CN101421111A

CN101421111A - Boundary value table optimizing device, boundary value table setting device, liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting device, and computer program

Info

Publication number: CN101421111A
Application number: CNA2007800134521A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 桑原宗市
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2006-04-14
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2009-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-05
Also published as: JP2007283587A; CN101421111B; JP4893079B2

Abstract

In a method of substantially correcting gradation values in a gradation correcting unit, the number of reproducible gradations is substantially reduced. Selection information of a boundary value table for multi-value error diffusion is stored, by ejection condition, in an information storing unit of a liquid ejecting head that can represent one pixel with a large number of liquid droplets. When the liquid ejecting head is mounted, selection information matching an ejection condition is read out and a boundary value table corresponding to the selection information is set for reference by a half toning unit. Consequently, the boundary value table is optimized to correct a gradation characteristic without substantially reducing the number of reproducible gradations.

Description

Table boundary value is optimized equipment, equipment, fluid jetting head, liquid injection device and computer program is set

Technical field

The present invention relates to of proposing in the specification is used to proofread and correct the technology of the fluctuation of the distinctive gradient characteristic of fluid jetting head.

Optimize equipment, equipment, fluid jetting head, liquid injection device and computer program are set by the table boundary value that the present invention relates to that the inventor proposes.

Background technology

As one of remarkable factor of the picture quality that influences printing equipment, there is gradient (gradation) characteristic.Followingly explained the gradient characteristic with reference to Fig. 1.Fig. 1 represents the schematic flow by the data processing of printing equipment execution.Under the situation of Fig. 1, the input data are assumed to be the numerical data of rgb format.The position of every kind of color is made as 8 long holidays, and the position of each color is made as is total up to 24 long holidays.In this case, each color of RGB has the information about 256 gradients of from 0 to 255.

Color conversion unit 1 is four kinds of colors corresponding to ink color with the digital data conversion of rgb format, that is, and and each numerical data of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black) (each comprise from 0 to 255 8).

Half to transfer (halftoning) unit 3 behind color correction be 5 driving data corresponding to each color with digital data conversion.

5 spray ink droplet based on driving data, and form print data on print media.

Suppose after this color conversion to require to have linear relationship shown in Figure 2 about the output result's of numerical data (0 to 255) concentration.Ideally, the relation between numerical data and the concentration is not limited to this linear relationship.

As the digital value of expression concentration, except optical concentration, can use various digital values, as the L of laboratory color space ^*The absolute value of 1/3 power of absolute value, Y of 1/3 power of X of value, XYZ color space and the absolute value of 1/3 power of Z and the read value by scanner.

By the way, to be light represent with respect to the logarithm of the degree of certain the not transmissions of part of photographic film, photographic paper etc. and reflection optical concentration.The minimum of a value of optical concentration is 0.00 (transmission and reflection fully).The big more indicating image of the digital value of optical concentration is black more.

Yet in fact, numerical data and concentration have the saturated gradient relation of gradient in area with high mercury as shown in Figure 3.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, provide gradient calibration unit 7 to carry out correct operation, be used to offset gradient characteristic shown in Figure 3 in the back level of color conversion unit 1.Fig. 5 shows the example of gradient calibration curve.According to this gradient calibration, numerical data after the color conversion and output result's concentration is corrected to satisfy gradient relation shown in Figure 2.

Yet when carrying out the gradient calibration of being indicated by gradient calibration unit 7, as shown in Figure 6, in fact the actual quantity of gradient has reduced.

As one of method of the minimizing of control gradient quantity, there is the method that increases the figure place of handling.For example, there is the method for 8 bit digital data being changed into 10 or 12 bit digital data and handling this numerical data.

Yet this method has the problem that needs some memories and processing speed to descend.

The reason of these problems is: when many gradient datas during by binarization, are tending towards occurring gradient characteristic shown in Figure 3 by error diffusion method inevitably.

In order to handle these problems, the inventor has proposed a kind of method, improves the appearance of this gradient characteristic by using many-valued error diffusion method.This many-valued error diffusion method means the multivalue image data of 3 value raw image datas being changed into about 8 values, and the concentration error that will cause in this case is diffused into peripheral pixel.In many-valued error diffusion method, usually determine by value that the gradient quantity of raw image data is on average obtained divided by many-valued quantity as boundary value.

Yet never the vision during the printing lowermost level image of image state (0 grade) beginning of printing changes, and the vision greater than since 2 grades of images of printing of 1 grade the time changes.Therefore, when being set to same intervals respectively for 0 grade and 1 grade, 1 grade and 2 grades, 2 grades and 3 grades and 3 grades and 4 grades, as shown in Figure 7, image color has appearred in fact from the trend of perfect condition with respect to the input signal skew.

Therefore, the inventor has proposed a kind of method, and it has optimized the boundary value that is used for many-valued error diffusion, makes print result meet desirable gradient characteristic curve (JP-A-2005-252633).

When this method of application, can be so that the relation of image color and input signal more approaches ideal relationship shown in Figure 8.Gradient characteristic between each boundary value can be offset a little with respect to characteristic curve shown in Figure 8.Therefore, in the print system of reality, the gradient calibration unit also can be used for adjusting subtly the purpose of this skew.

Yet usually, the gradient characteristic of each printhead has fluctuation.The example of the reason of this fluctuation comprises the fluctuation of height of fluctuation, fluid chamber of the nozzle diameter that is used to spray ink droplet and the fluctuation of heater performance.

Because this characteristics fluctuation, there is such problem:, but in the other end, also do not obtain identical characteristic even can obtain gradient characteristic shown in Fig. 2 and 8 for certain stature.

JP-A-3-252269 discloses a kind of method that addresses this problem.In brief, JP-A-3-252269 discloses a kind of method, it is stored in multiple gradient calibration data in the gradient calibration unit 7, and on the other hand, to be used for selecting the information of these gradient calibration data to be stored in each printhead, thereby during gradient calibration, use the gradient calibration data of the head that is suitable for installing.

Yet use the gradient calibration unit to come in fact the method for correction gradient value to have significant problem in this way and be: as mentioned above, in fact attainable gradient number reduces.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the present invention proposes a kind of mechanism that is used to optimize the gradient characteristic and does not in fact reduce attainable gradient width.

In other words, the inventor has proposed a kind of mechanism, is used for the concentration of the test pattern that forms according to the information that is stored in fluid jetting head or based on reality, the table boundary value that optimization will be selected or create.

The inventor has proposed four kinds of methods described below as the method for optimizing table boundary value.

(A) mechanism 1 (table boundary value selection)

As one of mechanism, the inventor has proposed a kind of method that is used for selecting at multiple table boundary value the information of Optimal Boundary value table of reading from the information memory cell of printhead.

In other words, the inventor has proposed a kind of following processing capacity is optimized equipment as table boundary value method of installing.

(a) select the information sensing element, when its information at the table boundary value that is used for selecting many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, read the information of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops; And

(b) table boundary value is provided with the unit, and the boundary value that it is provided with corresponding to described sense information is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

(B) mechanism 2 (table boundary value creates 1)

As one of mechanism, the inventor has proposed to create in a kind of one group of boundary value reading the method for Optimal Boundary value table from the information memory cell of fluid jetting head.

(a) boundary value sensing element, its many-valued error diffusion respectively organize in boundary value is stored in fluid jetting head according to injection conditions the information memory cell time, read one group of boundary value of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

(b) table boundary value creating unit, it creates table boundary value based on this group boundary value of reading;

(c) table boundary value memory cell, the table boundary value of its storage creation;

(d) table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value, is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

(C) mechanism 3 (table boundary value creates 2)

As one of mechanism, the inventor has proposed a kind of method of determining information creating Optimal Boundary value table from the information memory cell of fluid jetting head based on the boundary value of reading.

(a) boundary value is determined the information sensing element, when its information at the one group of boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, read the information of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

(b) boundary value determining unit, it is identified for determining one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion based on sense information;

(c) table boundary value creating unit, it creates table boundary value based on this group boundary value of determining;

(d) table boundary value memory cell, the table boundary value of its storage creation;

(e) table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value, is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

(D) mechanism 4 (table boundary value creates 3)

As one of mechanism, the inventor has proposed a kind of method, and in fact it use fluid jetting head to form test pattern, the concentration of reading test pattern optically, and from the concentration of reading, create Optimal Boundary value table.

(a) test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal of the boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion and directly drives fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, and described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

(b) concentration reading unit, it reads the concentration of the test pattern of actual formation optically;

(c) table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with the table boundary value of selecting or creating based on the concentration that reads, and is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

By adopting each mechanism that proposes by the inventor,, the gradient characteristic correction can not reduced the gradient width to optimum state even when in each fluid jetting head (nozzle chip), having the fluctuation of gradient characteristic yet.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure that is illustrated in the schematic flow of the data processing of carrying out in the printing equipment;

Fig. 2 is the curve map that is used to explain desirable gradient characteristic;

Fig. 3 is the curve map that is used for explaining in the gradient characteristic of the saturated gradient of area with high mercury;

Fig. 4 illustrates to be used for according to gradient calibration the figure of gradient characteristic correction to the example of the system configuration of perfect condition;

Fig. 5 is the curve map that the example of gradient calibration curve is shown;

Fig. 6 is illustrated in the figure that comes the example of the I/O relation under the situation of correction gradient characteristic according to gradient calibration;

Fig. 7 is the curve map that is illustrated in the gradient characteristic that the many-valued error diffusion under the situation that boundary value is set to equal intervals handles;

Fig. 8 is the curve map that is illustrated in the gradient characteristic of the many-valued error diffusion processing under the situation of having optimized boundary value;

Fig. 9 is the figure of example that is used to explain the structure of printhead;

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B are the figure of example that is used to explain the formation of a pixel;

Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B are the figure of example that is used to explain the driving of printhead;

Figure 12 is the figure that the notion configuration of the printing equipment that is proposed by the inventor is shown;

Figure 13 is the figure that illustrates corresponding to the example of the configuration of the printing equipment of exemplary system 1;

Figure 14 illustrates the figure of example that table boundary value is optimized the configuration of unit;

Figure 15 is the figure that the example of wherein selecting the table that information and table boundary value be associated is shown;

Figure 16 is the curve map that is used to explain the gradient characteristic of boundary value before optimised;

Figure 17 is the curve map that is used to explain the gradient characteristic of boundary value after optimised;

Figure 18 is the curve map that is used to explain the gradient characteristic under the situation of Cmax fluctuation;

Figure 19 is used for the curve map that the example of the gradient characteristic under the situation of boundary value quantity (boundary value quantity=3) has been optimized in explanation;

Figure 20 is used for the curve map that the example of the gradient characteristic under the situation of boundary value quantity (boundary value quantity=5) has been optimized in explanation;

Figure 21 is used for the curve map that the example of the gradient characteristic under the situation of boundary value quantity (boundary value quantity=4) has been optimized in explanation;

Figure 22 is the figure (boundary value quantity=3) that the example of table boundary value is shown;

Figure 23 is the figure (boundary value quantity=5) that the example of table boundary value is shown;

Figure 24 is the figure (boundary value quantity=4) that the example of table boundary value is shown;

Figure 25 is the figure that illustrates corresponding to the example of the configuration of the printing equipment of exemplary system 2;

Figure 26 illustrates the figure of example that table boundary value is optimized the configuration of unit;

Figure 27 is the figure that illustrates corresponding to the example of the configuration of the printing equipment of exemplary system 3;

Figure 28 illustrates the figure of example that table boundary value is optimized the configuration of unit;

Figure 29 illustrates the figure that boundary value is wherein determined the example of the table that information and each boundary value are associated;

Figure 30 is the figure that illustrates corresponding to the example of the configuration of the printing equipment of exemplary system 4;

Figure 31 A and Figure 31 B are the figure that is used to explain the relation between test pattern and the gradation of drop-out colour;

Figure 32 illustrates the figure of example that table boundary value is optimized the configuration of unit;

Figure 33 is the figure that is used to explain the relation between gradation of drop-out colour and each boundary value;

Figure 34 is the figure of example that is used to explain the outward appearance of booth (kiosk) type printing equipment; And

Figure 35 is the figure of example that is used to explain the outward appearance of home-use printing equipment.

The specific embodiment

Below explain the technology that is used for optimizing the gradient characteristic according to the present invention.

Each unit that the present technique field is well-known or technique known is applied to not concrete in this manual diagram or describes.

Below the embodiment of Xie Shiing only is one embodiment of the present of invention.The invention is not restricted to this embodiment.

(A) print system

Below explain print system as the example of liquid injection device.In this embodiment, suppose that this print system is droplet ejection appts (a so-called ink-jet printer).

At first, explanation is as the basic structure of the prerequisite of print system.In following explanation, this basic structure is divided into printhead and signal processing system.

(A-1) printhead

This print system is used to spray the printhead of the system of ink droplet to the print media as printhead.Various systems (as the method for using piezoelectric element and the method for utilizing the heater heating ink) can be applied to ink droplet jet mechanism.

The concept map that forms the nozzle surface of printhead 5 has been shown among Fig. 9.Each black annulus among the figure is corresponding to each nozzle.Nozzle is arranged with the spacing (pitch) corresponding to print resolution.

Under the situation of this embodiment, zone (information memory cell) 51 has been installed, its storage optimization table boundary value information necessary.

As information memory cell 51, except can the structure (as the arrangement pattern and the logic circuit of semiconductor memory, resistor element, contact point) of electrical readout information, also can adopt the structure of sense information (as the print pattern on the case surface) optically, can be according to structure (as breaker (cutout)) of mechanical couplings sense information etc.

Printhead shown in Figure 9 represents that ink color is four kinds of colors (Y, M, C and K).Under the situation of the printhead that can spray the greater amount ink color, arranged to be equal to or greater than the nozzle row of four lines.

Under the situation of present embodiment, suppose that printhead can use one or more nozzles to form and have a pixel of a plurality of ink droplets.In other words, printhead can be represented a pixel with a plurality of gradients.The nozzle row that is used for four kinds of colors also can be formed on a printhead.

The example of the formation of a pixel has been shown among Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B.In fact, there is the influence of the moving of eject position, fuzzy (blur) etc.

Figure 10 A be in a pixel region 11, move its in-position in, by spraying the example of a pixel of ink droplet 13 overlapped formation.Under the situation of this example, a pixel is formed by 4 ink droplets 13.

Figure 10 B is that one of them pixel region 11 is divided into a plurality of subregions, and by spraying the example that ink droplet forms a pixel according to subregion.Under the situation of this example, a pixel region 11 is formed by 9 sub regions.

In the above two kinds of cases, a pixel region 11 can be represented by multistage gradient.

The print system of printhead can be linear head dummy or can be the serial head dummy.

The print image of linear head dummy has been shown among Figure 11 A.The printhead 5 (nozzle row) of the type is with identical with the print span of print media 15 or form greater than the width of this print span.In this case, can form print image and not be used in scanning and printing head 5 on the print span direction.

The print image of serial head dummy has been shown among Figure 11 B.The printhead 5 (nozzle row) of the type forms with the width less than the print span of print media 15.In this case, form print image by scanning and printing head on the print span direction of print media 15 5.

(A-2) signal processing system

Next, explain the illustrative configurations that each signal processing system is common.

Schematically shown the signal processing system of printing equipment among Figure 12.In Figure 12, represent with identical Reference numeral corresponding to the unit of those unit shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in figure 12, printing equipment described below comprises color conversion unit 1, partly transfers unit 3, printhead 5 and table boundary value to optimize unit 21 as primary clustering.The gradient converting unit is unnecessary basically, complementally is used to improve the accuracy of the correction of gradient characteristic except this gradient converting unit.

Explain the concrete grammar of realizing table boundary value optimization unit 21 after a while.No matter what this method is, table boundary value is optimized the function that the table boundary value of the many-valued error diffusion processing that is used for half accent unit 3 has been realized optimizing in unit 21.

The example of optimization method comprises by printhead (ink color or nozzle chip) selects the method for suitable table boundary value and the method for creating Optimal Boundary value table by printhead (ink color or nozzle chip) from a plurality of table boundary values.As the method for creating table boundary value, can expect based on the method for creating table boundary value from information memory cell 51 sense informations of printhead 5 with based on the method that the measurement concentration of print result is created table boundary value.

In Figure 12, suppose that will be given to table boundary value about the information of the gradient characteristic of each printhead optimizes unit 21, so that the expression function common to these methods.

The optimization of boundary value comprises the function of optimizing the characteristic shape of gradient and optimizes the function of the quantity of the characteristic ink droplet of definition gradient.Particularly, when Cmax there are differences between each, can realize the stable of picture quality by the quantity of optimizing ink droplet.Difference in the Cmax can not be proofreaied and correct by disclosed gradient conversion among the JP-A-3-252269.

(A-3) exemplary system

Below explain the exemplary system of printing equipment by the method that realizes table boundary value optimization unit 21.

(a) exemplary system 1

At first, in the explanation of this exemplary system, select table boundary value to each printhead optimum based on the selection information that reads from printhead.

(a-1) system configuration

The exemplary system of printing equipment has been shown among Figure 13.In Figure 13, represent with identical Reference numeral corresponding to the unit of Fig. 4 and those unit shown in 12.

Printing equipment shown in Figure 13 comprises color conversion unit 1, gradient calibration unit 7, partly transfers unit 3, printhead 5 (information memory cell 51) and table boundary value to optimize unit 21.

Under the situation of Figure 13, gradient calibration unit 7 has been installed.Yet this gradient calibration unit 7 is used to adjust can not be by the fine gradient of partly transferring unit 3 to proofread and correct fully.

The table boundary value that is suitable for being applied to this exemplary system has been shown among Figure 14 has optimized the example of the detailed configuration of unit 21.

The table boundary value that uses in this exemplary system is optimized unit 21 and is comprised that selection information sensing element 211, table boundary value are provided with unit 213 and table boundary value is provided with memory cell 215.

Selection information sensing element 211 is from the information memory cell 51 of printhead 5, reads the selection information processing equipment to the table boundary value of the distinctive gradient characteristic of each printhead optimum.

Suppose that when printing equipment dispatches from the factory this selection information is stored as for example resistance of ROM data and variable resistance by head.For for example Y ink, M ink, C ink and K ink are provided with selection information.As in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, selection information also can be installed according to each nozzle chip.

By the way, in selecting information sensing element 211, adopted the mechanism of reading corresponding to the file layout of the information of selection.For example, when selection information is stored as the ROM data, select information sensing element 211 to comprise the ROM reader.

As the content of the information of selection, used the identification number that is given to each table boundary value, this identification number is prepared in the printing equipment side.In addition, used, as the quantity of the mean value and the boundary value of nozzle diameter specific to the information of each printhead gradient characteristic.

It is to be provided with to read corresponding to the table boundary value of the selection information of reading the memory cell 215 and this table boundary value is set from table boundary value to be used for by the treatment facility of partly transferring unit 3 references that table boundary value is provided with unit 213.Much less this table boundary value is provided with according to ink color (according to the attribute of ink).Much less when nozzle row formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, table boundary value can also be provided with according to each nozzle chip.

The example that table boundary value is provided with the configuration of memory cell 215 has been shown among Figure 15.Under the situation of Figure 15, N kind (N is a natural number) selection information and N table boundary value storage explicitly mutually.

Each table boundary value adopts such list structure basically, and wherein judgment threshold, boundary value L, boundary value H, output valve L and output valve H are associated with input signal values (Grad).

Judgment threshold is used as the criterion about the value (input value) that is added to the input signal values acquisition by the error component with peripheral pixel.

Boundary value L is the boundary value that distributes during less than judgment threshold in input value.Boundary value H is the boundary value that distributes during greater than judgment threshold in input value.

Output valve L and output valve H distribute to less than the input value of judgment threshold with greater than the quantity (quantized value) of the ink droplet of the input value of judgment threshold.

Table boundary value be provided with unit 213 be in cut-and-dried a plurality of table boundary value in this way, select to be suitable for most printhead the gradient characteristic table boundary value and this table boundary value be set be used for by the treatment facility of partly transferring unit 3 references.According to the optimization of table boundary value, even in printhead, there is the fluctuation of gradient characteristic, also can be so that handle the more approaching desirable gradient characteristic of image color that on print media, realizes by the many-valued error diffusion of partly transferring unit 3.

(a-2) optimize operation

At first, explain the optimization operation of carrying out when basic identical corresponding to the Cmax of the printhead of each ink color.

Two printheads with difform gradient characteristic have been shown among Figure 16.As shown in figure 16, Cmax is basic identical.Yet, the concentration reproducing characteristic difference of middle gradient region.Suppose that the image color in the high gradient regions is tending towards saturated.

When according to the gradient characteristic optimizing of printhead during table boundary value, as shown in figure 17, the gradient characteristic of two printheads is corrected to desirable substantially gradient characteristic and gradient quantity does not reduce.Square symbols indication on Figure 17 forms 7 boundary values of table boundary value 1, and the triangle indication forms 7 boundary values of table boundary value 2.In Figure 17, boundary value is excessively moved to clarify the difference of the boundary value between each table boundary value.Yet the mobile of boundary value may be only local an appearance.Under any circumstance, when optimizing boundary value, the gradient information of input signal can substantially directly reproduce.

Always do not equate mutually corresponding to the Cmax of the printhead of each ink color.

In this case, even only proofreaied and correct the curve shape of specific gradient characteristic, can not reproduce correct image color.

The different example of Cmax has been shown among Figure 18.Figure 18 illustrates about number of ink droplets three kinds of printheads, that form a pixel and the relation between the image color.As shown in figure 18, when Cmax not simultaneously, even only optimized the boundary value that many-valued error diffusion is used in handling, picture quality also falls near Cmax.

Therefore, when the maximum of the quantity of fully guaranteeing to spray the ink droplet that is used to form a pixel, the quantity that has adopted definite boundary value is with the method for the Cmax that mates each printhead.

For example, under the situation of Figure 18, what see is, for the Cmax with each printhead is provided with identical, the quantity of boundary value that only need printhead A is set to " 3 ", the quantity of boundary value that only need printhead B is set to " 5 ", and the quantity of boundary value that only need printhead C is set to " 4 ".

In the case, the quantity of boundary value " 3 " is set to the selection information of the table boundary value in the information memory cell 51 of printhead A.

The quantity of boundary value " 5 " is set to the selection information of the table boundary value in the information memory cell 51 of printhead B.

The quantity of boundary value " 4 " is set to the selection information of the table boundary value in the information memory cell 51 of printhead B.

In the case, for example, be applied to printhead A, then can realize the desirable gradient characteristic shown in Figure 19 with boundary value quantity " 4 " if comprise the table boundary value of boundary value " 0 ", " 138 ", " 212 " and " 255 ".

For example, be applied to printhead B, then can realize the desirable gradient characteristic shown in Figure 20 with boundary value quantity " 6 " if comprise the table boundary value of boundary value " 0 ", " 76 ", " 138 ", " 182 ", " 224 " and " 255 ".

For example, be applied to printhead C, then can realize the desirable gradient characteristic shown in Figure 21 with boundary value quantity " 5 " if comprise the table boundary value of boundary value " 0 ", " 100 ", " 169 ", " 220 " and " 255 ".

In Figure 19 and 21, desirable gradient characteristic shows with linearity configuration.Yet the shape of desirable gradient characteristic is not limited to linearity configuration, and can be crooked shape.In this case, having used wherein, boundary value is set up the table boundary value that is positioned on the ideal curve.

The example of table boundary value has been described according to the quantity of boundary value at last.Figure 22 is the example with table boundary value of boundary value quantity " 4 ", and Figure 23 is the example with table boundary value of boundary value quantity " 6 ", and Figure 24 is the example with table boundary value of boundary value quantity " 5 ".

The various methods that threshold value is set are possible.In this embodiment, used the median of boundary value.For example, when by will be when surrounding pixel calculates the error of coming and be added to value that input signal obtains less than threshold value, input value be converted into boundary value L (being lower than the boundary value of threshold value).As a result, exported injection quantity (output valve L) corresponding to boundary value L.

On the other hand, when by will be when surrounding pixel calculates the error of coming and be added to value that input signal obtains greater than threshold value, input value be converted into boundary value H (greater than the boundary value of threshold value).As a result, exported injection quantity (output valve H) corresponding to boundary value H.

(a-3) optimization effect

As mentioned above, in advance selection information is write storage area so that select method corresponding to the Optimal Boundary value table of printhead if adopted, then can be so that the gradient characteristic of each printhead does not more reduce the quantity of gradient near perfect condition.

If select the Cmax of message reflection printhead and directly or indirectly specified the quantity of boundary value, even then there is fluctuation in the jet power of printhead, also the Cmax of the various inks that can reproduce on print media is set to basic identical.As a result, can realize high print quality and no matter the jet power of printhead.

(b) exemplary system 2

In the explanation of this exemplary system, based on the information creating that from printhead, reads to the table boundary value of each printhead optimum.

(b-1) system configuration

The exemplary system of printing equipment has been shown among Figure 25.In Figure 25, represent with identical Reference numeral corresponding to the unit of those unit shown in Figure 13.

Printing equipment shown in Figure 25 comprises color conversion unit 1, gradient calibration unit 7, partly transfers unit 3, printhead 5 (information memory cell 51) and table boundary value to optimize unit 31.

This print system and exemplary system 1 different being: the necessary many group boundary values of the establishment of table boundary value are stored in the information memory cell 51 of printhead 5 according to print conditions.Therefore, table boundary value is optimized table boundary value is realized creating in unit 31 based on one group of boundary value reading according to print conditions function.

Under the situation of this embodiment, print conditions is determined according to the combination of the type of paper, print pattern etc.Print pattern is determined according to the combination of resolution ratio, print speed, picture quality, print What and other project.

By the way, resolution ratio is designated as for example high-resolution, resolution ratio etc.Print speed is designated as for example high speed, low speed etc.Picture quality is designated as for example high image quality, normal image quality, rough draft etc.Print What is designated as for example photo, document etc.

Yet, be not always all print conditions and store one group of boundary value.In this case, the one group of boundary value that is based upon various print conditions storages is created one group of essential boundary value.

The table boundary value that is suitable for this exemplary system has been shown among Figure 26 has optimized the example of the detailed configuration of unit 31.

Table boundary value is optimized unit 31 and is comprised that boundary value sensing element 311, table boundary value creating unit 313, table boundary value memory cell 315 and table boundary value are provided with unit 317.

Boundary value sensing element 311 is carried out the processing that is used for reading from the information memory cell 51 of printhead 5 one group of boundary value of coupling print conditions.In the case, under superincumbent situation, when printing equipment dispatched from the factory, this group boundary value was stored as for example resistance of ROM data and variable resistance by head.

For for example Y ink, M ink, C ink and K ink are provided with this group boundary value.As in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color forms by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, also can one group of boundary value be set according to each nozzle chip.

By the way, in boundary value sensing element 311, adopted the mechanism of reading corresponding to the file layout of boundary value.For example, when selection information was stored as the ROM data, boundary value sensing element 311 comprised the ROM reader.

Table boundary value creating unit 313 is carried out the processing of creating table boundary value based on this group boundary value of reading.

Particularly, as described belowly determine threshold value and the output valve be associated with boundary value, so that form the table boundary value that wherein threshold value and output valve are associated with all input signal values.

At first, generation threshold value as described below.This threshold value is determined to be in the median according to two mutual adjacent in this group boundary value of amplitude sequence arrangement boundary values.Less one of two adjacent boundary values is set to boundary value L, and bigger one is set to boundary value H.In this case, basically based on following formula calculated threshold.The decimal of result of calculation is rounded to integer.

Threshold value=boundary value L+ (boundary value H-boundary value L)/2

In the case, for example, be calculated as " 32 " from " 0+ (63-0)/2 " corresponding to the threshold value of boundary value " 0 " and boundary value " 63 ".

Similarly, for example, be calculated as " 95 " from " 63+ (127-63)/2 " corresponding to the threshold value of boundary value " 63 " and boundary value " 127 ".

In table boundary value, when being added to value that input signal values " 1 " arrive " 63 " acquisition by the error that will be around occurs in the pixel less than threshold value " 32 ", boundary value L (promptly, " 0 ") be associated with input signal values, and when this is worth greater than threshold value " 32 ", boundary value H (that is, " 63 ") is associated with input signal values.The association of each boundary value is carried out other input signal values in the same manner.

By the way, when be added to the processing of carrying out when value that input signal values obtains equals threshold value " 32 " by the error that will be around occurs in the pixel in, according to setting before, signal value is associated with boundary value L or boundary value H.

The output valve that generated as described below.Form the ink droplet of a pixel quantity (that is, " 0 ", " 1 ", " 2 " ...) be associated with boundary value with the ascending order arrangement.The maximum of output valve is associated with the quantity of boundary value.

Table boundary value creating unit 313 is created the table boundary value shown in Figure 22 to 24 according to this process.

Table boundary value memory cell 315 is storage areas of the table boundary value of storage creation.According to the elimination of the necessity that recomputates, table boundary value memory cell 315 is contemplated to be nonvolatile storage.For example, use semiconductor memory apparatus, magnetic storage apparatus and other storage medium.Much less during powering, when reading boundary value when creating table boundary value once more from printhead 5, volatile storage medium also can be used as storage area.

It is that the table boundary value that establishment is set is used for by the treatment facility of partly transferring unit 3 references that table boundary value is provided with unit 317.Much less table boundary value is according to the ink color setting.As in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row of corresponding each ink color formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, selection information also can be installed according to each nozzle chip.

As a result, no matter the fluctuation of the distinctive gradient characteristic of each printhead, can be so that handle the more approaching desirable gradient characteristic of on print media, reproducing of image color by the many-valued error diffusion of partly transferring unit 3.

(b-2) optimization effect

As mentioned above,, then can in print system, create the Optimal Boundary value, and make the gradient characteristic of each printhead more near perfect condition if adopted the method that will write corresponding to the Optimal Boundary value of printhead in advance in the information storage area territory 51.

If being stored in the quantity of the boundary value in the storage area is provided with according to the Cmax that reflects printhead, even then there is fluctuation in the jet power of printhead, also the Cmax of the various inks that can reproduce on print media is set to basic identical.As a result, can realize high print quality and no matter the jet power of printhead.

(c) exemplary system 3

In the explanation of this exemplary system, determined information creating to the table boundary value of each printhead optimum based on the boundary value that from printhead, reads.

(c-1) system configuration

The exemplary system of printing equipment has been shown among Figure 27.In Figure 27, represent with identical Reference numeral corresponding to the unit of those unit shown in Figure 13.

Printing equipment shown in Figure 27 comprises color conversion unit 1, gradient calibration unit 7, partly transfers unit 3, printhead 5 (information memory cell 51) and table boundary value to optimize unit 41.

This print system and exemplary system 1 different being: be used for determining that the information of the necessary one group of boundary value of establishment table boundary value is stored in the information memory cell 51 of printhead 5 according to print conditions.

Therefore, table boundary value is optimized unit 41 and is realized determining that based on the boundary value of coupling print conditions information determines the function of boundary value and create the function of table boundary value based on one group of boundary value determining.

Boundary value determines that information means the information as the information of the characteristic of representing average nozzle diameter, gradation of drop-out colour and printhead.In the explanation of exemplary system 1, directly select table boundary value based on these kinds of information.Yet, in this exemplary system, adopted the method for determining one group of boundary value based on the information of identical type.Operation after this group boundary value is determined is identical with the operation in the exemplary system 2.

The table boundary value that is suitable for this exemplary system has been shown among Figure 28 has optimized the example of the detailed configuration of unit 41.

Table boundary value is optimized unit 41 and is comprised that boundary value determines that information sensing element 411, boundary value determining unit 413, table boundary value creating unit 415, table boundary value memory cell 417 and table boundary value are provided with unit 419.

Boundary value determines that 411 execution of information sensing element are used for reading boundary value from the information memory cell 51 of printhead 5 and determine information processing.In this case, under superincumbent situation, when printing equipment dispatched from the factory, this boundary value determined that information is stored as for example resistance of ROM data and variable resistance by head.

As in the said system example, in this exemplary system,, for example Y ink, M ink, C ink and K ink determine information for being provided with this boundary value.As in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, boundary value determined that information also can be according to each nozzle chip setting.

In boundary value sensing element 411, adopted the mechanism of reading corresponding to the file layout of boundary value.For example, when selection information was stored as the ROM data, boundary value determined that information sensing element 411 comprises the ROM reader.

It is the processing that many-valued error diffusion is determined one group of boundary value that boundary value determining unit 413 is carried out based on sense information.For example, boundary value determining unit 413 determines to determine corresponding to boundary value one group of boundary value of information with reference to the correspondence table shown in Figure 29.

Specific explanations when boundary value determines that information is gradation of drop-out colour, determine the method for boundary value." 0.51 ", " 0.98 ", " 1.36 ", " 1.60 ", " 1.88 " and " 2.01 " have been supposed to store as gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to 1 to 6 grade.Suppose that the ideal relationship between Grad and the concentration is provided by for example " concentration=Grad * 0.0078 ".

In this case, the Grad corresponding to each concentration can calculate by " Grad=concentration ÷ 0.0078 ".

Table boundary value determining unit 413 determines that by deducting to read as boundary value the gradation of drop-out colour of information calculates desirable Grad in " Grad=concentration ÷ 0.0078 ".This Grad is as " boundary value " of definition table boundary value.

Therefore, when in above-mentioned example, providing gradation of drop-out colour, be calculated as " 65 ", " 126 ", " 174 ", " 205 ", " 241 " and " 257 " corresponding to its boundary value.

Yet, under the situation of this embodiment because the maximum of boundary value is " 255 ", so relatively 5 grades and 6 grades of table boundary value determining units 413 and be arranged on 6 grades boundary value and be " 255 ", this at 6 grades boundary value near " 255 ".

When the gradation of drop-out colour of storage is " 0.8 ", " 1.4 ", " 1.8 ", " 2.1 ", " 2.2 " and " 2.3 ", be " 103 ", " 179 ", " 231 ", " 269 ", " 282 " and " 294 " by calculating the boundary value that obtains.In the case, boundary value determining unit 413 is arranged on 4 grades boundary value for " 255 ", and does not use the boundary value 5 grades and 6 grades.

Table boundary value creating unit 415 is carried out the processing that is used to create table boundary value based on the one group of boundary value that calculates in this way.In the case, table boundary value creating unit 415 is determined threshold value and output valve with the process identical with process in the example 2, and creates the table boundary value that wherein threshold value and output valve are associated with all input signal values.

Table boundary value memory cell 417 is storage areas of the table boundary value of storage creation.According to the minimizing of the load of recomputating, table boundary value memory cell 417 is contemplated to be nonvolatile storage.For example, use semiconductor memory apparatus, magnetic storage apparatus and other storage medium.Much less during powering, when reading boundary value when creating table boundary value once more from printhead 5, volatile storage medium also can be used as storage area.

It is that the table boundary value that establishment is set is used for by the treatment facility of partly transferring unit 3 references that table boundary value is provided with unit 419.Much less table boundary value is provided with according to ink color (according to the attribute of ink).

As in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, selection information also can be installed according to each nozzle chip.

(c-2) optimization effect

As mentioned above,, then can in print system, create Optimal Boundary value table, and make the gradient characteristic of each printhead more near perfect condition if adopted the method that will write corresponding to the Optimal Boundary value of printhead in advance in the information storage area territory 51.

If the boundary value that is stored in the information storage area territory 51 determines that information is provided with by the Cmax of reflection printhead, even then there is fluctuation in the jet power of printhead, also the Cmax of the various inks that can reproduce on print media is set to basic identical.As a result, can realize high print quality and no matter the jet power of printhead.

(d) exemplary system 4

In the explanation of this exemplary system, determine the Optimal Boundary value based on the actual print result (concentration of measurement) of each stature, and create and to be used for making corresponding to the gradient characteristic of each printhead of this boundary value more near the table boundary value of ideal characterisitics.

Therefore, in this exemplary system, information memory cell 51 unnecessary installations or be formed in the printhead 5.

(d-1) system configuration

The exemplary system of printing equipment has been shown among Figure 30.In Figure 30, represent with identical Reference numeral corresponding to the unit of those unit shown in Figure 13.

Printing equipment shown in Figure 30 comprises color conversion unit 1, gradient calibration unit 7, partly transfers unit 3, printhead 5, test pattern signal generation unit 61, gradation of drop-out colour sensing element 71 and table boundary value to optimize unit 81.

The distinctive configuration of this print system is: reproduce test pattern signal generation unit 61 and gradation of drop-out colour sensing element 71 have been installed, and table boundary value is optimized unit 81 execution and is determined the Optimal Boundary value according to the gradation of drop-out colour of actual measurement, and the function of creating table boundary value based on one group of boundary value of determining.

Test pattern signal generation unit 61 is the treatment facilities that generate the test pattern signal of determining of the boundary value that is used for many-valued error diffusion.

Under the situation of this embodiment, test pattern signal generation unit 61 generates test pattern according to print conditions.Yet, also can only generate a kind of test pattern or representative test pattern.

Basically, corresponding to finding the pattern of the boundary value of printhead self characteristics to be used as test pattern signal from it.For example, when printhead can spray 4 ink droplets to pixel, generated 4 kinds of patterns, that is, and 1 grade solid pattern, 2 grades solid pattern, 3 grades solid pattern, 4 grades solid pattern.Progression is corresponding to the quantity of ink droplet.

Example corresponding to the test pattern of this situation has been shown among Figure 31 A.Yet,, in the time can simply specifying the gradient characteristic, can only use the part solid pattern typically by observation segment boundary value as optimizing under the situation of preparing one group of boundary value in the unit 81 at table boundary value in advance.The example of this solid pattern has been shown among Figure 31 B.Figure 31 B is that the saturated state in high gradient part is set to the example under the situation of the object of observation.In other words, in Figure 31 B, selected solid pattern at 3 grades.

Gradation of drop-out colour sensing element 71 is the gradation of drop-out colour of read test pattern optically and the equipment that output is used for the information of definite boundary value.For example, scanner is used as gradation of drop-out colour sensing element 71.Therefore, this PRN device is suitable for being equipped with the multi-function peripheral of scanner except printhead.Yet gradation of drop-out colour sensing element 71 can also be embodied as the equipment that the outside is attached to printing equipment and is configured to catch by the communication terminal of printing equipment scanning result.

71 outputs of gradation of drop-out colour sensing element are for example optimized unit 81 for the gradation of drop-out colour that each test pattern is measured to table boundary value.

In this embodiment, suppose to provide the output valve of scanner with for example 8 (0 to 255 (concentration of thick more image is big more)).In the case, suppose that gradation of drop-out colour is calculated as " output valve of scanner * 0.01 ".

For example, shown in Figure 31 A and 31B, calculated gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to test pattern.Under the situation of Figure 31 A, be calculated as " 1.0 " corresponding to the gradation of drop-out colour of 1 grade test pattern.Gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to 2 grades test patterns is calculated as " 1.2 ".Gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to 3 grades test patterns is calculated as " 1.5 ".Gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to 4 grades test patterns is calculated as " 2.0 ".Along band ground, in Figure 31 B, has only a kind of test pattern.In this case, the gradation of drop-out colour of test pattern is calculated as " 1.5 ".

Yet, can generate with above-mentioned other exemplary system in identical information rather than the gradation of drop-out colour of information, and this information can be given to table boundary value and optimizes unit 81.In other words, the selection information of table boundary value, one group of boundary value and be used for determining that the information of this group boundary value can be given to table boundary value optimization unit 81.

The table boundary value that is suitable for this exemplary system has been shown among Figure 32 has optimized the example of the detailed configuration of unit 81.

Table boundary value is optimized unit 81 and is comprised that boundary value determining unit 811, table boundary value creating unit 813, table boundary value memory cell 815 and table boundary value are provided with unit 817.

Under the situation of this example, boundary value determining unit 811 is carried out the processing that is identified for one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion based on gradation of drop-out colour.For example, boundary value determining unit 811 is with reference to the definite one group of boundary value corresponding to gradation of drop-out colour of the correspondence table shown in Figure 33.

For example, when the gradation of drop-out colour corresponding to test pattern is measured as " 0.51 ", " 0.98 ", " 1.36 ", " 1.60 ", " 1.88 " and " 2.01 ", boundary value determining unit 811 to be deducting the gradation of drop-out colour of measurement by " Grad=concentration ÷ 0.0078 " relational expression that provides, and calculates the boundary value corresponding with it.Much less the ideal relationship between Grad and concentration when providing, uses this relational expression by " concentration=Grad * 0.0078 ", and when other relational expression is set up, uses other relational expression.

When the concentration of measuring was in above-mentioned example those, boundary value determining unit 811 output " 65 ", " 126 ", " 174 ", " 205 ", " 241 " and " 257 " were as boundary value.Yet, under the situation of this embodiment because the maximum of boundary value is " 255 ", so relatively 5 grades and 6 grades of boundary value determining units 811 and are set to " 255 " at 6 grades boundary value, this at 6 grades boundary value more near " 255 ".

When the gradation of drop-out colour of measuring is " 0.8 ", " 1.4 ", " 1.8 ", " 2.1 ", " 2.2 " and " 2.3 ", calculate " 103 ", " 179 ", " 231 ", " 269 ", " 282 " and " 294 " as boundary value.In this case, boundary value determining unit 811 is arranged on 4 grades boundary value for " 255 ", and does not use the boundary value 5 grades and 6 grades.

Table boundary value creating unit 813 is carried out the processing that is used to create table boundary value based on this group boundary value of reading.In the case, table boundary value creating unit 813 is determined threshold value and output valve with the process identical with process in the exemplary system 2, and creates the table boundary value that wherein threshold value and output valve are associated with all input signal values.

Table boundary value memory cell 815 is storage areas of the table boundary value of storage creation.According to the minimizing of the load of recomputating, table boundary value memory cell 815 is contemplated to be nonvolatile storage.For example, use semiconductor memory apparatus, magnetic storage apparatus and other storage medium.Much less during powering, when reading boundary value when creating table boundary value once more from printhead 5, volatile storage medium also can be used as storage area.

It is that the table boundary value that establishment is set is used for by the treatment facility of partly transferring unit 3 references that table boundary value is provided with unit 817.Much less as in the printhead of linear head dummy, when the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color formed by a plurality of nozzle chips of binding, table boundary value also can be provided with according to each nozzle chip.

As a result, no matter the fluctuation of the distinctive gradient characteristic of printhead, can be so that handle the more approaching desirable gradient characteristic of image color that on print media, realizes by the many-valued error diffusion of partly transferring unit 3.

(d-2) optimization effect

As mentioned above, test pattern is given to printhead with detection print characteristic (that is, gradation of drop-out colour), and has created Optimal Boundary value table according to the result who detects.As a result, even the characteristic of working as printhead also can be carried out the printing that is in optimum state along with the time changes.If use this function, then table boundary value can be optimized to the gradient characteristic when print point.

In this case, as mentioned above, when the boundary value in being stored in information memory cell 51 determines that information is provided with by the Cmax that reflects printhead, even then there is fluctuation in the jet power of printhead, also the Cmax of the various inks that can reproduce on print media is set to basic identical.As a result, can realize high print quality and no matter the jet power of printhead.

(B) the application example of printing equipment

The application example of printing equipment has been described at last.

Above-mentioned printing equipment can be applied to the product that is used for various uses.

For example, printing equipment can be applied to booth type printing equipment.The general external structure of booth type printing equipment has been shown among Figure 34.The printing equipment 91 of the type is equipped with the viewing area 95, the medium that are used to operate and inserts port 97 and the small change port 99 on the front surface of shell 93.

For example, printing equipment can also be applied to the product that is mainly used in the domestic consumer.The general external structure of the type printing equipment has been shown among Figure 35.The type printing equipment 101 is equipped with medium and inserts port 107 and the viewing area on the front surface of shell 103 105.

For example, printing equipment can also be applied to the printing equipment that is used for medical institutions.Under the situation of the printing equipment that is used for medical institutions, this printing equipment is used to print black white image (as X-ray photographs) and photochrome (as the MRI image).Particularly, in the printing equipment that proposes by the inventor, can reproduce gradient information and in fact do not lose, in addition, because there is not the influence of the fluctuation in the Cmax, so can expect very high picture quality.

(C) other embodiment

(a) in the explanation of the foregoing description, stored many groups table boundary value and be used for selecting.

Yet these table boundary values can be caught after a while by exterior storage medium.In other words, these table boundary values can be added or rewrite after a while.Can adopt the mechanism that is used for downloading from the server of manufacturer etc. these table boundary values by network service (as the internet).

(b) in the explanation of the foregoing description, wherein select information and table boundary value to be mutually related and show to be stored in the printing equipment.

Yet the content of this table can also be added or rewrite after a while.Can adopt the mechanism that is used for downloading from the server of manufacturer etc. the content of table by network service (as the internet).

(c) in the explanation of the foregoing description, wherein boundary value determines that the mutually inter-related table of information and table boundary value is stored in the printing equipment.

(d) in the explanation of the foregoing description, mainly the function that is used to select or create table boundary value has been described from function aspects.Yet much less equivalent function can also be embodied as hardware or software.

All these functions are not only to be realized by hardware or software.The section processes function can realize by using hardware or software.In other words, hardware and software can in conjunction with.

(e) in the explanation of the foregoing description, technology according to the present invention is applied to the printing equipment that sprays ink droplet.

Yet the above-mentioned technology that is used for hydrojet can also be applied to sprays fluid jetting head and the liquid injection device of various dyestuffs as drop.This technology can also be applied to liquid droplets etc. and be used for fluid jetting head and the liquid injection device that protective layer forms.This technology can also be applied to various measurement devices and testing equipment, as the little dispersion machine as drop such as reagent injected.This technology can also be applied to various pattern forming devices, and wherein drop is to be used for the reagent that guard block is not corroded.This technology can also be applied to the equipment that the solution that comprises DNA is used to detect biopsy sample that sprays.

(f) the foregoing description various are modified in the scope of spirit of the present invention and can expect.Also can expect based on various modifications and application that the description of this specification is created.

Claims

1. a table boundary value is optimized equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

Selection information sensing element, when its information at the table boundary value that is used for selecting many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, from the information that described information memory cell is read the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops; And

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and the table boundary value that it is provided with corresponding to sense information is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

2. a table boundary value is optimized equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

The boundary value sensing element, when it is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head in each the boundary value group that is used for many-valued error diffusion according to injection conditions, read one group of boundary value of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

The table boundary value creating unit, it creates table boundary value based on this group boundary value of reading;

The table boundary value memory cell, the table boundary value of its storage creation; And

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value, is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

3. a table boundary value is optimized equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

Boundary value is determined the information sensing element, when its information at the one group of boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, from the information that described information memory cell is read the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

The boundary value determining unit, it is identified for one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion based on sense information;

The table boundary value creating unit, it creates table boundary value based on this group boundary value of determining;

4. a table boundary value is optimized equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

The test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal of each boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion according to injection conditions, and directly drives fluid jetting head, and described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

The concentration reading unit, it reads the concentration of the test pattern of actual formation optically; And

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with the table boundary value of selecting or creating based on the concentration of reading, and is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

5. optimize equipment as the arbitrary described table boundary value of claim 1-4, it is characterized in that the attribute setting of table boundary value according to liquid.

6. optimize equipment as the arbitrary described table boundary value of claim 1-4, it is characterized in that table boundary value is according to fluid jetting head or according to the nozzle chip setting.

7. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, and it is used to select the information of the table boundary value of many-valued error diffusion according to injection conditions storage.

8. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, and it is used for one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion according to the injection conditions storage.

9. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, and it is used for the information of one group of boundary value of definite many-valued error diffusion according to the injection conditions storage.

10. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops, it is characterized in that comprising the test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal of the boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion according to injection conditions, and directly drives printhead.

11. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that being used to select the property store of the information of table boundary value according to liquid.

12. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that being used for the property store of this group boundary value of many-valued error diffusion according to liquid.

13. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 9, the information of this group boundary value that it is characterized in that being used for determining many-valued error diffusion is according to the property store of liquid.

14. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that the property store of test pattern signal according to liquid.

15. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that being used to select the information of table boundary value to store according to fluid jetting head or according to nozzle chip.

16. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that this group boundary value that is used for many-valued error diffusion stores according to fluid jetting head or according to nozzle chip.

17. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that being used for determining that the information of one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion stores according to fluid jetting head or according to nozzle chip.

18. fluid jetting head as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that test pattern signal stores according to fluid jetting head or according to nozzle chip.

19. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it is used to select to be suitable for the information of the table boundary value of the many-valued error diffusion used by described fluid jetting head according to injection conditions storage;

Selection information sensing element, it reads the information that is used to select table boundary value from described information memory cell, and this information is the information of coupling injection conditions;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and the table boundary value that it is provided with corresponding to sense information is used for by partly transferring the unit reference; And

Partly transfer the unit, it makes input image data experience many-valued error diffusion with reference to the table boundary value that is provided with, and input image data is quantified as the drop number corresponding with it.

20. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it stores the one group of boundary value that is suitable for by the many-valued error diffusion of described fluid jetting head use according to injection conditions;

The boundary value sensing element, it reads one group of boundary value of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell;

The table boundary value memory cell, the table boundary value of its storage creation;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value, is used for by partly transferring the unit reference; And

21. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it stores the information that is suitable for by the one group of boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion of described fluid jetting head use according to injection conditions;

Boundary value is determined the information sensing element, and it reads the information that is used for determining one group of boundary value from described information memory cell, and this information is the information of coupling injection conditions;

22. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

The test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal of the boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion according to injection conditions, and directly drives described fluid jetting head;

The concentration reading unit, it reads the concentration of the test pattern of actual formation optically;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with the table boundary value of selecting or creating based on the concentration of reading according to injection conditions, is used for by partly transferring the unit reference; And

23. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When the information of the table boundary value that is used for selecting many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, the information processing of from described information memory cell, reading the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops; And

Setting is used for by the processing of partly transferring the unit reference corresponding to the boundary value of described sense information.

24. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When the one group of boundary value that is used for many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, the processing of one group of boundary value of from described information memory cell, reading the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Create the processing of table boundary value based on this group boundary value of reading; And

The table boundary value that establishment is set is used for by the processing of partly transferring the unit reference.

25. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When the one group of boundary value that is used for determining many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, the information processing of from described information memory cell, reading the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Be identified for the processing of one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion based on sense information;

Create the processing of table boundary value based on this group boundary value of determining; And

26. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

Generate the test pattern signal of the boundary value be used for determining many-valued error diffusion and directly drive the processing of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Read the processing of concentration of the test pattern of actual formation optically; And

Setting selects based on the concentration of reading or the table boundary value of establishment is used for by the processing of partly transferring the unit reference.

27. a table boundary value is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

Selection information sensing element, when its information in the several boundary value of the table boundary value that is used for selecting being formed for many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, read the information of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops; And

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and the boundary value that it is provided with corresponding to described sense information is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

28. a table boundary value is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

The boundary value sensing element, when it quantitatively is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head corresponding to each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, read one group of boundary value of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value and is used for by partly transferring the unit reference.

29. a table boundary value is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

Boundary value is determined the information sensing element, it is in the information of each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic that is used for determining corresponding fluid jetting head and boundary value number, when being stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, read the information of coupling injection conditions from described information memory cell, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

30. a table boundary value is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that comprising:

The test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal of the number of the boundary value be used for determining many-valued error diffusion and boundary value according to injection conditions, and directly drives fluid jetting head, and described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is used for by partly transferring the unit reference according to the table boundary value that the injection conditions setting is selected or created based on the concentration of reading.

31. the arbitrary described table boundary value as claim 27-30 is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that the attribute setting of table boundary value according to the liquid that will spray.

32. the arbitrary described table boundary value as claim 27-30 is provided with equipment, it is characterized in that table boundary value is according to fluid jetting head or according to the nozzle chip setting.

33. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, described information memory cell is used to specify the information of the boundary value number of the table boundary value that forms many-valued error diffusion according to the injection conditions storage.

34. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, described information memory cell according on the injection conditions stored number corresponding to each boundary value of gradient reproducing characteristic.

35. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops is characterized in that comprising information memory cell, described information memory cell is used for determining each boundary value of corresponding gradient reproducing characteristic and the information of boundary value number according to the injection conditions storage.

36. the fluid jetting head that can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops, it is characterized in that comprising the test pattern signal generation unit, it generates the test pattern signal corresponding to the injection conditions of boundary value that is used for definite many-valued error diffusion and boundary value number, and directly drives described fluid jetting head.

37. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it is used to specify the information of the boundary value number that forms the table boundary value that is suitable for the many-valued error diffusion used by described fluid jetting head according to injection conditions storage;

Selection information sensing element, it reads the information that is used to specify the boundary value number that forms table boundary value from described information memory cell, and this information is the information of coupling injection conditions;

Partly transfer the unit, its table boundary value with reference to described setting makes input image data experience many-valued error diffusion, and input image data is quantified as the drop number corresponding with it.

38. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it is according to each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic of corresponding fluid jetting head on the injection conditions stored number;

Table boundary value is provided with the unit, and it is provided with table boundary value and is used for by partly transferring the unit reference; And

39. a liquid injection device is characterized in that comprising:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Information memory cell, it stores each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic that is used for definite corresponding fluid jetting head and the information of boundary value number according to injection conditions;

Boundary value is determined the information sensing element, and it reads the information that is used for determining each boundary value and boundary value number from described information memory cell, and this information is the information of coupling injection conditions;

The boundary value determining unit, it determines one group of boundary value of many-valued error diffusion based on sense information;

40. a liquid injection device is characterised in that to comprise:

Fluid jetting head, it can represent a pixel with a large amount of drops;

The test pattern signal generation unit, it generates according to injection conditions and is used for determining the boundary value of many-valued error diffusion and the test pattern signal of boundary value number, and directly drives fluid jetting head;

41. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When the information of the boundary value number of the table boundary value that is used for selecting forming many-valued error diffusion is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, the information processing of from described information memory cell, reading the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops; And

Setting is used for by the processing of partly transferring the unit reference corresponding to the table boundary value of described sense information.

42. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When quantitatively being stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions corresponding to each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic of fluid jetting head, the processing of from described information memory cell, reading one group of boundary value of coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

43. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

When the information of each boundary value of the gradient reproducing characteristic that is used for determining corresponding fluid jetting head and boundary value number is stored in the information memory cell of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, the information processing of from described information memory cell, reading the coupling injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

44. a computer program is used to make computer to carry out:

Generate the test pattern signal of the boundary value be used for determining many-valued error diffusion and boundary value number and directly drive the processing of fluid jetting head according to injection conditions, described fluid jetting head can be represented a pixel with a large amount of drops;

Be used for by the processing of partly transferring the unit reference based on concentration selection of reading or the table boundary value of creating according to the injection conditions setting.