in the best condition. In FIG. 2A, circles (201) indicate dots formed by the forward movement of the carriage 7, and squares (202, 203) indicate return strokes. Is a dot formed by
FIG. 2B shows the inspection line when the dot recording timing changes. At this time, the return stroke dot (201) is slightly shifted to the right in the figure. Reference numeral 204 in FIG. 2B indicates a shift amount. FIG. 1C shows moire fringes formed by the intersection of the reference line and the inspection line. When the dot recording timing is shifted, the width (101) of the moire fringes in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows that the distance of the inspection line is the same as the distance of the reference line.
When the inspection line is 0.7 mm and the angle at which the inspection line intersects the reference line is 5 degrees, the relationship between the shift amount of the dot recording timing and the width of the moire fringes is shown. The horizontal axis represents the dot recording timing shift amount, and the vertical axis represents the width of the moire fringes. As shown in FIG. 3, the relationship between the shift amount of the dot recording timing and the width of the moiré fringes is a straight line, and the change amount of the width of the moiré stripes increases the shift amount of the dot recording timing by 30 times.

It should be noted that the above data is on inexpensive plain paper.
Further, the detection capability is higher.

By printing a test pattern composed of moiré fringes at various dot recording timings and selecting the most uniformly recorded pattern, the deviation of the dot recording timing of the printer can be kept in a certain area. Since the determination is made based on the printed moiré fringes, the deviation of the dot recording timing can be determined more easily and more accurately than the determination means based on the deviation of the minute dots as in the linear test pattern shown in FIG.

Next, an embodiment of a test pattern recording sheet used in a printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
A test pattern (corresponding to FIG. 1 (c)) described at the most appropriate timing is previously recorded on the test pattern recording sheet shown in FIG. . The printer of this embodiment prints a test pattern in the dot recording area at the center of the recording paper.
If such a recording sheet is used, it is possible to directly compare a previously described test pattern with a printed test pattern, and it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the dot recording timing. In particular, even a printer user who is not familiar with the test pattern can easily and accurately adjust the dot recording timing.

The test pattern to be described in advance only needs to be one that can be easily compared with the printed test pattern, and is typically described on a part of the recording paper in addition to the case shown in FIG. (FIG. 6B).

The printing of the test pattern by the printer of this embodiment is realized by the computer 51 operating the printer in accordance with a program for realizing such functions. Therefore, the present invention can also be embodied as a storage medium storing a program for realizing each of the above functions. That is, a program for realizing the above-described functions is stored in a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like.
It is provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer reads the program from the recording medium and transfers the program to an internal storage device or an external storage device. Alternatively, a program may be supplied to a computer via a communication path. When implementing the functions of the program, the program stored in the internal storage device is executed by the microprocessor of the computer. Further, the computer may read the program stored in the storage medium and directly execute the program.

The computer has a CPU, a RAM,
What is necessary is just to have a ROM, an input unit, etc., and to realize the above-mentioned functions by executing a programmer, and a computer may be built in a printer. In addition, as a “storage medium”, a flexible disk or C
Computers such as D-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punched cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM) and external storage devices of computers Various readable media are available.

In this embodiment, the reference lines are line-shaped at equal intervals with respect to the sub-scanning direction, and the inspection lines are line-shaped at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction. The inspection lines may be line-shaped at equal intervals in the scanning direction, and the inspection lines may be line-shaped at equal intervals having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction.

In this embodiment, the reference line is formed during the outward or return stroke, but may be formed on the recording medium by printing or the like in advance. Also, by being formed on a recording medium by a unidirectional dot forming means, and after being discharged, it is fed again,
The inspection line may be recorded by bidirectional means.

The setting of the interval between the inspection line and the reference line and the setting of the intersection angle between the inspection line and the reference line may be performed under conditions other than those shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printed pattern is read by a reading device attached to the main body, and the dot recording timing is automatically adjusted.

(1) Configuration of Apparatus FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a printer main body used in this embodiment.
In the paper stacker 2, a CCD camera 1 as a reading device
9 is attached.

(2) Internal Configuration and Operation of Recording Apparatus FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer.
A read driver 56 has been added. The reading device reads the printed moire fringes according to a control signal from the system controller 55 and sends the read moire fringes to the computer 51. Except for the computer 51 and the system control 55, the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 5, except that the computer 51 and the system control 55 are different from FIG.

The printer driver 50 of the computer 51
Stores a relational expression (quantitative measurement standard) between the width of the moiré fringe and the amount of deviation of the dot recording timing as shown in FIG. In the adjustment mode, in addition to the above, for the moire fringes taken from the reading device, the width of the moire fringes is calculated by image processing. From the width of the moire fringes, the deviation amount of the dot recording timing can be obtained by a quantitative measurement standard prepared in advance. The shift amount and the mode information are transferred to the printer, and the transferred shift amount and the mode information are stored in the reception buffer memory 53.

In the printer, the system controller 5
In a case where the printer 5 is in the adjustment mode by taking the shift amount and the mode information from the reception buffer memory 53, when the printer completes the recording, it sends a control signal for reading an image to the reading device. In the case of the print mode, the main scanning difference driving driver 57 and the sub scanning difference driving driver 61 depend on the amount of deviation of the dot recording timing.
And a control signal to the head drive driver 69.

(3) Adjustment of Dot Recording Timing in Bidirectional Printing A method of adjusting dot recording timing when the above-described printer performs bidirectional printing will be described. When printing is instructed in the adjustment mode of the printer driver 50, the computer 51 prints the test pattern stored in the ROM read from the reception buffer memory 53 using the same printer driver 50 as described above. When the recording is completed, the system controller 55 sends a control signal for reading an image to the reading device. The reading device captures an image of the recorded moiré fringe and sends it to the computer 51. Computer 5
1 calculates the width of the moire fringes using image processing, and calculates the amount of deviation of the dot recording timing from the width of the moire fringes according to a quantitative measurement standard prepared in advance. Then, the printer driver 50 causes the printer to execute printing at the dot recording timing corresponding to the shift amount. Thus, the adjustment of the dot recording timing of the printer is completed, and the newly set dot recording timing is recorded in the PROM of the printer.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the reading, determination and storage are all performed automatically by the main body, so that the user only needs to specify the adjustment mode once and does not need any other complicated operation.

(4) Test Pattern Using Moiré Fringes The test pattern using moiré fringes in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, but it is preferable that the recording paper is transparent instead of white paper. The reason is that the reading device is placed in the paper stacker 2 as shown in FIG. 7 in order to reduce the size of the recording device.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a test pattern using moiré fringes.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a test pattern using moire fringes.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a moiré fringe width and a shift amount.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a test pattern recording sheet.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a sheet thickness and an ink landing position.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional test pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing paper 2 ... Paper stacker 3 ... Paper feed roller 5 ... Platen plate 7 ... Carriage 9 ... Motor 11 ... Traction belt 13 ... Guide rail 15 ... Carriage 15K, 15CMY ... Printing head 19 ... Reading device 50 ... Computer driver 51 ... Computer 53 ... Reception buffer 54 ... Programmable ROM (PROM) 55 ... System controller 56 ... Read driver 57 ... Main scanning drive driver 59 ... Carriage motor 61 ... Sub scanning drive driver 63 ... Paper feed motor 65 ... Gate array 65 ... Head drive driver 67 ... Image buffer 69 ... Head drive driver

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on a surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning driving means for performing main scanning comprising a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding at least one of the dot recording head and a recording medium in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the main scanning is performed; A head driving unit for driving the dot recording head to form dots by a first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and a second driving direction in the sub-scanning direction during the forward stroke of the main scanning. Forward path test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means so as to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a predetermined interval; and The condition that the interval between the dots formed by the forward pass test pattern forming means is approximately half of the first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction, or the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. A return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means at a timing at which an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the conditions for halving is satisfied is satisfied; A forward-path test pattern forming unit or a backward-path test pattern forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form line-shaped reference lines at equal intervals with respect to the sub-scanning direction during the stroke. Recording device. 2. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on the surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning driving means for performing main scanning comprising a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding at least one of the dot recording head and a recording medium in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the main scanning is performed; A head driving means for driving the dot recording head to form dots by a first predetermined interval having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction during the forward stroke of the main scanning; Second in direction
A forward path test pattern forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a predetermined interval, and during the main scanning return path, the forward path test pattern forming unit. At least one of the condition that the interval between the formed dots is about half of the first predetermined interval in the inspection line direction or the condition that the interval is about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. A return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means at a timing at which an inspection line consisting of a plurality of dots at a position where one of them is established; and the sub-scan during the forward or backward stroke of the main scanning. Forward path test pattern forming means or return path test pattern for controlling the head driving means so as to form linear reference lines at regular intervals in the direction Recording apparatus having a forming means. 3. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on the surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning drive means for performing main scanning consisting of a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding a recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the main scanning is performed; and driving the dot recording head during the movement of the main scanning. A head driving unit for forming a dot by forming a dot, and controlling the head driving unit to form a predetermined test pattern by forming a dot during both forward and backward movements of the main scanning. Directional dot forming means, and forming the predetermined test pattern by forming dots only during one of the movements of the main scan during the forward stroke or the return stroke. A unidirectional dot forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form the test pattern formed by the bidirectional dot forming unit in which the reference line is formed by the unidirectional dot forming unit; and the bidirectional dot forming unit. A recording apparatus comprising: a bidirectional dot forming unit; and a selecting unit that selects a unidirectional dot forming unit, so as to record a test pattern in which an inspection line is formed. 4. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on a surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning driving means for performing main scanning comprising a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding at least one of the dot recording head and a recording medium in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the main scanning is performed; A head driving means for driving the dot recording head to form dots, and the main scanning on an equally spaced linear reference line having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction pre-printed on a recording medium. During the forward stroke, the inspection line is formed by forming a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. A forward-path test pattern forming unit that controls a head driving unit; and an interval between each dot formed by the forward-path test pattern forming unit during the return scan of the main scanning is the first distance in the main scanning direction. Of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the condition of about half of the predetermined interval or the condition of about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied. And a return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means. 5. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on the surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning driving means for performing main scanning comprising a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding at least one of the dot recording head and a recording medium in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the main scanning is performed; A head driving means for driving the dot recording head to form dots during the forward stroke of the main scanning, on a linear reference line equally spaced in the sub-scanning direction pre-printed on a recording medium. In order to form an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction and by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction, A forward path test pattern forming unit that controls a head driving unit; and an interval between each dot formed by the forward path test pattern forming unit during the return stroke of the main scanning is the first distance in the inspection line direction. Of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the condition of about half of the predetermined interval or the condition of about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied. And a return stroke test pattern forming means for controlling the head driving means. 6. An angle of a reference line formed as the inspection line is 2
5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle is from 10 degrees to 10 degrees. 7. The inspection line formed according to the reference line has an angle of 2
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the angle is 10 degrees to 10 degrees. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a deviation of a dot recording timing is automatically measured by the test pattern. 9. A recording apparatus for forming an image by forming dots on a recording medium by a dot recording head and forming a test pattern comprising a plurality of dots bidirectionally during a forward stroke and a backward stroke of the dot recording head. A test pattern forming method, comprising: a plurality of dots separated at a first predetermined interval in the main scanning direction and at a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction during the forward stroke of the main scanning. A condition that a line is formed, and an interval between each dot formed by the forward pass test pattern forming means during the return pass of the main scan is about half of the first predetermined interval in the main scan direction. Or a timing for forming an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots at a position where at least one of the conditions that satisfies about half of the second predetermined interval is satisfied in the sub-scanning direction. Recording method to form a dot, the main during the forward stroke as or backward stroke of the scanning, and forming evenly spaced linear reference line having an angle with respect to the subscanning direction. 10. A recording apparatus for forming an image by forming dots on a recording medium by a dot recording head and forming a test pattern comprising a plurality of dots in both directions during a forward stroke and a backward stroke of the dot recording head. A test pattern forming method, wherein during a forward stroke of the main scanning, a plurality of test patterns are separated by a first predetermined interval having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction, and separated by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. In the inspection line direction, the interval between each dot formed by the forward pass test pattern forming means is set to the first predetermined interval in the inspection line direction during the return scan of the main scanning. An inspection line consisting of a plurality of dots is formed at a position where at least one of the condition of about half or the condition of about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied. Recording method dot is formed in should do the timing during the forward stroke as or backward stroke of the main scanning, and forming evenly spaced linear reference line to the sub-scanning direction. 11. A recording apparatus for recording an image by forming dots on the surface of a recording medium by using a dot recording head, wherein at least one of the dot recording head and the recording medium is driven to drive the dot recording head. Main scanning drive means for performing main scanning consisting of a reciprocating stroke; sub-scanning driving means for feeding a recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the main scanning is performed; and driving the dot recording head during the movement of the main scanning. A head driving unit for forming a dot by forming a dot, and controlling the head driving unit to form a predetermined test pattern by forming a dot during both forward and backward movements of the main scanning. Directional dot forming means, the predetermined test pattern by forming dots only during one of the movements of the main scan during the forward stroke or the return stroke A unidirectional dot forming unit that controls the head driving unit so as to form; and a test pattern formed by a bidirectional dot forming unit in which the reference line is formed by the unidirectional dot forming unit. A recording method comprising: a bidirectional dot forming unit; and a selecting unit that selects a unidirectional dot forming unit, so as to record a test pattern in which an inspection line is formed by the directional dot forming unit. 12. A recording apparatus for forming an image by forming dots on a recording medium by a dot recording head and forming a test pattern comprising a plurality of dots bidirectionally during a forward stroke and a backward stroke of the dot recording head. A test pattern forming method, comprising: forming a main pattern in the main scanning direction during an outward stroke of the main scanning on a linear reference line having an angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction printed in advance on a recording medium; Forming an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction and separated by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction; The condition that the distance between each of the dots is about half of the first predetermined distance in the main scanning direction or about half of the second predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction. Recording method, wherein at least one of which forms dots at timing for forming a test line including a plurality of dots in a position to hold the. 13. A recording apparatus for forming an image by forming dots on a recording medium by a dot recording head and forming a test pattern composed of a plurality of dots bidirectionally during a forward stroke and a backward stroke of the dot recording head. A test pattern forming method, wherein an angle is formed with respect to the sub-scanning direction during a forward stroke of the main scanning, on a linear reference line equally spaced in the sub-scanning direction pre-printed on a recording medium. Forming an inspection line composed of a plurality of dots separated by a first predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction and separated by a second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction; The condition that the interval between the dots is about half of the first predetermined interval in the inspection line direction or about half of the second predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. Recording method, wherein at least one of which forms dots at timing for forming a test line including a plurality of dots in a position to hold the. 14. The recording method according to claim 9, wherein an angle of a reference line formed along the inspection line is 2 degrees to 10 degrees. 15. The recording method according to claim 10, wherein the angle of the inspection line formed along the reference line ranges from 2 degrees to 10 degrees. 16. The recording method according to claim 9, wherein a shift in dot recording timing is automatically measured by the test pattern.