CN1810508A

CN1810508A - Printing device, printing device control method, print data generation device, and print data generation method

Info

Publication number: CN1810508A
Application number: CN 200610004227
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高桥透
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2005-01-28
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2006-08-02

Abstract

The invention provides a novel printing device, a printing device control procedure, a printing device control method, a data generating device for printing, a data generating procedure for printing and a data generating method for printing which can eliminate ribbon phenomenon which is caused by a flying bending phenomenon or basically does not stand out. A printing device (100) comprises an image data getting portion (10) which gets the image data of M value (M>=3), a data generating portion (11) for printing which utilizes a special error diffusion matrix for avoiding the ribbon to do an error diffusion treatment for a nozzle which relates to pixel data which is corresponded with the ribbon phenomenon, thereby generating printing data which is used to print the image of the image data into a printing medium (such as printing paper) for a printing portion (13), and a printing portion (12) which prints the image of the image data to the printing medium through ink-ejecting mode according to the data for printing.

Description

Printing equipment, its control method, printing data generating device and generation method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of printing equipment and printing equipment control program and printing equipment control method that is used for printing equipment that picture unit or duplicator, OA equipment uses etc., especially relate to and after printing paper (recording materials) is gone up the particulate of ejection polychrome liquid ink, describe printing equipment authentic language or image, so-called ink-jetting style, printing equipment control program and printing equipment control method and print with data generating device, printing with data generator and printing data creation method.

Background technology

Below, printing equipment is described, especially adopts the printer (below be called ' ink-jet printer ') of ink-jetting style.

Ink-jet printer, is not only also extensively popularized in office but also in the general user so be accompanied by popularizing of personal computer or digital camera etc. usually because cheap and obtain high-quality colour print thing easily.

This ink-jet printer usually by one be equipped with ink roller and printhead be called as moving body that carrier (carriage) waits in the medium that is used to print (for example printing paper etc.) upper edge perpendicular to the direction of paper feeding direction back and forth, the limit from the nozzle point-like of this printhead spray the particle of (injection) liquid ink, literal of describing to stipulate on described medium or image are made the printing thing of expecting.In addition, the ink roller by in this carrier, being equipped with 4 looks possess black (black) (black, Huang, fuchsin, bluish-green) and the printhead of every kind of look, not only can carry out monochrome and print, also can easily make up panchromatic printing of all kinds (and 6 looks of shallow fuchsin of adding or bluish-green etc. or the situation of 7 looks or 8 looks also are practical in these are of all kinds).

In addition, in the ink-jet printer that so makes the printhead edge type that the execution of reciprocal limit is printed perpendicular to the direction of paper feeding direction on the carrier, in order to print whole 1 page gallantly, must make printhead move back and forth several 10 times to more than 100 times, so with the printing equipment of alternate manner, for example use the laser printer that utilizes Electronic Photographing Technology etc. of duplicator etc. to compare, have the shortcoming that spends the time-write interval significantly.

Relative therewith, the rectangular printhead of the width at configuration sized and printing paper identical (or longer), do not use in the ink-jet printer of type of carrier than it, printhead is moved along the width of printing paper, can carry out the printing of so-called 1 scanning (1 path), so can carry out the printing with the same high speed of described laser printer.In addition, owing to needn't load the carrier of printhead or the drive system that moves it etc., thus can realize small-sized, the lightweight of printer housing, and then also have the advantage of the solemn silence of increasing substantially.In addition, the ink-jet printer with the former mode is called ' multi-pass type printer ' usually, and the ink-jet printer with latter's mode is called ' line head (line head) type printer ' or ' serial printer ' usually.

But, obligato printhead in this ink-jet printer, separating constant interval, setting 1 row or set the multiple row diameter along Print direction is trickle nozzle about 10～70 microns, so because foozle, the printing ink emission direction of portion nozzle can tilt, or be configured on the position of the position of nozzle and ideal position dislocation, the bullet of the point that is formed by this nozzle position that falls also misplaces with ideal position, promptly produces so-called ' flight buckling phenomenon '.In addition, because difference (deviation) characteristic of nozzle, as the big characteristic of this difference, quantity of ink is compared with desired quantity, becomes very many, or becomes considerably less.

As a result, in the part of using this bad nozzle to print, produce the print defect that is called what is called ' ribbon (striped) phenomenon ', print quality is significantly descended.Promptly, if produce ' flight is crooked ' phenomenon, then by the dot spacing of adjacent nozzles ejection from becoming inhomogeneous, in the part of distance between abutment points than normal duration, produce ' informal voucher line (printing paper is the situation of white) ', distance between abutment points produces ' dense striped ' than in the just often short part.In addition, under quantity of ink departs from ideal situation, with regard to quantity of ink nozzle segment how, can produce dense striped, and in the few part of quantity of ink, produce the informal voucher line.

Especially this ribbon phenomenon is compared with the situation of described ' multi-pass type printer ' (serial printer), fix at printhead or the medium that is used for printing (1 time print in the path) ' line head dummy printer ' one side is very easy to produce (at the multi-pass type printer, having utilization to make printhead back and forth make the inconspicuous technology of ribbon after several times).

Therefore, a kind of print defect that this in order to prevent ' ribbon phenomenon ' causes, advance the manufacturing technology of printhead to improve with keen determination or the research and development of so-called hardware components such as design improved, but, be difficult to provide 100% printhead that does not produce ' ribbon phenomenon ' from manufacturing cost, technological layer etc.

Therefore, except that the improvement of described hardware components, go back and reduce the technology of this ' ribbon phenomenon ' at present with use so-called software approach such as printing control as follows.

For example, in patent documentation 1 that shows down or patent documentation 2, for not spraying of the difference that tackles nozzle or printing ink, set in the light part of concentration, use the shade correction technique to tackle the difference of head,, use other look to substitute (for example under situation about printing with black in the dense part of concentration, substitute bluish-green or fuchsin etc.), make ribbon or difference unshowy.

In addition, in the patent documentation 3 that shows down, take following method, promptly to the β image (be with respect to line image, the image portion that area is bigger is by the fine and close zone that covers of printing ink, but sometimes since edge effect etc. do not covered fully.), increase near the not spray volume of the adjoining nozzles of the pixel of jetting nozzle, by the nozzle-integrated β image that generates.

In addition, in the patent documentation 4 that shows down, the measures of dispersion of each nozzle fed back in the error diffusion handle, absorb, avoid the ribbon phenomenon from the spray volume difference of the printing ink of nozzle ejection.

In addition, in the patent documentation 5 that shows down, produce at the ejection state that has printing ink under the situation of unusual nozzle (N), be additional near near nozzle (N-1), (N+1) the pairing record data that are positioned at this abnormal nozzle (N) by tackling in the record data of this abnormal nozzle (N), compensate the pairing record data of this abnormal nozzle (N), avoid the ribbon phenomenon.

Patent documentation 1: the spy opens the 2002-19101 communique

Patent documentation 2: the spy opens the 2003-136702 communique

Patent documentation 3: the spy opens the 2003-63043 communique

Patent documentation 4: the spy opens flat 5-30361 communique

Patent documentation 5: the spy opens the 2004-58284 communique

But, shown in prior art of above-mentioned patent documentation 1 and above-mentioned patent documentation 2 etc., use other color to reduce in the method for ribbon phenomenon or difference, because the form and aspect of the part of implement handling change, do not require in high image quality, the high-quality printing so be suitable for color picture image printing etc.

In addition, for the dense part of concentration, by about shake branch not the information of jetting nozzle avoid ' informal voucher line ' method under the situation that it is applicable to described ' flight buckling phenomenon ', can reduce the informal voucher line, but exist in the dense part of concentration the problem of residual ribbon still.

In addition, in the methods such as prior art of above-mentioned patent documentation 3, be that the β image is then out of question if print thing, but under the situation of printing thing that is middle gray, can not utilize this method.In addition, the method that other color of uses such as fine rule is buried if use a little then out of question, the same with the former but for the image that other color produces continuously, have the problem of the part form and aspect variation of image.

In addition, in the method for the prior art of above-mentioned patent documentation 4 etc., at the problem of the formation content dislocation of point, the processing of carrying out suitable feedback complicates, and has insoluble problem.

In addition, in the method for the prior art of above-mentioned patent documentation 5 etc., in the post processing after binaryzationization, when the nozzle of periphery forms the different point of size, in point, exist under the situation of γ characteristic, have the problem of the danger of area gray scale turmoil with this part.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the present invention is conceived to the unsolved problem that this prior art has and makes, and its 1st purpose is to provide a kind of the elimination to print image quality aggravation or inconspicuous basically new printing equipment, printing equipment control program and printing equipment control method and print with data generating device, printing with data generator and printing data creation method.

In addition, the 2nd purpose is to provide that a kind of to eliminate the flight buckling phenomenon be the ribbon phenomenon of main cause the printing image quality aggravation or inconspicuous basically new printing equipment, printing equipment control program and the printing equipment control method that cause and print with data generating device, printing with data generator and printing data creation method.

In addition, the 3rd purpose is to provide a kind of and eliminates the bad printing image quality aggravation that causes of ejection or inconspicuous basically new printing equipment, printing equipment control program and the printing equipment control method of printing ink and print with data generating device, printing with data generator and printing data creation method.

[mode 1] to achieve these goals, the printing equipment of mode 1 is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that: possess

View data obtains parts, and it obtains the view data of the pixel value of (M 〉=3) value that has M;

The nozzle information memory unit, the nozzle information of the characteristic of the described nozzle of its storage representation;

The error diffusion matrix memory unit, the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio that its memory error spreads to the pixel data that spreads object;

The pixel data selection parts, it selects the determined pixel data in the described view data;

N value processing unit, it carries out the N value handles, and the pixel value that is about to the M shown in the described pixel data of choosing (M 〉=3) value is transformed to the processing of N (M＞N 〉=2) value;

The error diffusion parts, its value with the described pixel data of choosing, with the difference of the value of this pixel data of choosing after described N value is handled as described error, according to described error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is not carried out the pixel data that described N value is handled in the described view data, upgrade the pixel value of described view data;

Printing generates parts with data, and it generate to be printed and use data, and this printings has been stipulated about the information corresponding to the some formation content of the described nozzle of the view data after the described N value processing with data; With

Print member, it, is printed on described image on the described medium by described printhead according to described printing data; Wherein

Described error diffusion parts are according to described nozzle information, to each described pixel data of choosing, from described error diffusion matrix memory unit, select the error diffusion matrix of regulation, according to this error diffusion matrix of choosing, with described error diffusion to not carrying out the pixel data that described N value is handled.

According to this formation, obtain parts by view data, can obtain the view data of the pixel value of (M 〉=3) value that has M, by the nozzle information memory unit, but the nozzle information of the characteristic of storage representation nozzle, by the error diffusion matrix memory unit, but memory error is to the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio of the pixel data diffusion of diffusion object, by the pixel data selection parts, can select the determined pixel data in the described view data, by N value processing unit, carrying out the N value handles, the pixel value of the M shown in the pixel data that is about to choose (M 〉=3) value is transformed to the processing of N (M＞N 〉=2) value, by the error diffusion parts, can be with the value of the pixel data chosen, with the difference of the value of this pixel data of choosing after the N value is handled as error, according to error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is treated to untreated pixel data to the N value in the view data, the pixel value of update image data, generate parts by printing with data, can generate to print and use data, this printing has stipulated that with data the point about the nozzle of the view data after handling corresponding to the N value forms the information of content, pass through print member, can use data according to printing, utilize printhead, image is printed in the medium.

In addition, the error diffusion parts can be according to described nozzle information, to each described pixel data of choosing, from described error diffusion matrix memory unit, select the error diffusion matrix of regulation, according to this error diffusion matrix of choosing, with described error diffusion to not carrying out the pixel data that described N value is handled.

Therefore, for example bad because of the ejection of the printing ink in the nozzle in reduction, or the nozzle it ' flight buckling phenomenon ' of the formation position deviation ideal position of point waits generation, ' the informal voucher lines ' or ' dense striped ' that ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that causes mainly due to the characteristic of nozzle causes etc. are printed under the situation of image quality aggravation, or the γ characteristic that reduces the point that forms because of nozzle ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that cause ' the informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' that cause waits the situation of printing image quality aggravation etc. to descend, occurrence cause to each ribbon phenomenon, suitably switch to the error diffusion matrix of the kind of the generation that is suitable for avoiding the ribbon phenomenon, carry out error diffusion and handle, so obtain can the occurrence cause of each ribbon phenomenon suitably being reduced the effect that ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' that ' ribbon phenomenon ' cause waits the printing image quality aggravation.

At this, so-called above-mentioned point is meant from the printing ink bullet of one or more nozzle ejections falls formed 1 zone on the print media.In addition, much less, the area of ' point ' is not ' zero ', and has constant size (area), and each size exists multiple.But the point that forms behind the ejection printing ink may not just in time be round.For example,, its average diameter can be taken as a footpath forming under the situation of point with the shape beyond the circle such as ellipse, or hypothesis have with certain gauging China ink of ejection after the equivalent point of circle of area equal areas of the point that forms, the diameter of this equivalent point is taken as a footpath.In addition, as the scoring method of the different point of concentration, for example consider the different amount of the spray volume of the method for the point that the big or small same concentrations of impact point is different, the method that impacts the identical point that varies in size of concentration, the identical printing ink of concentration, utilize to beat again and make concentration diverse ways etc.In addition, establishing when bullet falls after 1 droplets of ink of 1 nozzle ejection is separated also is 1 point, but under the situation that the plural point from two nozzles or 1 nozzle front and back formation in time clings, establishes and form two points.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, above-mentioned view data obtains parts and obtains from the data of inputs such as optics print result fetch units such as scanner components, or it is passive or actively obtain the view data that is stored in the external device (ED) through networks such as LAN or WAN, or drive unit such as the CD driver that has through printing equipment, DVD driver obtains view data from recording mediums such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or obtains the view data that is stored in the storage device that printing equipment has.That is, in described obtaining, comprise input at least, obtain, receive and read.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, information, expression that said nozzle information storage part spare is stored the flight amount of bow of nozzle by all parts in all periods have or not the bad nozzle information such as information of ejection, also can store nozzle information in advance, or do not store nozzle information in advance, and when this printing equipment operation, pass through from storage nozzle information such as outside inputs.For example, before this printing equipment being sold as goods when dispatching from the factory etc., utilize optics print result fetch units such as scanner components etc., print result according to printhead, check the some formation location dislocation amount of the nozzle that constitutes this printhead or the ejection state of printing ink etc., this check result is stored in advance as nozzle information, or when the use of printing equipment, the same during with described dispatching from the factory, check to constitute the point formation location dislocation amount of nozzle of printhead or the ejection state of printing ink etc., store this check result, as nozzle information etc., so long as the timing of the state that can store when goods use then can be an arbitrary timing.In addition, also can be after printing equipment uses, for situation corresponding to the characteristic variations of this printhead, utilize optics print result fetch unit such as scanner components etc. regularly or in prescribed period of time, according to the print result of printhead, the point of checking this printhead of structure forms the ejection state of location dislocation amount or printing ink etc., with the data of this check result when dispatching from the factory etc., or cover and store after these data etc., upgrade nozzle information.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, the so-called information that forms content about the point of said nozzle, by at each pixel value of view data, essential information constitutes when forming point about the information of the size (for example large, medium and small 3 kinds is arbitrary) of the information that has or not point (utilizing nozzle to form, do not form a little) and the point when forming etc. by nozzle, only be under a kind of situation for example forming size, also can be only by about having or not information a little to constitute.

In addition, above-mentioned ' ribbon phenomenon ' as mentioned above, have because point forms the what is called ' flight buckling phenomenon ' that the nozzle of the desirable formation position of position deviation causes, in ' informal voucher line ', also in print result, produce the print defect of ' dense striped ' simultaneously, because the printing ink of nozzle such as does not spray at the inappropriate spray volume of printing ink, in print result, produce the print defect of ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ', because the γ characteristic of the point that nozzle forms produces the print defect of ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' etc. in print result.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, this what is called ' informal voucher line ' for example is meant because ' flight buckling phenomenon ', after distance between the abutment points phenomenon wideer than predetermined distance produces continuously, the background color of print media is with the showy part of striated (zone), in addition, so-called ' dense striped ' is meant because identical ' flight buckling phenomenon ', after distance between the abutment points phenomenon shorter than predetermined distance produces continuously, cannot see the background color of print media, or since the distance between point shorten and relatively look dense, and the part of the points that all form with put normally overlap after this intersection with the showy part of dense striated (zone).In addition, sometimes owing to the few nozzle of quantity of ink produces the informal voucher line, on the other hand, sometimes owing to the many nozzles of quantity of ink produce dense striped.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, so-called above-mentioned ' error diffusion matrix ' is when in the N value is handled the pixel data of above-mentioned M value being transformed to the N value, difference (error) diffusion (distribution) of N value after the conversion and the M value before the conversion is treated to untreated pixel data when (usually it being called error-diffusion method) to the N value that is arranged in this pixel data periphery, the information (relative position information etc.) of the position (dispersal direction) of the pixel data that the pixel data that holds expression diffusion object is relatively should diffusion first, the diffusion object is the matrix of the information etc. of the diffusion ratio of each pixel data relatively, has the shape of matrix, the various error diffusion matrixs that the size of matrix (quantity of diffusion object) diffusion ratio etc. has nothing in common with each other.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

At this, so-called above-mentioned dispersal direction is, for example based on the direction of the weight vectors of gazing at pixel (selection pixel) of error diffusion matrix.For this weight vectors is described, at first set basic vector.Shown in Figure 22 (a), be made as initial point (0,0) at the coordinate that will gaze at pixel, the coordinate that to gaze at the right neighbour's of pixel pixel is made as (1,0), when the coordinate that will gaze under the pixel adjacent pixel is made as (0,1), gazes at the basic vector of pixel and can represent (also being shown among Figure 22 (a)) by following formula (1) and (2).

\overset{&RightArrow;}{a} = (1,0) . . . (1)

\overset{&RightArrow;}{b} = (0,1) . . . (2)

At this, the error diffusion matrix according to Figure 22 (b) come shown in N value Figure 22 (a) gaze at pixel the time, calculate the pixel value of gazing at pixel after the N value and the difference of the pixel value of gazing at pixel before the N value, as error, according to the weighting of the stipulating (quality of gazing at pixel among relative Figure 22 (b) by the error diffusion matrix of Figure 22 (b), be recited as respectively right adjacent, down adjacent a, left side tiltedly down and the numerical value in the right tiltedly following quality), with this error diffusion to the pairing neighboring pixel of stipulating by error diffusion matrix in position.Ratio (being recorded in the numerical value in each quality) when being diffused into this neighboring pixel is called the error diffusion ratio.

Weight vectors is the vector that multiply by described each weighting to basic vector, shown in Figure 22 (c) to the weight vectors of pixel (1)～(4) respectively as shown in the formula shown in (3)～(6).Promptly establishing the vector that multiply by the weighting ' 7/16 ' of the pixel (1) shown in Figure 22 (b) to basic vector is the weight vectors of following formula (3), equally, the vector that multiply by the weighting ' 3/16 ' of pixel (2) is the weight vectors of following formula (4), the vector that multiply by the weighting ' 5/16 ' of pixel (3) is the weight vectors of following formula (5), and the vector that multiply by the weighting ' 1/16 ' of pixel (4) is the weight vectors of following formula (6).

In addition, the direction of the summation (weight vectors of error diffusion matrix integral body) of the weight vectors shown in following formula (3)～(6) shown in the following formula (7) expression is above-mentioned dispersal direction.

= 5 / 16 \overset{&RightArrow;}{a} + 9 / 16 \overset{&RightArrow;}{b}

. . . (7)

In addition, constituting above-mentioned reverse direction and be the direction that the weight vectors of the error diffusion matrix integral body shown in the following formula (7) represents becomes diametical direction, refer to error diffusion matrix integral body to the weight vectors of gazing at pixel and and its diametical weight vectors between set up the relation of following formula (8).

\overset{&RightArrow;}{M'} = α \overset{&RightArrow;}{M}

(α is the constant of bearing) (8)

That is, the weight vectors of upper quadrant (7) multiply by vector after the negative constant alpha becomes direction vector and becomes diametical weight vectors.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

[mode 2] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 2 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment of mode 1:

Described nozzle information comprises the bad nozzle flame of ejection of described nozzle being represented to have or not printing ink.

According to this formation, can discern easily and have the bad nozzle of printing ink ejection, so by preparing to be suitable for avoiding because the error diffusion matrix of ' ribbon phenomenon ' that ' ejection of printing ink is bad ' produces, suitably select this error diffusion matrix also to carry out error diffusion and handle, obtain suitably to reduce the effect that ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' that ' ejection of printing ink is bad ' cause for ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that produces reason waits the deterioration of printing image quality.

At this, the ejection of so-called printing ink is bad be the spray volume deficiency that can not spray printing ink, printing ink, printing ink spray volume too much, printing ink can not be ejected into the state that desirable position etc. can not spray printing ink ideally.

In addition, owing to can detect nozzle and have or not the printing ink ejection bad by for example being assemblied in ccd sensor in the printing equipment, so can generate the bad information of ejection that expression has or not printing ink according to this testing result.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

[mode 3] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 3 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment of mode 2:

The reality that described nozzle information comprises the described point of described nozzle forms the information of position and the magnitude of misalignment of the ideal formation position of this point.

According to this formation, can discern easily that the desirable formation position of position deviation produces because of forming, the nozzle of the generation reason of so-called ' flight buckling phenomenon ', simultaneously, can hold the size of flight amount of bow, so by preparing to be suitable for avoiding because the error diffusion matrix of ' ribbon phenomenon ' that ' flight buckling phenomenon ' produces, suitably select this error diffusion matrix also to carry out error diffusion and handle, obtain suitably to reduce the effect that ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' that ' flight buckling phenomenon ' cause for ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that produces reason waits the deterioration of printing image quality.

[mode 4] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 4 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment of mode 1～3:

Described error diffusion matrix, comprise oblique heavy error diffusion matrix as error diffusion matrix, its for the corresponding pixel of the described pixel data of choosing, make the diffusion ratio of described error to the pairing pixel data of diffusion subject pixels on the tilted direction that is positioned at the direction of selecting pixel and the direction beyond its vertical direction, the diffusion ratio of pixel data of comparing the diffusion object beyond the described tilted direction is big.

According to this formation, can carry out the error diffusion processing of the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix of propagated error more strongly to the pixel data that is disposed on the tilted direction in the view data, because changing, the contrast of tilted direction visually is difficult to perception, so should tiltedly weigh error diffusion matrix by using, carry out error diffusion and handle, can be reduced because the error diffusion of this part is handled the effect of the image quality aggravation that produces.

[mode 5] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 5 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment of mode 4:

Described error diffusion parts, in described error is in the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of nozzle more than the ormal weight and near the pairing pixel data of at least one side of the nozzle it to described magnitude of misalignment, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, can to produce owing to the flight buckling phenomenon in the pairing image section of nozzle of ribbon phenomenon, be disposed at the pixel data on the tilted direction, carry out the error diffusion processing of the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix of propagated error more strongly, thus, can obtain following effect, promptly eliminate because ' the informal voucher line ' and ' dense striped ' that ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that ' flight buckling phenomenon ' produces causes or unshowy basically, simultaneously, can reduce the image quality aggravation of handling generation because of error diffusion.

[mode 6] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 6 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment of mode 4 or 5:

Described error diffusion parts, described error to DIFFUSION TREATMENT with the bad nozzle of printing ink ejection and near the pairing pixel data of at least one side of the nozzle it in, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, can to owing in the bad pairing image section of nozzle that produces the ribbon phenomenon of ejection, be disposed at the pixel data on the tilted direction, carry out the error diffusion processing of the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix of propagated error more strongly, thus, can obtain following effect, promptly eliminate because ' the informal voucher line ' and ' dense striped ' that ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that ' flight buckling phenomenon ' produces causes or unshowy basically simultaneously, can reduce the image quality aggravation of handling generation because of error diffusion.

[mode 7] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 7 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment of mode 3～5:

Described N value processing unit will have that pixel value that the bad pairing pixel data of nozzle of printing ink ejection has is transformed to the least concentration value or near the value of least concentration value,

Described error diffusion parts, with the difference of the pixel value of the pixel value of the pixel data before the described conversion and the pixel data after the described conversion as described error, use described error diffusion matrix, with around the pixel data of this error diffusion after the described conversion, do not carry out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, because when can not form a little at the nozzle bad to ejection with printing ink, its pixel value is arrived the pixel data of periphery as error diffusion, so for pixel data with the bad pairing part of nozzle of ejection, pixel data around can utilizing compensates the gray value of this part, so obtain can preventing to spray because of the printing ink of nozzle the loss of the area gray scale of bad generation.

At this, so-called above-mentioned least concentration value is the minimum value of concentration in the gray value scope of image, under the situation of the gray scale of coming represent images with 8 (0～255),, then for example be ' 255 ' for example if pixel value is a gray value, on the other hand, if concentration value then is ' 0 '.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

In addition, so-called value near above-mentioned least concentration value be the people part see behind the image can not its position of perception concentration value.For example, under the situation of the point that forms this concentration value, form undersized points such as minimum dot size or inferior small size.Below, about the mode of ' printing equipment control program ', about the mode of ' printing equipment control method ', about the mode of ' print and use data generating device ', about the mode of ' print and use data generator ', about the same in the mode of ' printing data creation method ' and the record about the mode of ' having write down the recording medium of described program ', the best mode hurdle of the usefulness that carries out an invention etc.

[mode 8] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 8 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment of mode 1～7:

Described printhead is to make described nozzle across with equal zone, the installation region of described medium or than the scope of described installing zone field width and continuously arranged printhead.

According to this formation, as mentioned above, can obtain following effect, promptly can generate ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' unshowy effective printing data so-called ' the ribbon phenomenon ' that is easy to generate especially when using the line head dummy that finishes to print in 1 path to print caused.

[mode 9] in addition, the printing equipment of mode 9 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment of mode 1～7:

Described printhead is that the direction of the paper feeding direction quadrature of an edge and described medium moves the printhead that printing is carried out on the limit.

Described ribbon phenomenon is obviously seen under the situation of line head dummy printhead, but is also produced under the situation of multi-pass type printhead.Therefore, if arbitrary Method of printing of described mode 1～7 is applicable under the situation of multi-pass type printhead, then obtain following effect, promptly can generate ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' unshowy effective printing data that the ribbon phenomenon that the multi-pass type printhead is produced is caused.

In addition, under the situation of multi-pass type printhead, by implementing the operations such as scanning of duplicate printing head, can avoid described ribbon phenomenon, but if be suitable for arbitrary printing equipment of aforesaid way 1～7, then needn't make printhead several times, so also can realize printing more at a high speed in the scanning of same position.

[mode 10] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the printing equipment control program of mode 10 is used to control printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that: comprise and be used to allow computer carry out the program of the processing that following steps constitute:

View data obtains step, obtains the view data of the pixel value of (M 〉=3) value that has M;

The pixel data selection step is selected the determined pixel data in the described view data;

N value treatment step carries out the N value and handles, and the pixel value that is about to the M shown in the described pixel data of choosing (M 〉=3) value is transformed to the processing of N (M＞N 〉=2) value;

The error diffusion step, with the value of the described pixel data of choosing, with the difference of the value of this pixel data of choosing after described N value is handled as error, according to error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is not carried out the pixel data that described N value is handled in the described view data, upgrade the pixel value of described view data;

Printing generates step with data, generate to print and use data, and this printings has been stipulated about the information corresponding to the some formation content of the described nozzle of the view data after the described N value processing with data; With

Printing step according to described printing data, by described printhead, is printed on described image on the described medium;

In described error diffusion step, nozzle information according to the described nozzle characteristic of expression, from having stored error to the error diffusion matrix memory unit of the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio that the pixel data of diffusion object spreads, to each described pixel data of choosing, select the error diffusion matrix of regulation, according to this error diffusion matrix of choosing, with error diffusion to not carrying out the pixel data that described N value is handled.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 1.

In addition, most of printing equipment that existing markets such as ink-jet printer are sold is equipped with the computer system that central processing unit (CPU) or storage device (RAM, ROM), input/output unit etc. constitute, use this computer system, utilize software to realize each part mentioned above, so compare with the situation that realizes above-mentioned each parts behind the software of making special use, can economical and easily realize.

[mode 11] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 11 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control program of mode 10:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 2.

[mode 12] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 12 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control program of mode 10:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 3.

[mode 13] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 13 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment control program of mode 10～2:

Described error diffusion matrix comprises the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix as error diffusion matrix, its for the corresponding pixel of the described pixel data of choosing, make the diffusion ratio to the described error of the pairing pixel data of diffusion object pixels on the tilted direction that is positioned at the direction of selecting pixel and the direction beyond its vertical direction, the diffusion ratio of pixel data of comparing the diffusion object beyond the described tilted direction is big.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 4.

[mode 14] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 14 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control program of mode 13:

In described error diffusion step, in described error is in the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of nozzle more than the ormal weight and near the pairing pixel data of at least one side of the nozzle it to described magnitude of misalignment, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 5.

[mode 15] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 15 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control program of mode 13 or 14:

In described error diffusion step, described error to DIFFUSION TREATMENT with the bad nozzle of printing ink ejection and near the pairing pixel data of at least one side of the nozzle it in, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 6.

[mode 16] in addition, the printing equipment control program of mode 16 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment control program of mode 12～14:

In described N value treatment step, will have that pixel value that the bad pairing pixel data of nozzle of printing ink ejection has is transformed to the least concentration value or near the value of least concentration value,

In described error diffusion step, with the difference of the pixel value of the pixel value of the pixel data before the described conversion and the pixel data after the described conversion as described error, use described error diffusion matrix, with around the pixel data of this error diffusion after the described conversion, do not carry out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 7.

[mode 17] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the recording medium of the embodied on computer readable of the storage print apparatus control program of mode 17 is characterised in that, arbitrary printing equipment control program of recording mode 10～16.

Thus, can when obtaining the effect and effect the same, easily transmit described print routine through recording mediums such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, MO with arbitrary printing equipment control program of mode 10～16.

[mode 18] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the printing equipment control method of mode 18 is used to control printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that: described method comprises:

Printing step according to described printing data, by described printhead, is printed on described image on the described medium; Wherein

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 1.

[mode 19] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 19 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control method of mode 18:

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 2.

[mode 20] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 20 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control method of mode 18:

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 3.

[mode 21] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 21 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment control method of mode 18～20:

Described error diffusion matrix comprises the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix as error diffusion matrix, its for the corresponding pixel of the described pixel data of choosing, make the diffusion ratio of described error to the pairing pixel data of diffusion subject pixels on the tilted direction that is positioned at the direction of selecting pixel and the direction beyond its vertical direction, the diffusion ratio of pixel data of comparing the diffusion object beyond the described tilted direction is big.

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 4.

[mode 22] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 22 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control method of mode 21:

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 5.

[mode 23] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 23 is characterized in that with regard to the printing equipment control method of mode 21 or 22:

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 6.

[mode 24] in addition, the printing equipment control method of mode 24 is characterized in that with regard to arbitrary printing equipment control method of mode 20～23:

In described error diffusion step, with the difference of the pixel value of the pixel value of the pixel data before the described conversion and the pixel data after the described conversion as described error, use described error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is sprayed in the bad pairing pixel data of the nozzle pixel data on every side, that do not carry out described N value processing to having described printing ink.

Thus, obtain the action effect that equates with the printing equipment of mode 7.

[mode 25] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the printing of using in the generation printing equipment of the mode 25 printing data generating device of data, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, with print image on described medium, it is characterized in that: possess

The error diffusion matrix memory unit, its memory error is to the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio of the pixel data diffusion of diffusion object;

The error diffusion parts, its value with the described pixel data of choosing, with the difference of the value of this pixel data of choosing after described N value is handled as described error, according to described error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is not carried out the pixel data that described N value is handled in the described view data, upgrade the pixel value of described view data; With

Printing generates parts with data, and it generate to be printed and use data, and this printings stipulated about the information corresponding to the some formation content of the described nozzle of the view data after the described N value processing with data,

Described error diffusion parts are according to described nozzle information, to each described pixel data of choosing, from described error diffusion matrix memory unit, select the error diffusion matrix of regulation, according to this error diffusion matrix of choosing, with error diffusion to not carrying out the pixel data that described N value is handled.

That is, this mode does not comprise described printing equipment etc. and in fact carries out the print member of printing usefulness, according to the view data of original M value, generates the printing data corresponding to the printhead characteristic.

Therefore, when can obtaining the effect and effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 1, for example can constitute by only sending the printing that generates in the manner and carry out print processing with this printing equipment of data cause to printing equipment, by this formation, can not prepare special-purpose printing equipment, and directly utilize the printing equipment of existing ink-jetting style.

In addition, owing to can utilize general information processor such as personal computer, so can directly be suitable for the existing print system of print instruction apparatus such as personal computer and ink-jet printer formation.

[mode 26] in addition, the printing of mode 26 with data generating device with regard to the printing of mode 25 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 2.

[mode 27] in addition, the printing of mode 27 with data generating device with regard to the printing of mode 25 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 3.

[mode 28] in addition, the printing of mode 28 with data generating device with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 25～27 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 4.

[mode 29] in addition, the printing of mode 29 with data generating device with regard to the printing of mode 28 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

In described error diffusion step, in described error is in the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of the pairing pixel data of at least one side of nozzle more than the ormal weight and near the nozzle it to described magnitude of misalignment, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 5.

[mode 30] in addition, the printing of mode 30 with data generating device with regard to the printing of mode 28 or 29 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 6.

[mode 31] in addition, the printing of mode 31 with data generating device with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 27～29 with regard to data generating device, it is characterized in that:

In described error mechanisms, with the difference of the pixel value of the pixel value of the pixel data before the described conversion and the pixel data after the described conversion as described error, use described error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is sprayed in the bad pairing pixel data of the nozzle pixel data on every side, that do not carry out described N value processing to having described printing ink.

Thus, obtain effect and the effect the same with the printing equipment of mode 7.

[mode 32] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the printing of using in the generation printing equipment of the mode 32 printing data generator of data, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium, it is characterized in that: comprise and be used to allow computer carry out the program of the processing that following steps constitute

Printing generates step with data, generate to print and use data, and this printings has been stipulated about the information corresponding to the some formation content of the described nozzle of the view data after the described N value processing with data;

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 25.

[mode 33] in addition, the printing of mode 33 with data generator with regard to the printing of mode 32 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

[mode 34] in addition, the printing of mode 34 with data generator with regard to the printing of mode 32 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 26.

[mode 35] in addition, the printing of mode 35 with data generator with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 32～34 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

Described error diffusion matrix, comprise oblique heavy error diffusion matrix as error diffusion matrix, its for the corresponding pixel of the described pixel data of choosing, make the diffusion ratio to the pairing pixel data of diffusion object pixels on the tilted direction that is positioned at the direction of selecting pixel and the direction beyond its vertical direction of described error, the diffusion ratio of pixel data of comparing the diffusion object beyond the described tilted direction is big.

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 28.

[mode 36] in addition, the printing of mode 36 with data generator with regard to the printing of mode 35 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 29.

[mode 37] in addition, the printing of mode 37 with data generator with regard to the printing of mode 35 or 36 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 30.

[mode 38] in addition, the printing of mode 38 with data generator with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 34～36 with regard to data generator, it is characterized in that:

According to this formation, if by the computer fetch program, computer is carried out according to the program that reads and is handled, and then obtains the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 31.

[mode 39] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the recording medium that the record of mode 39 is printed with the embodied on computer readable of data generator is characterised in that arbitrary printing data generator of recording mode 32～38.

Thus, can when obtaining the effect and effect the same with data generator, easily transmit described print routine through CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, FD recording mediums such as (floppy disks) with arbitrary printing of mode 32～38.

[mode 40] on the other hand, to achieve these goals, the printing of using in the generation printing equipment of the mode 40 printing data creation method of data, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, with print image on described medium, it is characterized in that: comprise

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 25.

[mode 41] in addition, the printing of mode 41 with data creation method with regard to the printing of mode 40 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 26.

[mode 42] in addition, the printing of mode 42 with data creation method with regard to the printing of mode 40 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 27.

[mode 43] in addition, the printing of mode 43 with data creation method with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 40～42 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 28.

[mode 44] in addition, the printing of mode 44 with data creation method with regard to the printing of mode 43 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 29.

[mode 45] in addition, the printing of mode 45 with data creation method with regard to the printing of mode 43 or 44 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 30.

[mode 46] in addition, the printing of mode 46 with data creation method with regard to the arbitrary printing of mode 42～44 with regard to data creation method, it is characterized in that:

In described N value treatment step, will have the pixel value that the bad pairing pixel data of nozzle of printing ink ejection has, be transformed to the least concentration value or near the value of least concentration value,

Thus, obtain the effect and the effect that equate with data generating device with the printing of mode 31.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the formation block diagram of expression printing equipment 100 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the figure that the hardware of expression computer system constitutes.

Fig. 3 is that ground plan is amplified in the part of the structure of expression printhead 200 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the local amplification profile of printhead.

Fig. 5 is the flow chart of the print processing of expression printing equipment 100.

Fig. 6 is that the printing of the printing equipment 100 in expression the 1st embodiment of the present invention generates the flow chart of handling with data.

Fig. 7 is the figure that only represents dot pattern one example that formed by the black nozzles module 50 of not having the crooked abnormal nozzle of the flight of producing.

Fig. 8 is the figure that nozzle N6 produces dot pattern one example that forms when flying buckling phenomenon in the expression black nozzles module 50.

Fig. 9 is the figure of dot pattern one example that forms when nozzle N6 has the ejection of printing ink bad (among the figure for not spraying) in the expression black nozzles module 50.

Figure 10 is the N value information of expression corresponding point size, to the figure of an example of the threshold information of each N value.

Figure 11 (a) is the figure of expression to the absolute ejection precision information (flight amount of bow information) of each nozzle, (b) is the figure of expression to the relative ejection precision information of each nozzle.

Figure 12 is the key diagram of the reason of the essential precision information of ejection relatively.

Figure 13 is the figure that have or not ejection bad (in figure be do not spray) of expression to each nozzle.

Figure 14 (a) is the figure of a configuration example of expression error diffusion matrix, (b) is the figure that expression is stored in the kind of the diffusion ratio of each error diffusion matrix among the error diffusion matrix storage part 11e and error diffusion matrix.

Figure 15 is that the printing in the expression printing equipment 100 generates the flow chart of handling with data.

Figure 16 is level (gradation) image that uses in the present embodiment.

Figure 17 is the common error diffusion matrix that uses among the embodiment.

Figure 18 is that expression uses error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 17 to come result's the figure of hierarchy chart picture of Figure 16 of 4 values.

Figure 19 is that expression uses error diffusion processing method of the present invention to come result's the figure of hierarchy chart picture of Figure 16 of 4 values.

Figure 20 (A)～(C) is the key diagram of the printing type difference of expression multi-pass type ink-jet printer and line head dummy ink-jet printer.

Figure 21 is the concept map of other example of the structure of expression printhead.

Figure 22 (a)～(c) is the key diagram of weight vectors.

Among the figure: the 100... printing equipment, 200... printhead, 10... view data obtaining section, use the data generating unit 11... print, 11a...N value portion, 11b...N value information storage part, 11c... error diffusion portion, 11d... nozzle information storage part, 11e... error diffusion matrix storage part, 11f... print with data generation memory, 12... printing portion, 60...CPU, 62...RAM, 64...ROM, 66... interface, 70... storage device, 72... output device, 74... input unit, 50... black nozzles module, 52... yellow nozzle module, 54... carmetta nozzle module, 56... blue-green nozzle module, S... print media (using paper), L... network cable, N... nozzle

The specific embodiment

[the 1st embodiment]

Below, with reference to description of drawings the 1st embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 1～Figure 14 is expression printing equipment of the present invention, printing equipment control program and printing equipment control method and prints with data generating device, prints with data generator and print figure with the 1st embodiment of data creation method.

The formation of printing equipment 100 of the present invention at first, is described with reference to Fig. 1.Fig. 1 is the formation block diagram of expression printing equipment 100 of the present invention.

Printing equipment 100 is printing equipments of line head dummy, as shown in Figure 1, constitutes and comprises: view data obtaining section 10, and it obtains the view data of M value (M 〉=3) from external device (ED) or storage medium etc.; Print with data generating unit 11, it is handled by the view data that obtains from view data obtaining section 10 being carried out N (M＞N 〉=2) value, generates to be used for the printing data that printing described later portion 12 prints to the image of view data print media (for example printing paper); With printing portion 12, it uses data according to printing, and by ink-jetting style, is printed on the image of view data on the print media.

View data obtaining section 10 for example have to each pixel obtain by 8 (0～255) show each look (R, G, B) gray scale (brightness value) the M value (at this moment, the function of view data 256 〉=M 〉=3), obtain this view data through networks such as LAN or WAN from external device (ED), or drive units such as the not shown CD driver that is equipped with through this device, DVD driver, obtain this view data from recording mediums such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or obtain this view data from the storage device described later 70 that this device has.In addition, be transformed to also performance simultaneously of data function after the RGB data of this M value of look conversion process corresponding to the CMYK (situations of 4 looks) of the M value of each printing ink of described printhead 200.

Printing constitutes with data generating unit 11, comprises: the N value 11a of portion, N value information storage part 11b, the 11c of error diffusion portion, nozzle information storage part 11d, error diffusion matrix storage part 11e and printing generate with data and use memory 11f.

The image data storage of the N value 11a of portion after with the conversion of above-mentioned CMYK look used memory 11f printing to generate with data, simultaneously, from this view data, select the pixel data of regulation, according to be contained in from the N value information that N value information storage part 11b reads, corresponding to the point of nozzle form size N value threshold value, form the some sequence number of size and corresponding to the pixel value after the N value of each point sequence number (for example brightness value) corresponding to each point, the above-mentioned determined pixel data of choosing of N value (below be called select pixel data).In addition, calculate the pixel value and the difference of the pixel value after the N value before the N value of selecting pixel data, it as error, is passed to the 11c of error diffusion portion with the information of selection pixel data.In addition, value after the N value becomes expression corresponding to the some sequence number of initial pixel value or form the numerical value ' 0 ' of point, after the data of the value of expression after this N value are transformed to printing portion 12 explainable data, cover and be stored in printing and generate with the initial pixel data among the memory 11f with data and store (also can not cover and be stored in other zone).

At this, so-called N value is transformed to the view data of M value (M 〉=3) (having M kind pixel value (pixel data)) processing of (having N kind numerical value) data of N (M＞N 〉=2), for example, under the situation of 2 values, compare original pixel value and the threshold value of conversion, the pixel value that conversion is original is transformed to the either party of two kinds of numerical value of prior setting, so that be that threshold value is when above, be numerical value ' 1 ',, be numerical value ' 0 ' than threshold value hour.Therefore, if the N value, the then relatively pixel value of M value and the threshold value of N kind corresponding to comparative result, are transformed to any of N kind numerical value of prior setting.

N value information storage part 11b as mentioned above, make it to store N value information, this N value information comprise corresponding to the point of nozzle form size N value threshold value, form the some sequence number of size and form corresponding to each point corresponding to the pixel value after the N value of each point sequence number (for example brightness value) etc.

The 11c of error diffusion portion, information and error according to the selection pixel data of obtaining from the N value 11a of portion, from nozzle information storage part 11d, read nozzle information corresponding to this selection pixel data, according to this nozzle information, whether judgement is abnormal nozzle corresponding to the nozzle of selecting pixel data, simultaneously, when being judged as when being abnormal nozzle, from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, select to read the special error diffusion matrix that is used to avoid the ribbon phenomenon that produces because of this abnormal nozzle, on the other hand, when being judged as is when not having unusual normal nozzles, reads common error diffusion matrix that normal nozzles is prepared (below be called common error diffusion matrix).Afterwards, use this error diffusion matrix of reading, with above-mentioned error diffusion (distribution) to be stored in printing with data generate with in the view data among the memory 11f, be treated to untreated pixel data corresponding to the pixel N value on every side of above-mentioned selection pixel data.Like this, when pixel data is selected in the N value, all pass through, update stored in printing and generate with the view data among the memory 11f with data with the pixel value of this error diffusion to the diffusion object.

At this, error diffusion is handled and is come propagated error by the principle the same with the existing error diffusion method, for example, be the boundary with threshold value ' 128 ', if pixel value is littler than ' 128 ', then the view data with above-mentioned N value is transformed to ' 0 ', if more than ' 128 ', then be transformed under the situation that ' 255 ' 2 values handle, be under ' 101 ' the situation at the pixel value of selecting pixel, will ' 101 ' be transformed to ' 0 ', with ' 0 ' after this conversion and conversion preceding ' 101 ' poor ' 101 ' as error, diffusion way according to the rules is diffused into its untreated a plurality of pixels on every side.For example, the right adjacent pixel (for example pixel value is ' 101 ') of selection pixel does not only satisfy in 2 common values are handled and the identical threshold value of selection pixel, so be transformed to ' 0 ', but by receiving as selecting for example ' 27 ' of pixel error, its pixel value becomes ' 128 ', be threshold value more than ' 128 ', be transformed to ' 1 ' thus.

In addition, so-called above-mentioned abnormal nozzle is that the nozzle etc. that has the formation position deviation ideal position of bad nozzle of printing ink such as the spray volume that can not spray printing ink, printing ink is unusual ejection or point and produce ' flight buckling phenomenon ' relates to the nozzle that the ribbon phenomenon produces.

Nozzle information storage part 11d stores nozzle information, the corresponding information of each pixel data in each nozzle that this nozzle information comprises the printhead 200 that expression printing portion 12 has and the pixel data, represents the bad information of the ejection that has or not printing ink of each nozzle, the flight amount of bow etc. of representing each nozzle N are represented the information of the characteristic of nozzle N.By according to this nozzle information, whether investigation produces the flight buckling phenomenon to each the nozzle N in the printhead 200, whether to have an ejection bad, can judge whether each nozzle N is abnormal nozzle, simultaneously, specifically specific exceptions nozzle N be in the printhead 200 which nozzle or corresponding to which pixel data in the view data etc.

Error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, store predetermined the information, error of pixel data of diffusion object to the matrix data of the diffusion ratio of each pixel data of this diffusion object etc., be the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio in the present embodiment.

At this, in the present embodiment, as multiple error diffusion matrix, this is selected the pairing pixel of pixel data, the pairing pixel data of diffusion object pixels that storage relatively is positioned at tilted direction becomes big multiple oblique heavy error diffusion matrix with pixel data, the diffusion ratio of other diffusion object, with the error diffusion processing of the selection pixel data that is used to relate to the ribbon phenomenon, in addition, also store multiple common error diffusion matrix, to be used for not relating to the pixel data of ribbon phenomenon.

Printing generates with data and uses memory 11f, storage has the view data of the CMYK look information that obtains from view data obtaining section 10, simultaneously, corresponding instruction from the N value 11a of portion, cover initial pixel data and storage with the selection pixel data after the N value, simultaneously, corresponding to instruction, with the pixel data covering of the diffusion object after the error of diffusion selection pixel data initial pixel data and storage from the 11c of error diffusion portion.Like this, handle by implementing N value processing and error diffusion successively, upgrade initial pixel data, thus the final whole pixel datas of N value from the view data that view data obtaining section 10 obtains, and on memory, generate printing portion 12 explainable data, promptly print and use data.The printing that utilizes in the printing portion 12 that these printing data are ink-jetting styles described later with data, promptly about whether to each pixel data in the view data form the look of regulation and regulation size point and whether form the data of point.

Fig. 3 is that ground plan is amplified in the part of the structure of expression printhead 200 of the present invention.Fig. 4 is its local amplification profile.

As shown in Figure 3, this printhead 200 constitutes and comprises: 4 nozzle modules 50,52,54 and 56, and promptly the black nozzles module 50, and shape is arranged in a straight line will to spray a plurality of nozzle N (among the figure being 18) of black (K) printing ink specially along the nozzle arrangement direction; Yellow nozzle module 52, a plurality of nozzle N that will spray yellow (Y) printing ink specially shape that is arranged in a straight line equally along the nozzle arrangement direction; Carmetta nozzle module 54, a plurality of nozzle N that will spray carmetta (M) printing ink specially shape that is arranged in a straight line equally along the nozzle arrangement direction; With blue-green nozzle module 56, a plurality of nozzle N that will spray blue-green (C) printing ink specially shape that is arranged in a straight line equally along the nozzle arrangement direction.In addition, one is arranged nozzle module 50,52,54,56 and is constituted, and the nozzle N that makes each same sequence number in these 4 nozzle modules arranges point-blank along Print direction (perpendicular to the direction of nozzle arrangement direction) as shown in Figure 3.Therefore, a plurality of nozzle N that constitute each nozzle module are respectively along the nozzle arrangement direction shape that is arranged in a straight line, and the nozzle N of each same sequence number in 4 nozzle modules is respectively along the Print direction shape that is arranged in a straight line.

In addition, Fig. 4 is expressed as follows state, be in the black nozzles module 50 in these 4

nozzle modules

50,52,54 and 56, several the 6th nozzle N6 produce the flight buckling phenomenon from a left side, spray printing ink from this nozzle N6 along tilted direction to print media S, thus, being formed at point on the print media S is formed near the ejection of the normal nozzles N7 this nozzle N6 and is formed near the point on the print media S.

Printing portion 12 is printers of ink-jetting style, with the limit one side or the both sides of print media S shown in Figure 4 or printhead 200 are moved, the limit is from being formed at the described nozzle module 50 of described

printhead

200,52,54 and 56 difference point-like ink jets, on described print media S, form the image that constitutes by a plurality of points, except that above-mentioned printhead 200, also can be by the not shown printhead connecting gear (situation of multi-pass type) that this printhead is moved back and forth at its width of print media S upper edge, be used to not shown paper advance mechanism that described print media (using paper) S is moved, the not shown printing controlling organization of controlling the printing ink ejection of printhead 200 with data according to described printing waits and constitutes.

In addition, this printing equipment 100 has computer system, realizes described view data obtaining section 10, prints with above-mentioned each functions such as data generating unit 11, printing portions 12 to use software, and carry out the software of the required hardware of the execution of above-mentioned each function of control.The hardware of this computer system constitutes as shown in Figure 2, various interior external bus 68 by formations such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or ISA (IndustrialStandard Architecture) buses connects the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 60 that the central arithmetic processing apparatus of various control exclusive disjunctions processing is taken in conduct, constitute the RAM (Random Access Memory) 62 of main storage means (Main Storage), with as between the ROM (Read Only Memory) 64 that reads special-purpose storage device, simultaneously, through input/output interface (I/F) 66, with external memories such as HDD (Secondary Storage) 70, printing portion 12 or CRT, output devices 72 such as LED monitor, guidance panel or mouse, keyboard, input units such as scanner 74, with be connected on this bus 68 with network cable L of not shown usefulness of communicating by letter such as print instruction apparatus etc.

In addition, if connect power supply, then be stored in system programs and the various computer dependent programs that are stored in advance among the ROM64 such as BIOS among the ROM64 etc., or through CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, floppy disk storage mediums such as (FD), or through the internet communication networks such as (internets), the various computer dependent programs that are installed in the storage device 70 are the same, be downloaded to RAM62, CPU60 is according to the instruction of putting down in writing in the program that downloads among this RAM62, order about various resources, control that puts rules into practice and calculation process, thus on software, realize above-mentioned each function.

In addition, printing equipment 100 utilizes CPU60 to make to be stored in the established procedure in the regulation zone of ROM64 to start, according to this program, and the print processing shown in the flow chart of execution graph 5.In addition, as mentioned above, be used to form the point that a little printhead 200 generally can form the plurality of color of 4 looks and 6 looks etc. basically simultaneously, but for explanation easily in following example, be illustrated as any point and form (monochrome image) by the printhead 200 of arbitrary look (monochrome).

If carry out print processing, then as shown in Figure 5, at first move to step S100 by CPU600.

In step S100, view data obtaining section 10 is by the printing indication information of the external device (ED) that sends the network cable L that hangs oneself and connect, or through input unit 74 input printing indication informations, judge whether the indication of printing is arranged, being judged to be under the situation of printing indication (being), move to step S102, otherwise (denying), repeat determination processing, up to the indication of printing is arranged.

Under the situation that moves to step S102, in view data obtaining section 10, as mentioned above, execution obtains processing corresponding to the view data of printing indication from storage devices such as recording mediums such as external device (ED), CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, HDD 70 etc., judge thus and whether obtain view data, being judged to be under the situation about obtaining (be), move to step S104, otherwise (denying), after not printable grade is returned in printing indication source, abandon print processing, move to step S100 this printing indication.At this, view data is that the pixel data with a plurality of M values is arranged in the rectangular data that constitute, and its line direction is consistent with the nozzle arrangement direction of printhead 200, and its column direction is consistent with the Print direction of printhead 200.

Under the situation that moves to step S104, view data obtaining section 10 is to have under the situation of view data of the look information beyond the CMYK in the M value view data that step S102 obtains, this view data is transformed to view data with CMYK look information (below be called the CMYK view data), simultaneously, the image data transmission that will have CMYK look information gives printing with data generating unit 11, moves to step S106 afterwards.That is, have CMYK and carry out transmitting after the CMYK conversion, on the other hand, directly transmit the CMYK view data with the view data of exogenic color information.

In step S106, print with data generating unit 11 when view data obtaining section 10 obtains the view data of the CMYK look information with M value, this view data that obtains is implemented N value and error diffusion processing, generate to print and use data, and move to step S108.

In step S108, after the printing that printing generates step S106 with data generating unit 11 outputs to printing portion 12 with data, move to step S110.

In step S110, printing portion 12 carries out print processing according to from the printing data of printing with data generating unit 11, moves to step S100.

Below, with reference to Fig. 6, the printing that describes step S106 in detail generates with data to be handled.

Fig. 6 is that the printing of expression printing equipment 100 generates the flow chart of handling with data.

It is following processing that this printing generates processing with data, promptly when the selection pixel data is implemented N value processing, whether judgement is abnormal nozzle corresponding to the nozzle N of this selection pixel data, according to this judged result, from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, selection is suitable for the error diffusion matrix of the pairing pixel data of abnormal nozzle, and the error diffusion matrix that uses this to choose, the enforcement error diffusion is handled, use data according to having implemented the view data that these N value information and error diffusion are handled, generated to print, if in step S106, carry out, then as shown in Figure 6, at first move to step S200.

In step S200, the N value 11a of portion judges whether to obtain the CMYK view data from the M value of view data obtaining section 10, being judged as under the situation about obtaining (be), this CMYK image data storage that obtains is used among the memory 11f with the data generation in printing, move to step S202, otherwise (denying) continues determination processing, up to obtaining.

Under the situation that moves to step S202, the N value 11a of portion reads N value information from N value information storage part 11b, this N value information of reading is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62, thereby obtains this N value information, moves to step S204.

In step S204, the N value 11a of portion select to be stored in printing with data generate with in the CMYK view data among the memory 11f, the N value is treated to untreated pixel data, moves to step S206.

In step S206, the N value information that the N value 11a of portion obtains according to step S202, the selection pixel data that N value step S204 selects, simultaneously, with the value transform after this N value is the data of the soluble and spot size that the value representation nozzle after this N value is formed of printing portion 12, by the data after this conversion, update stored in printing and generate the selection pixel data of using the CMYK view data among the memory 11f with data, move to step S208.

In step S208, the N value 11a of portion is according to the result of N value among the step S206, calculate the pixel value before the N value of selecting pixel data and the difference of the pixel value after the N value, this is calculated the result as error, be transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion with the information of selecting pixel data, move to step S210.

In step S210, the 11c of error diffusion portion is if obtain sum of errors that step S208 the calculates information corresponding to the selection pixel data of this error from the N value 11a of portion, then from nozzle information storage part 11d, read corresponding to the nozzle information of selecting pixel data, this nozzle information of reading is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62, thereby obtain this nozzle information, move to step S212.After, for selecting pixel data, by the nozzle information of retrieval in the nozzle information from be stored in RAM62 at first corresponding to this selections pixel data, high speed is to the processing that obtains of the pixel data of use same nozzle information.

In step S212, the nozzle information that the 11c of error diffusion portion obtains according to step S210 judges whether corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data be abnormal nozzle, being judged to be under the situation of abnormal nozzle (be), move to step S214, otherwise (denying) moves to step S220.

Under the situation that moves to step S214, the 11c of error diffusion portion selects from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e and reads oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, moves to step S216.In the present embodiment, tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix as mentioned above, the multiple matrix data that the diffusion ratio is different is stored among the error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, as its system of selection, have from these a plurality of oblique heavy error diffusion matrixs and select pixel data to select at random, select in order, select suitable various systems of selection such as matrix corresponding to the state of selecting the pairing abnormal nozzle of pixel to each.

In step S216, the 11c of error diffusion portion is interior according to the error diffusion matrix of selecting among step S214 or the step S220, with the error diffusion of the selection pixel data obtained among the step S210 to be stored in printing with data generate with among the memory 11f, the N value of spreading object is treated to untreated pixel data, upgrade the pixel data of these diffusion objects, move to step S218.

In step S218, judge that in the N value 11a of portion whether whole pixel datas being finished the N value handles, being judged to be under the situation of end (be), finish a succession of processing, return to initial processing, otherwise (denying) moves to step S204.

On the other hand, in step S212, not abnormal nozzle and move under the situation of step S220 at the nozzle that is judged as corresponding to selecting pixel data, in the 11c of error diffusion portion, from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, select to read common error diffusion matrix, move to step S216.In the present embodiment, usually error diffusion matrix as mentioned above, the multiple matrix data that the diffusion ratio is different is stored among the error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, as its system of selection, have from these a plurality of error diffusion matrixs to each select pixel data selection corresponding to the matrix of each pixel data, select at random, various systems of selection such as select progressively in accordance with regulations.

Below, with reference to Fig. 7～Figure 14, the action of present embodiment is described.

At this, Fig. 7 is the figure that only represents dot pattern one example that formed by the black nozzles module 50 that does not have so-called abnormal nozzle, and Fig. 8 is the figure of dot pattern one example that forms when nozzle N6 produces the flight buckling phenomenon in the expression black nozzles module 50.In addition, Fig. 9 is the figure of dot pattern one example that forms when nozzle N6 has the ejection of printing ink bad (among the figure for not spraying) among the expression black nozzles module 50.In addition, Figure 10 be the N value information of expression corresponding point size, to the figure of an example of the threshold information of each N value.In addition, Figure 11 (a) is the figure of expression to the absolute ejection precision information (flight amount of bow information) of each nozzle, (b) is the figure of expression to the relative ejection precision information of each nozzle.In addition, Figure 12 is the key diagram that must spray the reason of precision information relatively, and Figure 13 is the figure that have or not ejection bad (in figure be do not spray) of expression to each nozzle.In addition, Figure 14 (a) is the figure of a configuration example of expression error diffusion matrix, (b) is the figure that expression is stored in the kind of the diffusion ratio of each error diffusion matrix among the error diffusion matrix storage part 11e and error diffusion matrix.

As shown in Figure 7, the dot pattern that is formed by the black nozzles module 50 that does not have abnormal nozzle does not produce the ribbon phenomenon that misplaces at interval and produce because of ' informal voucher line ' or nozzles such as ' dense stripeds ' as above-mentioned.

On the other hand, with regard to the print result that comprises the black nozzles module 50 that produces the crooked nozzle of flight, as shown in Figure 8, the point side that the point that is formed by nozzle N6 forms at its right adjacent normal nozzles N7, only misplace apart from a, as a result, between the point that the point that is formed by nozzle N6 and its left side neighbour's nozzle N5 forms, produce ' informal voucher line '.

On the other hand, use not using black nozzles module 50 under the situation corresponding to the

nozzle module

52,54 of other look and 56, as mentioned above, because flight is crooked, nozzle N6 misplaces apart from a, thereby nozzle N6 and its right adjacent nozzle N7 gap are from a, because distance between the two becomes near, so the density of the point that these nozzles form uprises (having time point to overlap), this part becomes ' dense striped ' and showy, the quality of printing thing is extremely worsened.

In addition, as shown in Figure 9,, between the point of nozzle N5 and nozzle N7 formation, produce ' informal voucher line ' because the printing ink of nozzle N6 ejection bad (not spraying) does not form the former point that should form.

Above-mentioned ' informal voucher line ' is the printing thing of printing with the same concentration of what is called, and is under the situation of the extremely different combination of black isoconcentration at printing paper for white, printing ink, and be showy more significantly, and the quality of printing thing is extremely worsened.

Therefore, in the printing equipment 100 of embodiments of the present invention, by to the nozzle that constitutes the crooked reason of flight or have the bad nozzle of ejection, be the pairing pixel data of abnormal nozzle, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix to carry out error diffusion and handle, can generate and not make ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' showy printing data.

At first, in the printing equipment 100 when receiving (step S100) when printing indication information from external device (ED) etc. in the view data obtaining section 10, from obtain view data (step S102) as part device outside the transmission source of printing indication information etc. corresponding to the M value of this printing indication information, look information in this view data that obtains is under the CMYK situation in addition, be transformed to the CMYK view data of M value, on the other hand, the CMYK image data transmission is given printing data generating unit 11 (step S104).On the other hand, print with data generating unit 11, carry out and print the generation processing (step S106) of using data when when view data obtaining section 10 obtains the CMYK view data.

Print with the generation of data and handle, at first the 11a of N value portion obtains the CMYK view data from view data obtaining section 10, and with this CMYK image data storage that obtains print generate with memory 11f with data in (step S200), afterwards, from N value information storage part 11b, read N value information, this N value information of reading is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62 (step S200).

If obtain N value information, then the 11a of N value portion generates with in the CMYK view data the memory 11f with data from being stored in printing, select the N value to be treated to untreated pixel data (step S204), according to the above-mentioned N value information that obtains, the value of the selection pixel data of this M value of N value, simultaneously, with the value transform after this N value is that printing portion 12 is soluble, and the data of the some sequence number of the point that the value representation nozzle after this N value is formed, by the data after this conversion, update stored in printing and generate the selection pixel data (step S206) of using the CMYK view data among the memory 11f with data.

In the present embodiment, above-mentioned N value is under the situation of 8 ' 256 ' gray scales at the initial pixel value (brightness value (or concentration value)) of selecting pixel data, as shown in figure 10, when initial pixel value deficiency ' 32 ', its pixel value is reduced ' 0 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 7 ' of a sequence number, when initial pixel value is more than ' 32 ', not enough ' 63 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 36 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 6 ' of a sequence number, and, when initial pixel value is more than ' 64 ', not enough ' 96 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 73 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 5 ' of a sequence number.And, equally, when initial pixel value is more than ' 96 ', not enough ' 128 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 109 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 4 ' of a sequence number, when initial pixel value is more than ' 128 ', not enough ' 159 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 146 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 3 ' of a sequence number, when initial pixel value is more than ' 159 ', not enough ' 191 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 182 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 2 ' of a sequence number, when initial pixel value is more than ' 191 ', not enough ' 223 ' time, its pixel value is reduced ' 219 ', its N value is made as ' 1 ', when initial pixel value is ' 223 ' when above, its pixel value is reduced ' 255 ', its N value is made as corresponding to ' 0 ' of a sequence number.

In addition, described example is adopting under the situation of concentration value as pixel value for adopting the situation of brightness value as pixel value, gets the inverse value (for example deduct from ' 255 ' each brightness value after value) of each brightness value.

In addition, when the N value 11a of portion selects pixel data in the N value, calculate brightness value before the conversion of this selection pixel data, with conversion after the difference of the pairing brightness value of some sequence number, as error, this error calculated and the information of selecting pixel data are transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion (step S208).

On the other hand, the 11c of error diffusion portion is when obtaining the information of sum of errors selection pixel data from the N value 11a of portion, information according to this selection pixel data of obtaining, from nozzle information storage part 11d, read nozzle information, be stored in the regulation zone of RAM62 (step S210) corresponding to this selection pixel data.In addition, according to this nozzle information that obtains, judge whether corresponding to the nozzle of selecting pixel data be abnormal nozzle (step S212).

At this, in the present embodiment, come the determination processing of execute exception nozzle according to relative ejection precision information shown in the absolute ejection precision information shown in Figure 11 (a), Figure 11 (b) and the ejection information that has or not shown in Figure 13.

For example, according to Figure 11 (a), when the point that forms corresponding to the nozzle of selecting pixel data apart from not enough ' ± 4 microns of the flight amount of bow (definitely spraying precision) of ideal position ' time, if this nozzle does not spray printing ink, then be judged as ' it is crooked not have flight ', it is crooked that when above ', be judged as ' has flight when being ' ± 4 microns ', being judged as corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data is abnormal nozzle.

But, be ' ± 4 microns even if definitely spray precision ' more than, shown in Figure 11 (b), when corresponding to the ideal position of the nozzle N that selects pixel data be positioned at this nozzle N near difference (the relative precision that sprays) not enough ' 0 micron or the setting of ideal position of nozzle N+1 ' time, be judged as ' it is crooked not have flight '.

At this, as mentioned above, the judgement of not only using absolute ejection precision also to use relative ejection precision to carry out above-mentioned abnormal nozzle is because for example shown in Figure 12, all produce under the crooked situation of flight with same amount in the same direction at continuously arranged 3 nozzles, if for the pairing pixel data of these nozzles, use avoids the special error diffusion matrix (for example described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix) of ribbon to carry out error diffusion processing, the then image quality aggravation of possible print result.

In addition, have or not ejection information according to what the printing ink of expression nozzle shown in Figure 13 had or not ejection, when corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data have or not ejection information for ' 1 ' time, judge that this nozzle is not for spraying the abnormal nozzle of printing ink.On the other hand, when having or not ejection information to be ' 0 ',, then be judged as normal nozzles if this nozzle does not produce the flight bending.

As mentioned above, when being the judgment processing end of abnormal nozzle when whether, under the situation that is judged as being abnormal nozzle corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data (' being ' branch of step S212), then from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f, select tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix (step S214), on the other hand, being judged as corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data is (' deny ' branch of step S212), then selection common error diffusion matrix (step S220) from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f under the situation of normal nozzles.

At this, the error diffusion matrix of present embodiment is shown in Figure 14 (a), matrix for following diffusion content, promptly represent the diffusion ratio of error with x1～x4 respectively to 4 pixel datas of diffusion object, at this moment, for selecting pixel data (gazing among Figure 14 (a) pixel), pixel data propagated error with diffusion ratio ' x1 ' diffusion object to left down, pixel data propagated error with the diffusion object of diffusion ratio ' x2 ' under just, with the pixel data propagated error of diffusion ratio ' x3 ', with the pixel data propagated error of the adjacent to the right diffusion object of diffusion ratio ' x4 ' to the diffusion object of bottom right.

In addition, it is being under the situation of abnormal nozzle corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data that the selection of above-mentioned error diffusion matrix is handled, shown in Figure 14 (b), selection matrix ID from ID2, ID4, the heavy error diffusion matrix of ID8 icocline, on the other hand, be under the situation of normal nozzles corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data, selection matrix ID from common error diffusion matrix such as ID1, ID3, ID5-ID7.

In addition, correspond respectively to the numeric representation diffusion ratio of diffusion ratio x1-x4 among Figure 14 (b), for example, if the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix with ID2 is that example describes, then the diffusion ratio of the matrix of this ID2 for example shown in Figure 14 (b), is ' x1=1 ', ' x2=3 ', ' x3=7 ', ' x4=5 '.In addition, when the error of each pixel data calculated the diffusion object, ' 1+3+7+5=16 ' of these numerical value of addition as denominator, with x1-x4 numerical value separately on duty with error as molecule, calculated each propagated error (apportioning cost).Therefore, in error diffusion is handled, 1/16 of error is diffused into the pixel data corresponding to x1 shown in Figure 14 (a), 3/16 of error is diffused into pixel data corresponding to x2,7/16 of error is diffused into pixel data corresponding to x3,5/16 of error is diffused into pixel data corresponding to x5.That is, the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix of ID2 is to the pixel data propagated error 1/16 of bottom right as can be known, Duos the ground propagated error than other pixel data.On the other hand, for example, in the common error diffusion matrix of ID7, shown in Figure 14 (b), be ' x1=3 ', ' x2=1 ', ' x3=5 ', ' x4=7 ', the relatively common error diffusion matrix of ID7 and the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix of ID2, the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix one direction tilted direction of ID2 (lower right to) propagated error doughtily as can be known.This other oblique heavy error diffusion matrix and other common error diffusion matrix between too, tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix is compared with common error diffusion matrix, and the diffusion ratio of error is big for the pixel data (x1 among Figure 14 (a) or the pixel data of x3) of tilted direction.

In addition, at this, method as Select Error diffusion matrix from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f, as mentioned above, for example following method, promptly in a plurality of oblique heavy error diffusion matrix and a plurality of common error diffusion matrix from be stored in error diffusion matrix storage part 11f in advance, each is selected pixel data, select tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix or common error diffusion matrix at random.At this, the Select Error diffusion matrix is because carrying out error diffusion with the certain error diffusion matrix of same use compares at random, comes propagated error one side to obtain the good result of image quality of print result by the multiple error diffusion matrix of selecting at random.

As mentioned above, if to selecting the pixel data selection error diffusion matrix, then shown in Figure 14 (a), the diffusion ratio of setting with the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 14 (b) to selecting, with the above-mentioned error diffusion of calculating to for be stored in printing with data generate with the selections pixel data in the CMYK view data among the memory 11f (data of gazing at pixel among Figure 14 (a)), be arranged in the lower-left, just down, the pixel data of bottom right and right adjacent diffusion object, update stored in printing thus with the CMYK view data of data generation among the memory 11f.

Therefore, by the above-mentioned DIFFUSION TREATMENT among the 11c of error diffusion portion, the pixel value that will be positioned at the N value of selecting the pixel data periphery and be untreated pixel data is updated to the pixel value of the error that reflection produced by the N value.Below, for the untreated pixel data of renewal like this, carry out above-mentioned N value successively and handle according to the error diffusion of the error diffusion matrix of said nozzle Information Selection.

In addition, by carrying out above-mentioned N value and error diffusion processing (' being ' branch of step S218) to being stored in printing with whole pixel datas that data generate with the CMYK view data among the memory 11f, the generation that finishes to print with data is handled.Promptly, be stored in printing and become the data that the some sequence number that will form size corresponding to each point is transformed to the data of printing portion 12 explainable forms, become the printing data of the printhead 200 that can drive in the printing portion 12 with each pixel value that data generate with CMYK view data among the memory 11f, after N value and the error diffusion processing.

Therefore, print with data generating unit 11 when the printing with above-mentioned generation outputs to printing portion 12 with data, deletion is stored in printing and generates with the data (step S108) of the printing among the memory 11f with data.

On the other hand, printing portion 12 obtains from printing the printing data with 11 outputs of data generating unit, according to these printing data that obtain, use black nozzles module 50, on print media, form (printing) point (step S110) corresponding to the size of each point sequence number.

In addition, as the technical method of control point like this size, when for example using the mode of piezoelectric element (piezo actuator) in printhead, put on voltage on this piezoelectric element by change, the spray volume of control printing ink can easily be realized.

As mentioned above, by to implement using the error diffusion of above-mentioned oblique heavy error diffusion matrix to handle because abnormal nozzle produces the pixel data at the position of ribbon phenomenon, it is more showy to make the phenomenon that visually is identified as informal voucher line or dense striped compare the formation result of Fig. 8 or dot pattern shown in Figure 9.

In above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, view data obtaining section 10 obtains parts corresponding to the view data of mode 1 or 25, the M value pixel value that to select pixel data that N value 11a of portion and N value information storage part 11b carry out is transformed to the N value processing unit of the N value processing of N value corresponding to mode 1 or mode 25, the 11c of error diffusion portion is corresponding to

mode

1,5,6,25, arbitrary error diffusion parts of 29 and 30, nozzle information storage part 11d is corresponding to the nozzle information memory unit of mode 1 or mode 25, error diffusion matrix storage part 11e is corresponding to

mode

1,10,18,25, arbitrary error diffusion matrix memory unit of 32 and 40, the pixel data selection parts corresponding to mode 1 or mode 25 are handled in the selection of the unprocessed pixel data among the N value 11a of portion, the processing that the data with after the N value among the N value 11a of portion are transformed to the some sequence number of the point that the expression nozzle forms and printing portion 12 explainable data generates parts corresponding to the printing of mode 1 or 25 with data, and printing portion 12 is corresponding to the print member of mode 1.

In above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, step S102, S104 is corresponding to

mode

10,18, arbitrary view data of 32 and 40 obtains step, step S202, S206, S208 is corresponding to

mode

10,16,18,32,38 and 40 arbitrary N value processing and

mode

10,18, arbitrary printing of 32 and 40 generates step with data, step S204 is corresponding to

mode

10,18, arbitrary pixel data selection step of 32 and 40, step S210～S216, S220 is corresponding to

mode

10,14,15,16,18,22,23,32,36,37,40, arbitrary error diffusion step of 44 and 45, step S110 is corresponding to the printing step of mode 10 or mode 18.

[the 2nd embodiment]

Below, with reference to description of drawings the 2nd embodiment of the present invention.Figure 15 is expression printing equipment of the present invention, printing equipment control program and printing equipment control method and prints with data generating device, prints with data generator and print figure with the 2nd embodiment of data creation method.

The printing equipment of present embodiment is the same with Fig. 1, Fig. 2 of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment with the formation of computer system.In the present embodiment, the printing that the step S106 among Fig. 5 of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment is carried out generates with data and handles the processing that changes to Figure 15.

The printing of this Figure 15 is identical with above-mentioned the 1st embodiment with the generating principle that data generate processing, but be with the difference of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, do not carry out this N value to having the bad pairing selection pixel data of nozzle of printing ink ejection, with original pixel data value as error, use is stored in the special error diffusion matrix of avoiding ribbon among the error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, with this error diffusion in the pixel data of the diffusion object of periphery.Therefore, only illustrate below and the difference of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, omit explanation with above-mentioned the 1st embodiment repeating part.

Below, the printing that describes the step S106 in the present embodiment according to Figure 15 in detail generates with data to be handled.

Figure 15 is that the printing of expression printing equipment 100 generates the flow chart of handling with data.

It is following processing that this printing generates processing with data, judge promptly whether corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data be abnormal nozzle, at nozzle N is to produce under the situation of the crooked abnormal nozzle of flight, carry out the N value, calculate error, on the other hand, being to have under the situation of the bad abnormal nozzle of printing ink ejection, do not carry out the N value, and with the pixel value of initial pixel data as error, and according to described judged result, from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, select to be suitable for the error diffusion matrix of the pairing pixel data of abnormal nozzle, and the error diffusion matrix that uses this to choose, the enforcement error diffusion is handled, according to the view data of having implemented these processing, generate to print and use data, if in step S106, carry out, then as shown in figure 15, at first move to step S300.

In step S300, the N value 11a of portion judges whether to obtain the CMYK view data from the M value of view data obtaining section 10, being judged as under the situation about obtaining (be), this CMYK image data storage that obtains is used among the memory 11f with the data generation in printing, move to step S302, otherwise (denying) continues determination processing, up to obtaining.

Under the situation that moves to step S202, the N value 11a of portion reads N value information from N value information storage part 11b, this N value information of reading is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62, thereby obtains this N value information, moves to step S304.

In step S304, the N value 11a of portion select to be stored in printing with data generate with in the CMYK view data among the memory 11f, the N value is treated to untreated pixel data, moves to step S306.

In step S306, the N value 11a of portion reads from nozzle information storage part 11d corresponding to the nozzle information of selecting pixel data, and the nozzle information that this is read is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62, thereby obtains this nozzle information, moves to step S308.

In step S308, whether the nozzle information that the N value 11a of portion obtains according to step S306 is judged corresponding to having the ejection of printing ink bad among the nozzle N that selects pixel data, be judged to be under the ejection condition of poor (being), move to step S310, otherwise (denying) moves to step S318.

Under the situation that moves to step S310, to select the pixel value of pixel data to be transformed to least concentration value (for example concentration value ' 0 ' or brightness value ' 255 ') at the N value 11a of portion, the printing portion 12 explainable data that generation ' does not have a little ' corresponding to the expression of this least concentration value, data by this generation, update stored in printing and generate the selection pixel data of using the CMYK view data among the memory 11f with data, simultaneously, calculate the preceding pixel value of conversion and the difference of the pixel value after the conversion, as error, this error and the information of selecting pixel data (comprising the bad information of ejection that is expressed as) are transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion, move to step S312.

In addition, in the explanation of above-mentioned steps S310, it is the example of the least concentration value of ' not having a little ' that the pairing pixel data of point that explanation will have the bad nozzle of ejection to form is transformed among Figure 10, but be not limited thereto, so long as the local image of seeing print result, the spot size of the parts of images of people after can not this conversion of perception, even if then ' do not have a little ', the also variable brightness value that is changed to the scope of points such as formation point sequence number 1 for example shown in Figure 10 or some sequence number 2.

In step S312, the 11c of error diffusion portion is if obtain sum of errors that step S208 the calculates information corresponding to the selection pixel data of this error from the N value 11a of portion, then from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, select and read oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, move to step S314.

In step S314, at the error diffusion matrix of the 11c of error diffusion portion according to step S312 or step S324 selection, the error diffusion of the selection pixel data that step S312 or step S322 are obtained generates pixel data with the diffusion object in the view data among the memory 11f to being stored in printing with data, upgrade the pixel data of these diffusion objects, move to step S316.

In step S316, judge that at the N value 11a of portion whether whole pixel datas being finished the N value handles, being judged to be under the situation of end (be), finish a succession of processing, return to initial processing, otherwise (denying) moves to step S304.

On the other hand, in step S308, the ejection that does not have printing ink in corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data is bad and move under the situation of step S318, the N value information that obtains according to step S302, the selection pixel data that N value step S304 selects, simultaneously, with the value transform after this N value is the data of the spot size that printing portion is 12 explainable, expression forms, and update stored in printing by the data after this conversion and generate selection pixel data with the CMYK view data among the memory 11f with data, move to step S320.

In step S320, at the N value 11a of portion, result according to N value among the step S318, calculate the pixel value before the N value of selecting pixel data and the difference of the pixel value after the N value, this is calculated the result as error, be transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion with the information of selecting pixel data, move to step S322.

In step S322, at the 11c of error diffusion portion, according to the nozzle information that is stored among the RAM62, whether judgement is to produce the crooked abnormal nozzle of flight corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data, being judged to be is under the situation of abnormal nozzle (being), move to step S324, otherwise (denying) moves to step S326.

Under the situation that moves to step S324, from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, select to read oblique heavy error diffusion matrix at the 11c of error diffusion portion, move to step S314.

On the other hand, in step S322, being judged as corresponding to the nozzle of selecting pixel data is not abnormal nozzle and moving under the situation of step S326, selects to read common error diffusion matrix at the 11c of error diffusion portion from error diffusion matrix storage part 11e, moves to step S314.

Below, the action of present embodiment is described.

In the present embodiment, also as shown in Figure 8 in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, the point side that the point that is formed by the nozzle N6 of black nozzles module 50 forms at its right adjacent normal nozzles N7, only misplace apart from a, its result, between the point that the point that is formed by nozzle N6 and its left side neighbour's nozzle N5 forms, produce ' informal voucher line ', in addition, as shown in Figure 9, it is bad to produce the printing ink ejection among the nozzle N6 of black nozzles module 50, do not form the former point that should form, between the point of nozzle N5 and nozzle N7 formation, produce ' informal voucher line '.

Therefore, in the printing equipment 100 of embodiments of the present invention, to constituting the pairing pixel data of nozzle of the crooked reason of flight, carry out and the same processing of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, on the other hand, to have the ejection the bad pairing pixel data of nozzle do not carry out the N value, and with this pixel value itself as error, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix to carry out error diffusion and handle, can not make ' informal voucher line ' or ' dense striped ' showy printing data thereby can generate.

During the printing of present embodiment is handled with the generation of data, at first, the N value 11a of portion obtains the CMYK view data from view data obtaining section 10, this CMYK image data storage that obtains is used among the memory 11f (step S300) with the data generation in printing, afterwards, from N value information storage part 11b, read N value information, this N value information of reading is stored in the regulation zone of RAM62 (step S302).

If obtain N value information, then the 11a of N value portion generates with in the CMYK view data the memory 11f with data from being stored in printing, select the N value to be treated to untreated pixel data (step S304), from nozzle information storage part 11d, read the pairing nozzle information of this selection pixel data, be stored in the regulation zone of RAM62 (step S306).Whether afterwards, according to this nozzle information that obtains, have or not the bad information of ejection based on expression in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, shown in Figure 13 corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data, judging has the ejection of printing ink bad among this nozzle N (step S308).

Afterwards, in being judged to be, have under the ejection condition of poor corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data, the pixel value of this selection pixel data is transformed to least concentration value (for example brightness value ' 255 '), the printing portion 12 explainable data that generation ' does not have a little ' corresponding to the expression of this least concentration value, data by this generation, update stored in printing and generate the data of using the selection pixel data among the memory 11f with data, simultaneously, calculate the pixel value before the conversion of selecting pixel data and the difference of the pixel value after the conversion (brightness value ' 255 '), error as error diffusion is used is transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion (step S310) with this error and the information of selecting pixel data (comprise expression and have the bad information of ejection).

On the other hand, the 11c of error diffusion portion, if obtain the information (have ejection bad) of above-mentioned decay and above-mentioned selection pixel data from the N value 11a of portion, then from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f, select tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix (step S312), shown in the Figure 14 (a) in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, the diffusion ratio of setting with the oblique heavy error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 14 (b) to selecting, with above-mentioned error diffusion to generating with the selection pixel data in the CMYK view data among the memory 11f (data of gazing at pixel among Figure 14 (a)) with data for being stored in printing, be positioned at the lower-left, just down, in the pixel data of bottom right and right neighbour's diffusion object, update stored in printing thus and generate with the CMYK view data among the memory 11f (pixel data of diffusion object) with data.

In addition, in being judged to be the nozzle N that selects pixel data accordingly, do not spray under the condition of poor, then, the N value 11a of portion is according to the above-mentioned N value information that obtains, the N value should be selected pixel data, simultaneously, with the value transform after this N value is the data of the point sequence number of the soluble and some that the value representation nozzle after this N value is formed of printing portion 12, utilizes the data after this conversion to update stored in printing generates the CMYK view data among the usefulness memory 11f with data selection pixel data (step S318).In addition, calculate the brightness value and the error of the pairing brightness value of some sequence number after the conversion before the conversion of this selection pixel data, the information of this error of calculating and selection pixel data is transferred to the 11c of error diffusion portion (step S320).

Afterwards, the same at the 11c of error diffusion portion with above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, according to Figure 11 (a) and the absolute ejection precision information and relative ejection precision information shown in (b) corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data, judge whether this ejection N produces flight crooked (step S322), be judged as under the situation that produces the flight bending (' being ' branch of step S322), from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f, select tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix (step S324), on the other hand, being judged as corresponding to the nozzle N that selects pixel data is under the situation of normal nozzles (' deny ' branch of step S322), selection common error diffusion matrix (step S326) from error diffusion matrix storage part 11f.

Like this, if select to select relatively the error diffusion matrix of pixel data, then shown in Figure 14 (a), the diffusion ratio of setting with the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 14 (b) to selecting, with the above-mentioned error diffusion of calculating to for be stored in printing with data generate with the selections pixel data in the CMYK view data among the memory 11f (data of gazing at pixel among Figure 14 (a)), be arranged in the lower-left, just down, the pixel data of bottom right and right adjacent diffusion object, update stored in printing thus with the CMYK view data of data generation among the memory 11f.

In addition, by carrying out above-mentioned N value and error diffusion processing (' being ' branch of step S316) to being stored in printing with whole pixel datas that data generate with the CMYK view data among the memory 11f, the generation that finishes to print with data is handled.

As mentioned above, the pixel data that produces the position of ribbon phenomenon owing to the nozzle that produces the flight bending is implemented the N value and used the error diffusion of above-mentioned oblique heavy error diffusion matrix to handle, and do not handle carrying out the N value owing to the bad pixel data that produces the position of ribbon phenomenon of printing ink ejection, and replace pixel value with this pixel data as error, implement to use the error diffusion of above-mentioned oblique heavy error diffusion matrix to handle, it is more showy to make the phenomenon that visually is identified as informal voucher line or dense striped compare the formation result of Fig. 8 or dot pattern shown in Figure 9.

Promptly, in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment,, be that prerequisite is carried out the N value and error diffusion is handled also to form point even if to the pairing pixel data of the nozzle that does not expose printing ink, on the contrary, in the present embodiment, a little be prerequisite not form, do not carry out the N value, and, in order to compensate the part gray scale that does not form the pixel data of point, this pixel value that does not form pixel data a little itself as error, is diffused into unprocessed pixel data on every side with pixel data on every side.

In above-mentioned the 2nd embodiment, view data obtaining section 10 obtains parts corresponding to the view data of mode 1 or 25, the M value pixel value that to select pixel data that is undertaken by N value 11a of portion and N value information storage part 11b is transformed to the N value of N value and handles, corresponding to mode 1,7, arbitrary N value processing unit of 25 and 31, the 11c of error diffusion portion is corresponding to mode 1,5,7,25, arbitrary error diffusion parts of 29 and 31, nozzle information storage part 11d is corresponding to the nozzle information memory unit of mode 1 or mode 25, error diffusion matrix storage part 11e is corresponding to mode 1,10,18,25, arbitrary error diffusion matrix memory unit of 32 and 40, the pixel data selection parts corresponding to mode 1 or mode 25 are handled in the selection of the unprocessed pixel data of the N value 11a of portion, the data with after the N value of the N value 11a of portion are transformed to the some sequence number of the point of representing that nozzle forms and the processing of printing portion 12 explainable data, with generate expression to be transformed to after the least concentration value the selection pixel data it ' do not have a little ' and the processing of printing portion 12 explainable data, printing corresponding to mode 1 or 25 generates parts with data, and printing portion 12 is corresponding to the print member of mode 1.

In above-mentioned the 2nd embodiment, step S102, S104 is corresponding to

mode

10,16,18,24,32,38,40 and 46 arbitrary N value treatment step and

invention

mode

10,14,16,18,22,24,32,36,38,40, arbitrary error diffusion step of 44 and 46, step S110 is corresponding to the printing step of mode 10 or mode 18.

Refer again to Figure 16～Figure 19 embodiments of the invention are described.

At this, Figure 16 is the hierarchy chart picture that uses in the present embodiment.Figure 17 is the common error diffusion matrix that uses among the embodiment, and Figure 18 is that expression uses error diffusion matrix in the existing method shown in Figure 17 to come result's the figure of the hierarchy chart picture of 4 value Figure 16.Figure 19 is that expression uses error diffusion processing method of the present invention to come result's the figure of the hierarchy chart picture of 4 value Figure 16.

At first, the existing error method of diffusion is described.

In the existing error method of diffusion, under the situation of the right select progressively pixel data of left-hand of each row of view data, as shown in figure 17, to select right adjacent unprocessed pixel data of pixel and lower-left, just down and the unprocessed pixel data of bottom right etc. amount to 4 pixel data propagated errors.That is, the existing error method of diffusion is to the many errors of following direction diffusion of selecting pixel data.Utilize behind these existing method 4 value hierarchy chart pictures image as shown in figure 18.If be conceived to the image section 21a～21c in the hierarchy chart picture after 4 values shown in Figure 180, then because image section 21a has an error diffusion matrix that uses in 4 values dispersal direction is the characteristic of many ground of direction propagated error down, so do not switch the kind (multiple size is arranged) of the point when printing smoothly in point, produce the switching delay of some kind, so especially in the part of surrounding, can form a little to the inflow place to the lower right by circle.In addition, in image section 21b (half tint), because the reason the same with 21a, the multiple point that forms this part can evenly not mix, and produces the decline of image quality.In addition, in image section 21c, because the reason the same with 21a and 21b, especially in the part of being surrounded by circle, point can produce the conditions of streaking of so-called point to the lower right to inflow.

Each phenomenon that produces among above-mentioned enlarged image part 21a～21c all makes the image quality aggravation of hierarchy chart picture.

On the other hand, in error diffusion processing method of the present invention, the same with above-mentioned embodiment, for in the hierarchy chart picture of Figure 16, be judged as the pairing pixel data of some part of the nozzle formation of abnormal nozzle, from the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 14 (b), select tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix, carrying out error diffusion handles, carry out 4 values, and, from the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 14 (b), select common error diffusion matrix to being judged as the pairing pixel data of some part of the normal nozzles formation that does not have abnormal nozzle, the execution error diffusion is handled, and carries out 4 values.That is, use the error diffusion processing method the same to carry out 4 values with above-mentioned the 1st embodiment.The result of this 4 value as shown in figure 19.If be conceived to the image section 23a～23c in the hierarchy chart picture after 4 values shown in Figure 19, then with regard to image section 23a, compare with above-mentioned existing method, improved the switching delay of some kind, the dispersiveness of the some kind of shadow part improves, compare with the image section 21a of above-mentioned Figure 18, image quality improves.In addition, with regard to image section 23b, compare with above-mentioned existing method, multiple point evenly mixes, and compares with the image section 21b of above-mentioned Figure 18, and image quality improves.In addition, with regard to image section 23c, compare with above-mentioned existing method, improved the conditions of streaking of the point of high highlights, compare with the image section 21c of above-mentioned Figure 18, image quality improves.

In addition, printing equipment in the above-mentioned the 1st and the 2nd embodiment is characterised in that, basically do not apply parts to prior printing itself, the characteristic of mating its printhead, generate the printing data according to view data, so needn't prepare dedicated element especially as printing portion 20, the printer of existing ink-jetting style before can directly utilizing.In addition, if the printing equipment 100 from above-mentioned embodiment separates printing portions 12, then this function also can be only realized by the general printing indication terminal (print and use data generating device) of PC etc.

In addition, much less, the present invention is not only applicable to the flight buckling phenomenon, under the emission direction of printing ink departs from entopic result, formation for the formations content of the nozzle of vertical (normally) point is situation with the identical result of buckling phenomenon that flies, and also can be suitable equally.

In addition, printing equipment 100 in the above-mentioned the 1st and the 2nd embodiment is not only applicable to the ink-jet printer of line head type, also applicable to the ink-jet printer of multi-pass type, if the ink-jet printer of line head dummy even if then produce flight buckling phenomenon etc., also can obtain informal voucher line or the inconspicuous basically letter quality thing of dense striped by 1 path, in addition, if the ink-jet printer of multi-pass type is then owing to reducing the reciprocating action number of times, so flying print before comparable.

The printing type separately of Figure 20 (A)～(C) expression line head dummy ink-jet printer and multi-pass type ink-jet printer.

Shown in Figure 20 (A), be made as the main scanning direction of view data at cross direction with print media (the using paper) S of rectangle, length direction is made as under the situation of sub scanning direction of view data, the ink-jet printer of line head dummy is shown in Figure 20 (B), printhead 200 has the roomy little length of paper of this print media (using paper) S, fix this printhead 200, described print media (using paper) S is moved relative to this printhead 200 along sub scanning direction, finish printing with so-called 1 path (operation).In addition, also can be as so-called cab over type scanner, fixedly print media (using paper) S makes printhead 200 move along its secondary direction of carrying out, or both sides is moved respectively in opposite direction print.To this, the ink-jet printer of multi-pass type is shown in Figure 20 (C), the printhead 200 shorter slightly than the roomy little length of paper is positioned on the direction with the main scanning direction quadrature, make it several times along main scanning direction reciprocating action,, carry out thus and print along sub scanning direction mobile print media (using paper) S with prescribed distance.Therefore, under the situation of the latter's multi-pass type ink-jet printer, compare with the former ink-jet printer of line head dummy, the shortcoming that has the cost time-write interval, on the contrary, owing to can make printhead 200 repeat to be positioned at any part, thus can be in a way corresponding to alleviating of informal voucher line especially in the above-mentioned ribbon phenomenon.

In addition, in the above-mentioned the 1st and the 2nd embodiment, spraying the ink-jet printer that prints behind the printing ink with point-like is that example is illustrated, but the present invention also applicable to using wire to arrange other printing equipment of typewriting head of the mode of typewriting mechanism, for example is called a hot printer such as thermal transfer printer or thermal printer.

In addition, among Fig. 3, to each

nozzle module

50,52,54,56 of each look setting of printhead 200 for nozzle N along the length direction of this printhead 200 continuous mode of shape that is in line, but also can constitute as shown in figure 21, these each

nozzle modules

50,52,54,56 respectively by nozzle unit 50a, the 50b of a plurality of billets ... 50n constitutes, and it is arranged in the front and back of the moving direction of printhead 200.Especially if each

nozzle module

50,52,54,56 by nozzle unit 50a, the 50b of a plurality of billets ... 50n constitutes, then each

nozzle unit

50a, 50b ... between the actual point of 50n the distance (spacing) can not narrow down, so distance between can further shortening a little in fact is can be easily corresponding to the high resolution image.

In addition, in the above-mentioned the 1st and the 2nd embodiment, illustrate that the flight of selecting to avoid among the nozzle N is crooked and the printing ink ejection is bad and example that special error diffusion matrix (tiltedly heavy error diffusion matrix) that ribbon phenomenon that produce is used carries out the error diffusion processing, but be not limited thereto, other ribbons such as γ characteristic that for example also can prepare to be suitable for forming a little produce the error diffusion matrix that holds within reason, can produce reason at this other ribbon.

In addition, in the above-mentioned the 1st and the 2nd embodiment, with regard to the size of error diffusion matrix, the pixel count of diffusion object and the shape of matrix, illustrate and use these whole identical error diffusion matrixs to carry out the example of error diffusion, but be not limited thereto, also can prepare the multiple error diffusion matrix that the shape of size, the diffusion pixel count of object and the matrix of matrix has nothing in common with each other, for example crooked corresponding to flight, make the size of matrix, the pixel count of diffusion object and the shape variable of matrix, or, use the matrix of reduced size to carry out error diffusion to ribbon generation position.

In addition, in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, to the pixel data crooked and the bad pairing abnormal nozzle of ejection that flies, from the group of identical oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, select tiltedly heavy error diffusion, but be not limited thereto, also can constitute flight crooked with group, do not spray with group etc. and be suitable for the group that each ribbon phenomenon produces reason, should produce reason to each, the suitable error diffusion matrix of selection from each is organized.

In addition, in above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, to selecting the pairing nozzle N of pixel data whether to judge abnormal nozzle, at this nozzle N is under the situation of abnormal nozzle, use special error diffusion matrix, select error diffusion of pixel data to arrive unprocessed pixel data on every side this, but be not limited thereto, also can be not only to selecting pixel data to use special error diffusion matrix, even if, also can use the error diffusion of special error diffusion matrix to handle to corresponding near the pairing pixel data of nozzle the nozzle of selecting pixel data.At this, near the so-called nozzle of the pairing nozzle of pixel data of selecting for example is included under the situation that produces above-mentioned ' informal voucher line ', the nozzle of the formation location dislocation of point with form relative should the dislocation point, apart from the nozzle of the normal point wideer than normal conditions, in addition, under the situation of above-mentioned ' dense striped ', the nozzle that comprises formation location dislocation a little is with the nozzle that forms the relative point that should misplace, distance normal point short or that partly or entirely overlap than normal conditions.In addition, be not limited to this example, also near expanded range can be arrived adjacent 3 nozzles of this nozzle etc.

Claims

1, a kind of printing equipment, by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that, possesses:

View data obtains parts, and it obtains the view data of the pixel value with M value, described M 〉=3:

The error diffusion matrix memory unit, its storage is spread the different multiple error diffusion matrix of diffusion ratio from error to the pixel data that spreads object;

N value processing unit, it carries out the N value handles, and the pixel value that is about to the M value shown in the described pixel data of choosing is transformed to the processing of N value, described M 〉=3, M＞N 〉=2;

Print member, it, is printed on described image on the described medium by described printhead according to described printing data;

Described error diffusion parts, according to described nozzle information, to each described pixel data of choosing, from described error diffusion matrix memory unit, select the error diffusion matrix of regulation, according to this error diffusion matrix of choosing, with described error diffusion to not carrying out the pixel data that described N value is handled.

2, printing equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

3, printing equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

4, according to the printing equipment described in each of claim 1～3, it is characterized in that:

5, printing equipment according to claim 4 is characterized in that:

Described error diffusion parts, in described error is in the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of the pairing pixel data of at least one side of nozzle more than the ormal weight and near the nozzle it to described magnitude of misalignment, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

6, according to claim 4 or 5 described printing equipments, it is characterized in that:

Described error diffusion parts, in the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of described error to the pairing pixel data of at least one side with the bad nozzle of printing ink ejection and near the nozzle it, use described oblique heavy error diffusion matrix, with the described error diffusion of this pixel data to not carrying out in the pixel data that described N value handles.

7, according to the printing equipment described in each of claim 3～5, it is characterized in that:

Described N value processing unit will have that pixel value that the bad pairing pixel data of nozzle of printing ink ejection had is transformed to the least concentration value or near the value of least concentration value,

8, according to the printing equipment described in each of claim 1～7, it is characterized in that:

Described printhead is to make described nozzle across with the equal scope in the installation region of described medium or than the scope of described installing zone field width and continuously arranged printhead.

9, according to the printing equipment described in each of claim 1～7, it is characterized in that:

Described printhead is that the direction of the paper feeding direction quadrature of an edge and described medium moves, on one side printhead that carry out to print.

10, a kind of printing equipment control program, be used to control printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium, it is characterized in that described printing equipment control program comprises and is used to allow computer carry out the program of the processing that following steps constitute:

View data obtains step, obtains the view data of the pixel value with M value, described M 〉=3;

N value treatment step carries out the N value and handles, and the pixel value that is about to the M value shown in the described pixel data of choosing is transformed to the processing of N value, described M 〉=3, M＞N 〉=2;

11, a kind of printing equipment control method, it is used to control printing equipment, and this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium, it is characterized in that described printing equipment control method comprises:

12, a kind of printing data generating device that generates the printing usefulness data of using in the printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that, described printing possesses with data generating device:

Printing generates parts with data, and it generate to be printed and use data, and this printings has been stipulated about the information corresponding to the some formation content of the described nozzle of the view data after the described N value processing with data;

13, a kind of printing data generator that generates the printing usefulness data of using in the printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium, it is characterized in that: comprise and be used to allow computer carry out the program of the processing that following steps constitute

The error diffusion step, with the value of the described pixel data of choosing, with the difference of the value of this pixel data of choosing after described N value is handled as error, according to error diffusion matrix, this error diffusion is not carried out the pixel data that described N value is handled in the described view data, upgrade the pixel value of described view data; With

14, a kind of printing data creation method that generates the printing usefulness data of using in the printing equipment, this printing equipment is by having the printhead that can form the nozzle of point at the medium that is used for printing, print image on described medium is characterized in that, described printing comprises with data creation method:

N value treatment step carries out the N value and handles, and the pixel value that is about to the M value shown in the described pixel data of choosing is transformed to the described M of processing 〉=3, M＞N 〉=2 of N value;