JP2003266795A - Printing method and apparatus for back-up of defective marking element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a high speed and a high resolution. <P>SOLUTION: A set of combinations of ejection orders of a plurality of marking elements, and a sequence of relative translation movement between a recording medium and a print head are determined. All the dots in a dot matrix can be printed by adopting the set of the combinations. Any dot in the dot matrix can be printed by at least first and second marking elements in the set of marking elements in an equal level. The first marking element is selected from the set of marking elements in the equal level in order to print the set of dots in the dot matrix and to print the set of dots as a part of a first ejection order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]
Methods and methods for printing, such as jet printing or thermal transfer printing
And devices, especially contactless printing and control of such printers
For a suitable control unit. [Prior art and its problems]
It is one of the most universal methods of communicating information to the public. Dot
Digital printing using a tomatrix printer
Are text and text stored on a computing device such as a personal computer.
And quick printing of graphics. With this printing method
In a time-saving and lithographic version
Economical pricing without specially making printing plates
A quick conversion from thoughts and concepts to printed matter is possible. De
The development of digital printing methods has led to
Make economic realities even within the home environment
Was. [0003] The usual method of dot matrix printing is
Printing head, e.g. a plurality of marking elements, e.g.
For ink jet printing with ink jet nozzle
Often involves the use of a head. The marking elements are
Printing material, such as ink or resin, for printing
To a printing medium such as paper or plastic
You. The print can be a single color, for example black, or
Is multicolored, for example, CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow
-, Black = Process made with a combination of C, M, Y
Black), CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
-, Black) or a specific color scheme (for example, C
Combination of MKY with one or more additional spots or specific colors
C) can be used as a full color. Paper or
Printing to print on print media like plastic
While the media is moving with respect to the print head,
King elements are used in a certain order, or "fire"
Let me do. Each time the marking element fires,
Where the printing material, eg ink, depends on the printing technique used
Transferred to a print medium by a method. Typically, one form
Printer, the head is in the first direction, for example
Create a so-called raster line that extends across the page
Will be moved with respect to the print media. First
Is sometimes referred to as the “main scanning direction”. Raster
The line is printed by the marking element on the print head.
Consists of a series of dots sent above. The print medium is the first
Intermittent in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of
Is moved. The second direction is sometimes the sub-scan direction
Called. [0004] Raster line printing and printing heads
In combination with the movement of the print media, they are usually closely spaced.
A series of parallel raster lines are obtained. The human eye is
From a distance, it is perceived as a complete image,
Break down into individual dots that together give enough dense dots
Never. Densely spaced dots of different colors are individually separated
Three colors, cyan and maje applied without being able to distinguish
Color mark determined by the amount or intensity of the
Give an elephant. Improve printing accuracy, for example straight line accuracy
The distance between the dots in the dot matrix
In short, it is preferred that the printing be of high resolution.
High resolution doesn't always mean good printing,
Minimum resolution required for high quality printing
Is true. The small dot spacing in the sub-scanning direction is
It means that the distance between the marker elements of the head is small,
On the other hand, regularly spaced small distances in the main scanning direction
Dots lead the print head to the print media
Constrains the characteristics of the drive used to move in the scan direction
Is done. [0006] Generally, before the marker element is fired
And a mechanism for correctly positioning it on the print medium
There is. Usually, such a drive mechanism is a microprocessor
-Programmable digital devices such as PAL, P
Controlled by an AL, FPGA, or similar device. However
However, those who can manage by software
The deviation can be managed by dedicated hardware and software
Admit that software is the only execution strategy
U. [0007] One of the common problems of dot matrix printing is
One is the digital nature of the image display and the
The formation of artifacts caused by use. printing
A matrix or pattern of (almost) equally spaced dots
Moa from trying to draw a continuous image by
Certain artifacts, such as re-patterns
Sometimes. One cause of artifacts is head
Various manufacturing defects, such as the location of marker elements
Or the system of movement of the print head with respect to the print medium.
Dot positioning error caused by systematic errors
be able to. In particular, one marking element is inappropriate
Is placed in a location or is its injection direction intended?
If not, the resulting print may run through the print.
Would indicate a defect. Drop flight time depends on speed fluctuations
Fluctuations in drop velocity may also affect printing
Will cause artifacts when the head moves
U. Similarly, how to move print media with respect to print media
Systematic errors in the
There is. For example, the print medium drive mechanism and the print medium itself
Slip between will lead to errors. In fact, the printing system
Any geometrical limitations of the system, for example,
Length, spacing between marking elements,
Index distance of print media with respect to printheads is also a source of error
Can be Such an error is referred to as "banding
ing) ", that is, a clear print applied to a series of bands
May give a strange impression. Extremely small error included
Can be reduced-color identification, resolution and
Pattern cognition is well developed and therefore has significantly smaller errors
Can be visually recognized. To reduce some of these errors
In addition, at least some types of errors can be diffused through printing.
The use of marking elements to disguise
Is known. For example, "shingling (shingli
ng) ”is a method known as ink jet printing.
It is known from US Pat. each
Printing position or "pixel" is cyan, magenta, yellow
-And four dots, one for each of black
Can be printed. The adjacent pixels on the raster line are
It is not printed by the same marking element of the printing head.
No. Instead, every other pixel has the same marking element
Printed using. In this known system
The pixels are printed in a checkerboard pattern. Immediately
That is, the head moves in the main scanning direction, and the marking element
Can be printed at any other pixel location.
You. Therefore, each of the pixel lines in the sub-scanning direction is the same.
Any mark that has the same error and always prints the error
There is no rolling element. But the result is always
That only 50% of the marking elements can be printed.
You. In fact, in particular, each marking element
Deviation from the exact position of the element by a certain amount
Print at the location. By using singling,
These errors can be distributed throughout the printing.
Singling is when all marking elements are used in succession.
Inefficient printing method that is not used and requires several passes
Is generally accepted. As described above, this type of printing is called "single printing".
Ning "has been called. However, printing dictionaries are not
"Singling" as a method of compensating for
Use. The inventor considers pixels that are not adjacent on the raster line
Printing method in which is printed by one and the same marking element
Do not know any terms accepted by the industry
No. For this reason, the term “inter-intermediate printing” or
"Interpenetrating printing" is used. These terms are printed
The desired image is divided into a set of sub-images, and each sub-image is printed
Part and space, and one printed
At least part of the space in the sub-image is
Form a position for the printed part and vice versa
It means standing up. [0010] Another printing method is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-260,098.
This is known as "interlaced scanning". This format
The purpose of printing is to increase the resolution of the printing device
It is. That is, the printing head marks along the sub-scanning direction.
The distance between the king elements is a certain distance X, but in the sub-scanning direction.
The distance between printed dots at is less than this distance
No. The relative movement between the print medium and the print head is the distance
It is represented by a distance given by dividing X by an integer. Ongoing requirements for improved print quality
There is. In particular, make sure that the dots that form the image
And uniform size, and how to form dots
Is necessary for the method to withstand deterioration due to long-term use of the print head?
There is a request. [0012] From Patent Document 3, attempts to solve the above problem
It is known to use ink jet printers.
This solution described uses the double dot method,
In this method, each dot requires a different marking.
It is formed from at least two drops of each color ejected from the element.
The print head of the marking element fails and becomes defective (for example,
If there is a gap between the desired print position and the actual print position)
If it occurs to compensate for the marking element to be printed,
Errors are visualized and image quality is degraded or printing
This point was explained that either should be replaced
The disadvantage of the solution. Print at exactly the same dot location
If the two marking elements are incomplete, print
The result is a blank, which clearly indicates that the printhead should be replaced.
Is the case. Patent Document 4 discloses that a plurality of printing markings are required.
The print head having the element will be described. Multiple markings required
If one of the elements is incomplete, the control unit
Incomplete marking elements from image data storage
Of the read image data.
Data in the second image data storage device. Incomplete
The marking element is not activated,
After the sample is printed, the normal marking element
Replacement marker from inside or from a set of replacement marking elements
The King element was selected and this is the second image data
According to the image data read from the data storage device.
On the sheet that should have been printed with a complete marking element
Is printed at the position. Because of this,
Extra printing pass to back up King element
Required, and therefore printing speed is reduced. High with reduced visual effects due to errors
Printing method and apparatus for providing high-speed high-resolution printing
It is an object of the present invention to do so. [Patent Document 1] US Patent 4,967,203 [Patent Document 2] US Patent 4,198,642 [Patent Document 3] US Patent 4,963,882 [0018] [Patent Document 4] US Patent 6,126,341 [Patent Document 5] WO 99/08875 [Patent Document 6] US Patent 6,354,689 [Patent Document 7] [Patent Document 8] EP 860304 [Patent Document 9] US Pat. No. 6,010,205 [Means for Solving the Problems] The object of the present invention is to provide a printing head.
Using multiple marking elements on the media
Dot matrix printing to print dot matrix
The method wherein all dots in the dot matrix are in a set of combinations.
Printable by each application and dot matrix
Each dot in the grid has a set of equivalent marking elements
Also print with first and second equivalent marking elements
So that multiple marking elements can be fired in order
And the relative translation between the print media and the print head.
To determine the set of combinations of sequences, and to print the set of dots in a dot matrix.
Print a set of dots as part of the first firing order
From the set of equivalent marking elements
King elements are selected-a preset number of identical marking element sets
If the marking elements such as are incomplete, at least
Another set of first and second equivalent marking elements is determined.
In such a manner that the steps for reconfiguring the printhead in such a manner are achieved. This preset
The number given shall be the same for all equivalent sets of marking elements.
It may include a marking element or less. Preferably, the first and second equivalent marks
Elements are jetted as part of an interpenetrating printing scheme.
It is. An equivalent set of marking elements should be optimized.
In other words, the selection stage consists of at least two identical
The printing element is based on the criteria that gives the best printing results.
Can be According to a first embodiment, the selecting step is
Based on inconsistencies in the scheduling elements. For example, a set of all
The inconsistency of the marking elements such as
The equivalent marking elements can be fired alternately.
Wear. If inconsistency is the first number of equivalent marking elements
Is below the threshold for
If it is greater than or equal to the threshold for the prime,
The switching elements can be fired alternately. The first number
Mismatch for equivalent marking elements in one direction
Inconsistency of other equivalent marking elements of the same set
Are in the opposite direction, the least irregularity in each direction
It is possible to determine an equivalent marking element with a combined value.
And these equivalent marking elements are fired alternately
Can be made. If all equivalent marking elements
If the nozzle misalignment is in the same direction for
A marking element with a mismatch value is always fired. According to another embodiment, the selecting step is
Based on the dot spacing of the dots printed by
Good. For example, a document printed with equivalent marking elements
The distance between a dot and its adjacent dot is greater than a predetermined threshold.
The marking element cannot be used.
No. The reconstruction step can be performed in software. According to the present invention, a first equivalent marking is required.
By elementary means or of a second equivalent marking element
The number of prints for printing by means is the same. According to the present invention, an image is printed on a print medium by dot matrix printing.
An apparatus for box printing is also provided. The device comprises:-a printing head;-a plurality of equally spaced markings on the printing head.
-All the dots in the dot matrix are
As printable by each application, and matrix
Each dot in the grid has a set of equivalent marking elements
Can also be printed with two equivalent marking elements
The firing order of several equally spaced marking elements
And the relative translation between the print head and the print media.
A determining device for determining a set of combinations of sequences, for printing a set of dots in a dot matrix
Print a set of dots as part of the first firing order
From the set of equivalent marking elements
A selection device for selecting a king element; and-of equivalent marking elements of a set of equivalent marking elements.
If the preset number is incomplete, at least the first
Another set of first and second equivalent marking elements is a determining device.
To reconfigure the print head as determined by
Is provided. Preset of equivalent marking elements
The number set will be the total number of equivalent sets of marking elements or
It can be less than that. The marking element is an ink jet nozzle
be able to. The reconstructing device is executed in software.
can do. The device of the present invention provides a first equivalent marking
By means of the element or of the second equivalent marking element
So that the number of prints for printing by means is the same
can do. The present invention has been further described by the present invention.
Provided is an ink jet printing apparatus including the apparatus. The present invention is combined with a printing head.
Any of the methods of the present invention when executed on a computing device
Also includes computer program products to execute.
Machine readable data storage device is a computer
Can store program products. The invention is equally spaced
Using a print head with multiple marking elements
Control for a printer to print images on print media
It also has a unit. Control unit is dot matrix
All dots in the printout are printed with each application of the combination set
And all dots in the matrix are equal
At least two equivalent markins of a set of marking elements
So that they can be printed by
Of jetting of multiple marking elements and printing head
Set of sequences of relative translational movement between the media and the print media
It is arranged to control the determination of the matching set. Controller unit
Is also used to control the selection. Controller unit
Prints a set of dots in a dot matrix
Print a set of dots as part of the first firing order
First equivalent mark of a set of equivalent marking elements for
Control the selection of the
Preset of equivalent marking elements for a set of king elements
If the numbers are incomplete, at least the first and second
Another set of equivalent marking elements is to be determined
You. The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Will be. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described with reference to examples and drawings.
Is not limited by these and is limited only by the claims
Is done. The present invention mainly relates to an ink jet printer.
However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Absent. The term “printing” used in the present invention is broadly used.
Should be interpreted. This applies to inks or other materials
To form or form markings on printed circuit boards
Involved. Various printing methods that can be used with the present invention, examples
For example, thermal transfer printing, thermal dye transfer printing, deflection ink jet
Printing, ion projection printing, field control printing,
Loose ink jet printing, drop-on-demand ink
Jet printing, continuous ink jet printing, book: J
-El Johnson, Principles of non-impact p
rinting (principle of non-impact printing), palatino press, art
Vin, 1998. Non-contact printing method
Particularly preferred. However, the invention is not so limited.
No. Any type of indicia with dots or droplets on the substrate
Printing is also included within the scope of the present invention, for example, a thin film transistor.
Plastic logic (http
p // plasticlogic. com /)
Pressure is applied to printing on polymeric materials as used and described.
An electronic printing head can be used. Therefore, the present invention
The term "printing" by
Including King, but also printed of various characteristics on the substrate
Also included are types of structures or areas that have been created. One example is printing
Water repellency on substrate to form more offset printing plate
Area or hydrophilic area printing. Therefore, the term "print media"
Or `` printed circuit board '' means not only paper, transparent sheets,
Flat plate or curved included or part of linter
Should be given a broader meaning, including a revised version. Change
In addition, printing can be performed at room temperature or at an elevated temperature, for example
Melt printing head to print hot melt adhesive
Can be heated above the point. Therefore, the term "in
"K" is not limited to ordinary ink,
Can be printed by reducing viscosity at temperature
Solid materials such as polymers, as well as on the surface of printed circuit boards
Some features on the printed circuit board, such as information defined by the structure
On the material providing the sign, water repellent, or microarray
Widely interpreted, including binding molecules such as attached DNA
Should. Use both water and organic solvents as solvents
Can be The ink used according to the present invention is
May contain additives such as oxidants, pigments, and crosslinkers
it can. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an interpenetrating printing scheme
Is preferably applied to the image to be printed. this
Means that every pixel location has at least two different marker
Means that it can be reached from the First, an outline of interpenetrating printing or inter-printing is described.
Make sure that the moving head or scanning head for printing only one color
Head 50 (eg, black head)
Will be explained. FIG. 1 shows that the images were
It shows how to divide the image into lower-level images that have been input and printed.
Referring to FIG. 1, the head 50 moves the print medium 6 in the sub-scanning direction S.
It will be apparent that it is displaced with respect to 6. this is,
In effect, it relates to the relative movement between the two, and
The print medium 66 is placed in a direction opposite to the direction shown in FIG.
A distance with respect to the head 50 in the horizontal direction (ie, in the -S direction).
Separation, e.g., by feeding half the length of the head.
You. In the following, the pixel position on the print medium is used as a reference.
Therefore, it is preferable to refer to the movement of the head 50.
In a first pass, a first part, for example head 50
Marking elements 1-8 in the first half of
Starting with the first row R1 that can be printed, for example,
Print every second pixel in the column in direction F. The first communication
The printing position of the print head 50 during printing is the same as that shown in FIG.
The box 65 is indicated by 1. Marking elements should be printed
Whether to actually print depending on the image
Whether dots are printed at a specific position in the box 65
You should be careful. One in the matrix 65 is the first
Relevant marking required to be printed in this position during each pass
Shows elementary ability. This is because it always prints in this position.
It doesn't mean to. Also, the matrix in this drawing
Going down the "rows" corresponds to the main scanning direction F, that is, the mark.
Along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60 of the printing head 50
Point to go. The head 50 is used for the first time across the print medium.
After scanning is completed, return to the starting position and in the sub-scanning direction
In (S) the print media is sent only half its length,
It becomes a waiting state for passage 2. This is because the head 50 is
With respect to body 66, the exact length of the head, for example,
Nozzle accuracy between relevant marking element and firing position
This means that the message is sent by the correct number of pitches. In the above example
The head 50 does not print during the return stroke
Printing in both main scanning directions F and -F.
Is included within the scope of the present invention. Since then, printer
Is every second pixel in all of the marking elements 1-16
Print on In the second pass, the head 50
Matrix (indicated by 2 in matrix 65)
Each second pixel starting in the second row R2 in the
Print. Again, 2 in matrix 65 is the second
Of the relevant marking element to be printed at that position during each pass
Show ability. This should always be printed at this location.
Does not mean After the completion of the second pass, the print head 5
Zero is also moved by half its length. Third pass
The head 50 is again in the matrix 65
Odd throat (indicated by 3) starting in the first row R1
Are also printed. The print head 50 moves in the sub-scanning direction S
Again sent half of its length, and in the fourth round
The pass (number 4) is marked on every second row starting with row R2
Print. Movement of the head 50 over half its length,
Start of printing in one row R1, its length of head 50
And the printing of the second row R2
The cycle including the start is repeated continuously. The result of this is that some columns (ie, the main scan)
The dot (in direction F) is the same marker every two pixels
Printing is performed only by the printing element. F direction
Each adjacent pixel in the direction is marked by a different marking element.
Is printed. This cycle is repeated every two passes,
This is 50% interpenetrating printing. Continuation in each column
Each two dots are printed with different marking elements
Therefore, banding due to inconsistency of marking elements
The problem is hidden. The cycle is repeated every four passes, for example.
In this case, 25% interpenetrating printing
You. As seen in FIG. 1, 50% mutual
In invasive printing, there is redundancy 2. That is, two
A working element can reach each pixel location.
For example, pixel location 70 is marked during the first pass.
Printed by element 5. However, during the second pass,
Marking element 13 fires here on pixel location 70
Pass without doing. Therefore, the marking element 5 and
13 is a redundant pair of marking elements. Same thing
This is true for all marking elements of the pad 50. All of these
Is a different marking element of the head 50.
To form a redundant pair of marking elements. Redundant pair marquis
(1, 9), (2, 10), (3, 1)
1), (4, 12), (5, 13), (6, 14),
(7, 15) and (8, 16). One of the marking elements of the head 50 is incomplete.
All (no printing or dots not placed exactly)
In the case, for example, the marking element 1 shown in FIG.
In the meantime, its function is to
Drawn by the marking element forming the marking element of
Can be inherited. Therefore, the marking element 1 in FIG.
Shown to be incomplete, in this given example
Means that the function is taken over by the marking element 9
Can be. This means that during the first pass, marking element 2
-8 is the odd row starting at row R1 in the matrix 65
Means printing at the pixel position indicated by 1.
During the second pass of the head 50, the mark
Where printing element 1 did not print due to its incompleteness.
The printing element 9 prints on even lines starting at line R2.
The marking elements 2-16 in the matrix 65
Print at the position indicated by 2. No other marking elements
If complete, respond from redundant pair of marking elements
The marking element takes over these functions. Head 50
During the third pass, marking is required on odd rows.
Element 2-16 prints the required location according to the image to be printed
In the even rows, the marking elements 9
This marking during the second pass due to a defect in the element 1
Print where the element did not print. This is matri
Box 65. In the above method, at least one of the markings
The length of each redundant pair of marking elements for which the element is working
Can be executed. However, as shown in FIG.
Form one redundant pair of marking elements
If marking elements 1 and 9 are incomplete, row 74
Will not print. To solve this, print
The head 50 must be reconfigured. 16 activities
Only 14 active keys instead of marking elements
Working element is left. Various Configurations of Reconstructed Print Head 50
Is shown in FIGS. According to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The print head 50 is located on a first side A of the print head 50.
Reconstructed by deactivating two marking elements
Is done. Inactivate when reconfiguring printhead 50
The number of marked marking elements is the number of redundant marking elements in the set.
, Which is 2 for the example under consideration.
In this case, the 14 marking elements 1'-14 'are active
Remains. Same redundancy as before reconfiguration of print head 50
(I.e., 2), and therefore, in this case, 14
Marking elements 1'-14 'are divided into seven groups
It is. The redundant pairs of marking elements are (1 ', 8')
(2 ′, 9 ′), (3 ′, 10 ′), (4 ′, 1)
1 ′), (5 ′, 12 ′), (6 ′, 13 ′) and
(7 ′, 14 ′). Two different pixel positions
And are reachable from the marking elements of
It is possible to reach the pixel position before reconfiguration of the print head 50.
Different from the two associated marking elements. If Markin
If one of the elements is incomplete, the corresponding equivalent
The marking element can take over its function. During the first pass, the marking element 1'-
7 'is printed at a relevant position on an odd-numbered line starting with line R1.
You. However, when the marking element 7 'is defective
Indicates that position 78 on the odd line is the same
Will be printed by the king element 14 '. Pass 2
, The marking element 7 ′ is on an even row starting at row R2.
Should be printed at location 80
Due to the defect in element 7 ', the dot at position 80
During the next pass (according to the image to be printed if necessary)
Printed by the marking element 14 '. The second embodiment of the print head 50 shown in FIG.
According to the embodiment or the reconfiguration, the print head 50
The two marking elements on the second side B of the
Reconstituted by activating. Reassemble the printing dot
The number of marking elements that are deactivated when formed is
Equal to the number of redundancies in the set of marking elements,
2 for the example. In this case, 14 markings
Elements 1'-14 'remain active. Print head 50
Maintain the same redundancy (ie, 2) as before the reconstruction of
The four marking elements 1'-14 'are in this case 7 marks.
Divided into loops. The redundant pair of marking elements is
(1 ', 8'), (2 ', 9'), (3 ', 10'),
(4 ', 11'), (5 ', 12'), (6 ', 1
3 ′) and (7 ′, 14 ′). Any pixel position
Also reaches that pixel position before the printhead 50 is reconfigured.
Another two different marking elements from the two obtained marking elements
To see that it is reachable by the marking element
it can. If one of the marking elements is incomplete,
The corresponding equivalent marking element takes over this function.
Can be. During the first pass, the marking element 1'-
7 'prints at the relevant position on odd lines starting at line R1
Will. However, the marking element 1 'is defective
, The position 82 on the odd-numbered row is the second pass
Medium, printed only by equivalent marking elements 8.
During pass 2, the marking element 9 'is an even number starting at row R2.
Should be printed at position 84 on the line, but with the marking element
Due to the 9 'defect, the dot on position 84 is
Already printed by the equivalent marking element 2 '
I have. An incomplete marking element is a marking element
Only if it is at the beginning or end of each of the
According to a third embodiment, which is a special case performed, printing
Head 50 activates the complete marking element
As an element and the first or
Re-establish by deactivating the last defect marking element
Be composed. When reconfiguring the print head 50,
While maintaining the same redundancy as before the reconfiguration of the
King elements 1'-14 'are divided into redundancy groups.
For the example under consideration, this is the 14 active marker
Element 1'-14 'is a group of 7 active marking elements.
It means that it is divided into loops. Again, which
Active marking elements 1'-14 'are all redundant marks.
It has an element. The redundant pair of marking elements, in turn,
(1 ', 14'), (2 ', 8'), (3 ', 9'),
(4 ', 10'), (5 ', 11'), (6 ', 1
2 ′) and (7 ′, 13 ′). In this case, too,
The raw position can also be reached from two different marking elements,
And if one of the marking elements is incomplete,
The corresponding equivalent marking element takes over its function.
Can be. For example, a 25% cross-penetration mark shown in FIG.
The same can be done for printing. cycle
Head 50 with respect to print media 66 between each pass.
Movement over a quarter of the length of the
And is similar to the 50% interpenetrating printing described above.
You. 4 pieces forming a redundant set of marking elements of redundancy 4
The marking element can reach each pixel position
You. The redundant set of marking elements is (1, 5, 9, 13)
(2, 6, 10, 14), (3, 7, 11, 15), and
And (4, 8, 12, 16). 1 marking required
Element, for example a marking element 3 as shown in FIG.
If it fails or deviates from the desired printing position,
Shall be one of the marking elements 7, 11 or 15
You can take over more. This is normally the first
Printed by the marking element 3 during the passage of times
The pixel on pixel position 76 is marked by Markin during the second pass.
Printed by the printing element 7 or marked during the third pass.
Printed by the printing element 11 or during the fourth pass.
Printing element 15
Means that. Rather than requiring reconfiguration of head 50
Before that more marking elements may fail
Will be readily apparent. Instead of an incomplete marking element 3, a marker
Selection of which of King elements 7, 11, and 15 to fire
Can be based on various optimization routines
You. This choice is made automatically. The test pattern is
Input into the printing device by user's manual operation or by machine
Is done. The test pattern is a normal marking element injection
(Ie, redundant marking elements are replaced).
Are injected into each other). Whether the quality of the test result is OK
Is checked by either the user or the machine. If not OK
Solves how the machine corrects the problem. An example
For example, a new marking element based on inconsistent data
A choice is made. According to the first embodiment, a possible optimal route
Is related to the absolute position of each dot. Printed
Marking required, which is the deviation of the dot from its absolute position
Element mismatch is where the dot should be and the dot is effectively
Characterized by a value that indicates the difference in location from the place where you arrived
Can be Redundant set with inconsistent marking elements
All of the marking elements (for redundancy 2, two markers
King element, 4 marking elements for redundancy 4,
Etc.) are below a certain threshold.
Are used interchangeably. If one Ma
Inconsistencies in the marking elements
Other than a certain threshold value of the elementary
If it is above a certain threshold for the
If so, the first marking element is always used. If the first
Inconsistency for multiple marking elements of a particular
Another marking element that is less than or equal to the threshold and of the redundant set
If this is greater than or equal to the threshold, the first plurality
The marking elements are used alternately. If two in redundant set
Marking element and the inconsistency is the first mark
A second marker in one direction with respect to the marking element
If the marking elements are in different directions, both markings
Elements are fired alternately. If inconsistency is both Markin
Have the lowest tolerance if they are in the same direction for
Are always used. If one marking element
If does not work at all, another
Things are always used. According to the second embodiment, possible optimization parameters
Is the spacing between the dots, so these are the dots
In the vicinity of In the first stage, all dots
An interval is identified. The area in question can be manually or automatically
Dynamically identified. Next, the interval between dots is automatically
An attempt is made to reduce it. If a redundant set of marking elements
The preset number of marking elements is incomplete
For example, the redundant set of marking elements in FIG.
Marking elements 3, 7, 11 and 15 (or other figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
If the deviation is incomplete, reconfigure the print head 50.
It is necessary to. According to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The print head 50 is located on a first side A of the print head 50.
Reconstruction by deactivating some marking elements
Is done. Inactive when reconfiguring printhead 50
The number of marking elements to be set is
Equal to a number, which is 4 in the example under consideration.
In this case, twelve marking elements 1'-1
2 'remains active. Reconfiguration of print head 50
The same redundancy as before (ie, 4) is retained, and thus 12
The marking elements 1'-12 'are divided into three groups
You. The redundant set of marking elements is (1 ', 4', 7 ',
10 '), (2', 5 ', 8', 11 '), and
(3 ′, 6 ′, 9 ′, 12 ′). Which pixel position
Before reaching the pixel position before the print head 50 is reconfigured.
4 different marking elements from the 4 equivalent marking elements
Can be reached by different marking elements
You. If one of the marking elements is incomplete,
The corresponding equivalent marking element takes over its function.
Can be. By reconfiguring the print head 50,
In the example given, the marking elements 3 ', 7',
And 11 'are still defective. During the first pass, the marking element 1'-
3 ′ is 4 in the main scanning direction F in a column starting with the first row R1.
Would print every th pixel. During the first pass
The printing position of the print head 50 is determined by the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated at 1 at 65. Marking element is actually marked
Whether or not to print depends on the image to be printed.
That is, a dot should be printed at a certain position in the matrix 65.
It should be noted that it depends on whether Markin
If the element 3 'is defective, the fourth element starting with row R1
For each line of the eye, the position 86 above it is the marking element 3 '
Not printed by the equivalent during one of the subsequent passes
Printed by one of the marking elements 6 ', 9' or 12 '
Will be done. In the matrix 65 of FIG.
During pass 2 the equivalent marking element 6 '
At position 86. After the first pass, the print head
50 is only one quarter of the length of its active marking element
(That is, in this case, the three marking elements
Move). During pass 2, the marking elements 1'-6 '
Is the fourth column in the main scanning direction F of the column starting at the second row R2.
Will print pixel by pixel. Printing during the second pass
The place where the head 50 prints is determined by the matrix 65 in FIG.
Is indicated by 2. Marking element 3 'is defective
Sometimes, every fourth row starting with row R2
The position 88 is not printed by the marking element 3 ',
An equivalent marking element 6 'during one of the subsequent passes,
Will be printed by one of 9 'or 12'. FIG.
In the matrix 65 of FIG.
, Printed on position 86 with equivalent marking element 6 ′
Is done. After the second pass, the print head 50 is activated
Only a quarter of the length of the marking element (ie, in this case
Is moved again (over three marking elements)
You. During the third pass, the marking element 1'-
9 ′ is the fourth in the main scanning direction F of the column starting with the third row R3.
Will print every pixel of the eye. During the third pass,
The place where the print head 50 prints is determined by the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated by 3 in 65. Marking element 3 'and
If 7 'is defective, the fourth row starting with row R3
Each location 90 and 92 above it is marked
Printing elements 3 'and 7'. Rank
The dots on the location 90 are passed in subsequent passes (pass 4,
Marking element equivalent during one of pass 5 and pass 6)
Will be printed by one of 6 ', 9' or 12 '
U. The dot on location 92 is one of the two previous passes
By an equivalent marking element 1 'or 4' in between, or
Printed by the equivalent marking element 10 'during the next pass
Will be. For example, in the matrix 65 of FIG.
The dots are equivalent marking elements during pass 4
6 'is printed on location 90 and further identical during pass 4
Etc. printed on location 92 by a marking element 10 '
You. After the third pass, the print head 50 has its active marker
It is moved again by a quarter of the length of the king element. During the fourth pass, the marking element 1'-
12 ′ is 4 in the main scanning direction F of the column starting at the fourth row R4.
Would print every th pixel. During the fourth pass
Next, the place where the print head 50 prints is the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated by 4 in box 65. Marking element 3 ',
If 7 'and 11' are incomplete, start at row R4
For each fourth row, positions 94, 96 and 98 above it
With the marking elements 3 ', 7' and 11 'respectively.
Will not be printed. The dot on position 94 follows
One of the passages (pass 5, pass 6, and pass 7, respectively)
One of the equivalent marking elements 6 ', 9' or 12 'in between
Will be printed. The dot on position 96 is 2
Equivalent marking element 1 'during one of the preceding passes
Or equivalent marking by 4 'or during the next pass
Will be printed by element 10 '. C on position 98
The equivalent Markin during one of the three preceding passes
Printing element 2 ', 5' or 8 '.
For example, in the matrix 65 of FIG.
Is located by the equivalent marking element 6 ′ during the passage 5
Equivalent marking element printed on 94 and during pass 5
Printed on location 96 by 10 'and during pass 1
Printed on location 98 by equivalent marking element 2 '
You. After the fourth pass, the print head 50 has its active marker
It is moved again by a quarter of the length of the king element. A quarter of the length of the print head 50
Barrel movement, start of printing in first row R1, head 5
Movement of 0 over a quarter of its length, in the second row R2
Start of printing, four quarters of its length of print head 50
1 move, start printing in third row R3, mark
Movement of the print head 50 over a quarter of its length, and
The cycle including the start of printing in the fourth row R4 continues.
Repeated. According to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The print head 50 has a small number of portions on the second side B of the print head 50.
Reconstructed by deactivating the marking elements of
You. Mask to be inactive when reconfiguring printhead 50
The number of marking elements is equal to the number of redundant marking elements in a set.
Indeed, this is 4 in the example under consideration. This thing
In the example, twelve marking elements 1'-12 '
It remains active. Same as before the reconfiguration of the print head 50
The same redundancy (ie, 4)
The ringing elements 1'-12 'are divided into three groups. Mar
The redundant set of King elements is (1 ', 4', 7 ', 1
0 ′), (2 ′, 5 ′, 8 ′, 11 ′), and (3 ′,
6 ', 9', 12 '). Every pixel position is
Before the pixel 50 is reconstructed.
4 different marks different from the equivalent marking elements
It can be seen that it is reachable by the switching element. If ma
If one of the King elements is incomplete, the corresponding equivalent
Marking element can take over its function.
Example given by reconfiguring printhead 50
The marking elements 3 ', 7' and 11 '
This is a defect state. During the first pass, the marking elements 1 ',-
3 ′ is 4 in the main operation direction F in the column starting with the first row R1.
Would print every th pixel. During the first pass
The print position of the print head 50 is determined by the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated at 1 at 65. Marking element is actually marked
Whether or not to print depends on the image to be printed.
That is, a dot should be printed at a certain position in the matrix 65.
It should be noted that it depends on whether Markin
If the element 3 'is defective, the fourth element starting with row R1
For each line of the eye, the position 100 above it is the marking element
Not printed by 3 ', same during one of the subsequent passes
By one of the marking elements 6 ', 9' or 12 '
Will be printed. In the matrix 65 of FIG.
And the dot is the same marking element during pass 3
9 'prints at position 100. After the first pass,
The print head 50 has a length of four times its active marking element.
By a factor of one (ie, in this case three marking elements
Over). During pass 2, marking elements 1'-6 '
Is 4 in the main scanning direction F in a column starting with the second row R2.
Would print every th pixel. During the second pass
The position at which the print head 50 prints is determined by the matrix shown in FIG.
2 in box 75. Marking element 3 '
If defective, every fourth row starting with row R2
The position 102 thereon is marked by the marking element 3 '.
Unprinted, same during one of subsequent passes 3, 4 or 5
By one of the marking elements 6 ', 9' or 12 '
Will be printed. In the matrix 65 of FIG.
And the dot is marked with an equivalent marking element during pass 4
9 'prints on position 102. 2nd pass
Later, the print head 50 is moved to its active marking element length.
(Ie, in this case three markings
Is moved again (over the element). During the third pass, the marking elements 1 ',
−9 ′ is 4 in the main scanning direction F of the column starting at the third row R3.
Would print every th pixel. During the third pass
The position at which the print head 50 prints is determined by the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated by 3 in box 65. Marking element 3 '
And 7 'are defective, the fourth line starting at row R3
For each row, the locations 104 and 106 above it, respectively
Will not be printed by marking elements 3 'and 7'
U. The dot at position 104 is a subsequent pass (each pass).
Markin equivalent during one of pass 4, pass 5 and pass 6)
Printing element 6 ', 9' or 12 '
There will be. The dot at position 106 is the result of the two previous passes.
With the equivalent marking element 1 'or 4' between one,
Or by the equivalent marking element 10 'during the next pass
Will be printed. For example, the matrix 65 of FIG.
In the dot, the equivalent marking during pass 5
Printed on location 104 by element 9 ′
Marked on position 106 by equivalent marking element 1 'in between
Is printed. After the third pass, the print head 50 is activated.
Is moved again by a quarter of the length of the marking element
You. During the fourth pass, the marking element 1'-
12 ′ is 4 in the main scanning direction F of the column starting at the fourth row R4.
Would print every th pixel. During the fourth pass
In addition, the position where the print head 50 prints is the matrix shown in FIG.
Indicated by 4 in box 65. Marking element 3 ',
If 7 'and 11' are incomplete, start at row R4
For each fourth row, positions 108, 110 and 1 above it
12 are marking elements 3 ', 7' and 11 ', respectively.
Will not print. Dot on position 108
Is the subsequent pass (pass 5, pass 6, and pass 7, respectively)
Between the equivalent marking elements 6 ', 9' or 1
Will be printed by one of the 2 '. On location 110
The dot is an equivalent mark during one of the two previous passes.
Equivalent by element 1 'or 4' or during the next pass
Will be printed by the marking element 10 '. Rank
The dot on the location 112 is during one of the three previous passes
Printed by the equivalent marking element 2 ', 5' or 8 '
Will be. For example, in the matrix 65 of FIG.
The dots are equivalent marking elements during pass 6
9 'printed on location 108, equivalent during pass 2
Printed on the position 110 by the marking element 1 ′ of
In addition, the position by the equivalent marking element 5 ′ during the passage 2
Printed on 112. After the fourth pass, print head 5
0 is a quarter of the length of the active marking element.
Be moved. The length of the print head 50 is one quarter of its length.
Barrel movement, start of printing in first row R1, head 5
Movement of 0 over a quarter of its length, in the second row R2
Start of printing, four quarters of its length of print head 50
1 move, start printing in third row R3, mark
Movement of the print head 50 over a quarter of its length, and
The cycle including the start of printing in the fourth row R4 continues.
Repeated. FIG. 10 shows an ink usable according to the present invention.
Highly schematic generalized jet printer 20
It is a perspective view. The printer 20 includes a base 31 and a carrier.
Assembly 32, step motor 33, step motor
A driving belt 34 driven by the
A guide rail assembly 36 for the carriage assembly 32 is provided. Duplicate
Print head 10 having a number of nozzles is a carriage assembly
32. One or more print heads 10
Ink cartridge or appropriate ink supply system as appropriate
Can also be provided. A sheet of paper 37 is
(Not shown) to provide a signal in the sub-scanning direction above the support 38.
Paid. The carriage assembly 32 includes the step motor 3
The guide rail is driven by the action of the drive belt 34 driven by the
It is moved in the main scanning direction along the rule assembly 36. FIG. 11 shows an electronic control system of the printer 20.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a stem, which is a printing system according to the present invention.
1 is an example of a control system used with the pad 10. Step
The linter 20 receives a signal from the host computer 30.
Buffer memory to accept print files in formula
40, image buffer 4 for storing print data
2 and a printer for controlling all operations of the printer 10.
An intermediary control device 60 is provided. Carriage assembly drive module
Main scanning driver 62 for the printer 66
Scan driver 66 for printer 68 and print head
10. The head driver 44 for the printer control device 6
Connected to 0. Optionally, controlling the printing operation according to the present invention.
A data storage device 70 for storing
You. The host computer 30 is, for example, a U.S.
Pentium III Micropro supplied by Le
Has a processor, memory and US Microsoft
Graphics such as Windows 98 supplied by
Suitable for a personal computer with a
It can be a smart programmable device. Pudding
The controller 60 is a computing device such as a microprocessor.
For example, a microcontroller.
Can be a trawler. In particular, this
Ramable array logic (PAL), programmable logic
Magic arrays, programmable gate arrays, especially
Like a programmable gate array (FPGA)
With programmable digital logic elements
Wear. The use of FPGA is, for example, required setting of FPGA
Printer control device by downloading the
Allow programming. The user of the printer 20 sends a message to the printer.
In the data storage device 70 to change the operation of the
Value can be set selectively. The user, for example,
For example, by means of the menu console 46 of the printer 20.
Can set a value in the data storage device 70.
You. Alternatively, these parameters can be
Manually from the host computer 30
It can be set in the data storage device 70. example
Based on data identified and entered by the user
Printer driver of the host computer 30
(Not shown) are the various parameters that determine the printing operation
And determine these, eg, resolution, data
Printer control device 60 for writing to storage device 70
To communicate. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer control device 6
0 is a settable parameter stored in the data storage device 70.
Control the operation of the printer head 10 according to the meter
Is Rukoto. The printer control device is responsible for these parameters.
Based on the data stored in the buffer storage device 40.
Required information contained in the print data, and
Control signals are sent to drivers 62, 64 and 44. Special
In addition, the control device 60 is used to print an image on a print medium.
Compatible with all dot matrix printers
The control unit has a software for controlling the printing of the image.
Hardware and hardware means, and the method of the present invention.
Marker required to compensate for more incomplete marker elements
Software and hardware to provide elemental alternating injection plans
Air means is provided. According to the present invention, the control device 60
How to replace a complete marker element with another marker element
The head driver 44 is driven by the method. For example, print data is stored in a reception buffer.
The bit map for each color element stored in the storage device 30
Separated into individual color components to obtain
It is. By a control signal from the printer control device 60,
The head driver 44 is marked to obtain the required resolution.
Drives the speed of the print head 10 and the array of nozzles on the head
Color image data from the image buffer storage device 52.
Read image data. As indicated above, the control device 6
0 can be programmable, for example, microphone
And an FPGA or FPGA. Book
According to embodiments of the invention, the printer according to the invention
To provide a plan for incomplete marker elements
Can be For example, the basic model of a printer
Should not wait for any marker element replacement plans.
Can be. Microcontroller 60
Program to be downloaded to a processor or FPGA
Upgrading in format is an additional marker element
Functionality, for example, how to compensate for incomplete markers according to the invention
Law can be provided. Therefore, the present invention
When executed on a device, any of the methods according to the present invention
Computer program product that also provides
You. In addition, the present invention provides a machine readable and computing device.
Implements at least one of the methods of the present invention when executed on a
CD-ROM for storing computer products to be executed or
Includes a data carrier such as a diskette. Recently
Does not allow such software to be downloaded
-Provided on the Internet or on the company intranet
Many, and therefore, the invention is directed to a printing computer according to the invention.
Products over a corporate or wide area network.
Through the communication. The computing device is a micropro
It may include one of a processor and an FPGA. The data storage device 70 is known to the skilled person.
Appropriately suitable devices for digital data storage, such as Regis
Set of registers or registers, RAM, EPROM or solid
A memory device such as a memory can be provided. The present invention is illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment.
Although described and described, departures from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Various changes and changes in form and details
Obtaining will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
For example, printing to perform the printed embodiment described above
The preparation of the file for
Printer 20 can be connected to the host computer.
Simply follow this file as a slave device of the
Just print. Therefore, the present invention provides a host computer.
Executed in the software of the
A program that executes instructions from a computer without modification.
Includes a print plan of the present invention printed on a linter. Follow
Thus, the present invention relates to a computing device combined with a printing head.
Any of the methods according to the present invention when performed in
Includes computer program products that also provide
No. This printing plan covers the printing heads that
Or a programmable computing device or program
Connect a programmable device to a computer or computer system.
System, for example, a corporate network connected to a printer
Work. Printer is network
It can be a printer. Further, the invention relates to a machine
CD-ROM for storing computer products that can be read
Or include a data carrier such as a diskette,
Program stored in the data carrier
At least one of the methods of the invention when implemented in a device
Can be performed. The computing device can be a personal computer or
Workstations. These days
Software is available on the Internet for download
Or is often provided on the intranet of the company,
Therefore, the present invention provides a printing computer according to the present invention.
Propagate products over corporate or wide area networks
Including reaching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1.
1 shows an example of a printing head having 16 marking elements used for 0% interpenetrating printing. 2 shows the same but incomplete marking element 1 as in FIG.
Are shown. FIG. 3 shows the same but incomplete marking element 1 as in FIG.
9 shows an embodiment having the following. FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 3, with the head reconfigured according to the first embodiment to have a marking element redundancy of 2 as in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 3, but with the head reconfigured according to the second embodiment to have a marking element redundancy of 2 as in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 3, but with the head reconfigured according to the third embodiment to have a marking element redundancy of 2 as in FIG. 1; FIG. 7: 25% with redundancy 4 of the marking element
1 shows an embodiment of a printing head having 16 marking elements used for interpenetrating printing. FIG. 8 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 5, but with the head reconfigured according to the first embodiment to have a marking element redundancy of 4 as in FIG. 5; FIG. 9 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 5 but with the head reconfigured according to the second embodiment to have a marking element redundancy of 4 as in FIG. 5; FIG. 10 is a highly schematic representation of an ink jet printer for use with the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a printer control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Marking element 2 Marking element 3 Marking element 4 Marking element 5 Marking element 6 Marking element 7 Marking element 50 Printing head 65 Matrix 66 Print medium

Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Patrik van den Bergen             Belgian Be 2640 Malt Cell Septes             Trat 27 Agfa-Gevuert F term (reference) 2C056 EA04 EC34 EC71 EC74 EC75                       EC78 EC79 FA10                 2C062 AA32

Claims (1)

Claims 1. A dot matrix capable of printing a dot matrix (65) on a print medium (66) using a plurality of marking elements (1-16) on a print head (50). A printing method, wherein: all the dots in the dot matrix (65) are printable by applying each of the sets of combinations, and any dot in the dot matrix (65) from an equivalent set of marking elements. The jetting sequence of the plurality of marking elements (1-16) and the print medium (66) and the printing head (50) so that they can be printed by at least first and second equivalent marking elements (1 and 9). And determining a set of combinations of sequences of relative translation between the first and second firing sequences to print the set of dots in the dot matrix (65). Selecting a first equivalent marking element (1) from the set of equivalent marking elements so as to print the set of dots with a preset number of equivalent marking elements (1, If 9) is incomplete,
A method comprising reconfiguring a printing head (50) such that at least another set of first and second equivalent marking elements is determined.