JP2005169941A - Ink-jet recording device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording device which eliminates an inconvenience that ejection data cannot be sufficiently transmitted in time if the number of colors and the number of nozzles for ink-jet heads are increased, and to provide a method of controlling the ink-jet recording device. <P>SOLUTION: The ink-jet recording device is formed of a first memory section 102, a second memory section 105, a location detecting sensor 201, a driving section 106, and a control section 104. The first memory section stores therein the ink ejection data to be recorded on a recording medium. Then provided that the nozzles for one row of the ink-jet head are divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of the plurality of nozzles that are ejected at the same time, and that the one block is set as one column consisting of the plurality of nozzles that are ejected at the same time, the second memory section captures data corresponding to the plurality of columns from the first memory section. The location detecting sensor detects a relative location of the ink-jet head with respect to the recording medium. The driving section captures the data from the second memory section, based on location information from the location detecting sensor, to thereby generate ejection driving waveforms for the ink-jet head. The control section changes the number of the columns of the data storable in the second memory section, according to the number of the plurality of ink-jet heads. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording technique for performing recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using an ink jet head.

  A head used in an ink jet printer has an ink nozzle that is an opening facing a recording medium at the time of printing, and has a structure that discharges ink droplets by heating a heater that exists in a deep portion of the nozzle and generating bubbles. Yes.

  Many printers use an encoder scale and an optical transmission type sensor to detect the scale position to detect the absolute position of the carriage to determine the ink ejection timing, thereby realizing high-definition inkjet printing. I have done it. Based on the position information instructed by the encoder scale, the ejection data is transmitted to the ink jet head, and after transmission, energy is input by applying a heat pulse to eject ink and form an image.

In recent years, the number of nozzles in the column direction of the head has been increasing, and the printing speed has been improved in proportion to the number of nozzles. However, when the number of nozzles increases, it is impossible to simultaneously discharge all the data for one column (for all nozzles in one nozzle row) in terms of power supply capacity, and the maximum simultaneous discharge nozzle allowed by the power supply is the same block. The unit must be heated to the block unit. The data of the nozzles belonging to one unit block is serially transmitted from the inkjet head controller side. After transmission, the data is latched in the latch circuit inside the head, and then the heat pulse is applied. When the heat pulse is active, the head voltage Is added to the heater inside the inkjet head, and ink is ejected from the nozzles. In response to a print request from the position information generated from the encoder scale, it is necessary to eject ink after a predetermined time, and if the ejection data transmission is not in time, the print image will be disturbed as it is. The data immediately before the ejection data generation is once stored in advance in the head ejection data SRAM in the controller, and the data can be immediately retrieved in response to the data read request.
JP 2002-248770 A

  In recent years, in order to improve print image quality, the shape of inkjet nozzles has been further miniaturized, and ink droplets have become smaller, so high-resolution printing has become possible. On the other hand, an improvement in printing speed has been demanded, and by increasing the number of nozzles, it is required to reduce the number of head scans per sheet and realize high-speed printing. At this time, in the inkjet head controller, the amount of internal data processing has increased several times in proportion to the number of nozzles and the printing resolution, and a new data processing circuit configuration is required from the viewpoint of increasing the efficiency of data processing. It has become to.

  In addition, the types of inkjet heads are increasing in accordance with the printing demands of various users. Previously, four-color heads of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow were the mainstream, but in order to further expand the reproduction color gamut, six-color heads with light magenta and light cyan added, and further studies to increase colors in the future Has been done. The ink ejection amount and resolution are also set to 600 dpi at 30 picoliters for high speed printing, high resolution printing at 1200 dpi at 4 picoliters, and 8 picoliter and 2 picoliter heads. . Normally, only one type of head is used for a printer. However, when the plurality of heads are mounted, it is necessary to optimize the control as an inkjet controller.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the inconvenience that ejection data is not in time even when the number of colors and the number of nozzles of an inkjet head are increased. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is configured to scan a plurality of ink jet heads having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles while relatively scanning a recording medium. In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium by ejecting ink from a head, first storage means for storing ink ejection data to be recorded on the recording medium, and nozzles for one row of the ink jet head, When the data is divided into a plurality of blocks composed of a plurality of nozzles that are ejected at the same time and one block composed of the plurality of nozzles that are ejected simultaneously is defined as one column, 2 storage means and the relative position of the inkjet head to the recording medium A position detection means, a drive means for taking in data from the second storage means based on position information from the position detection means and generating an ejection drive waveform of the inkjet head, and a second storage means And control means for changing the number of columns of data that can be stored in accordance with the number of heads of the plurality of inkjet heads.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the second storage means performs first-in first-out control in which data is sent to the driving means in order from the first fetched data.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control means increases the number of data columns that can be stored in the second storage means when the number of heads of the plurality of ink jet heads is smaller than a predetermined number. It is characterized by making it.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control means reduces the number of data columns that can be stored in the second storage means when the number of heads of the plurality of ink jet heads is larger than a predetermined number. And the relative movement speed of the inkjet head and the recording medium is reduced.

  Further, the control method of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes ejecting ink from the ink jet head while scanning a plurality of ink jet heads having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles relative to the recording medium. In the ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, a plurality of first storage means for storing ink discharge data to be recorded on the recording medium and a plurality of nozzles for simultaneously discharging nozzles for one row of the ink jet head The second storage means for fetching data for a plurality of columns from the first storage means, and the ink jet head when one block consisting of the plurality of nozzles that are simultaneously ejected is made one column. Detecting means for detecting a relative position of the recording medium relative to the recording medium, and the position detecting means A method for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a driving unit that takes in data from the second storage unit and generates an ejection driving waveform of the ink jet head based on the position information; It is characterized by comprising a changing step of changing the number of columns of data that can be stored in the storage means in accordance with the number of heads of the plurality of inkjet heads.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention can replace recording heads having different numbers of nozzle arrays composed of a plurality of nozzles, and scans the recording heads mounted to perform recording on a recording medium. In the ink jet recording apparatus, first storage means for storing recording data, second storage means for storing the recording data read from the first storage means in column units, and detection means for detecting the type of the recording head; And control means for changing the number of columns stored in the second storage means based on the detection result of the detection means.

  According to the present invention, even when the number of colors and the number of nozzles of the inkjet head are increased, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage that the ejection data is not in time.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment divides a number of nozzles for one column into a plurality of blocks composed of a plurality of nozzles that discharge simultaneously, receives data divided in units of these blocks, and receives data by receiving heat pulses after receiving the data. This is an ink jet recording apparatus using an ink jet head that is structured to apply energy and eject ink. Data immediately before the generation of ejection data is once stored in the head ejection data SRAM in the controller in advance, and a data read request is made. On the other hand, the head discharge data SRAM was generated from the encoder scale by preparing multiple times of (maximum number of colors) x (maximum number of nozzles) x (number of columns) of the head ejection data in a configuration in which data can be extracted immediately. In response to the print request from the position information, the ejection The data transmission is not in time.

  Further, when draft printing is performed at a double speed using a 6-color head, the control is changed to a control using only the 4-color head, and the distribution of the SRAM for the head ejection data is (6 colors × nozzle number × 4 columns). (4 colors x number of nozzles x 6 columns) can be increased so that the memory access time of the SRAM for head ejection data can be increased, and data can be stored. It is characterized by enabling processing.

  Further, when an eight-color head is used, the print speed is reduced, and a configuration of (8 colors × number of nozzles × 3 columns) can process eight colors with the same memory capacity. At this time, it is necessary to reduce the printing speed due to the doubling of the number of colors of the head due to the limitation of the power capacity, and to be equal to or less than the power capacity limit.

  Next, the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  In the embodiment described below, a recording apparatus using a recording head according to an ink jet method will be described as an example.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not only for forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also for human beings visually perceived regardless of significance. Regardless of whether or not it has been manifested, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or the medium is processed.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  Furthermore, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of “recording (printing)” above. It represents a liquid that can be used for forming a pattern or the like, processing a recording medium, or processing an ink (for example, solidification or insolubilization of a colorant in ink applied to the recording medium).

  Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the “nozzle” collectively refers to an ejection port or a liquid channel communicating with the ejection port and an element that generates energy used for ink ejection.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a printer unit used in this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes an auto-feeder unit that separates the sheets stacked on the sheet one by one and performs a sheet feeding operation by a sheet feeding mechanism such as an LF (line feed) motor 305 and an LF gear 304. With the paper fed, the carriage drive motor 310 moves the belt 311 connected to the carriage 307, whereby the carriage 307 is scanned and moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction.

  An ink jet head 107 is mounted on the carriage 307 and is attached / detached by a head attaching / detaching lever 308. For example, an 8-color head (8-color recording head) and a 4-color head (4-color recording head) can be exchanged. Although not shown, a means for detecting the replacement of the recording head is provided. The carriage 307 is slidably supported by a shaft fixed to the chassis 303 by a bearing 306. The position detection that the carriage 307 has moved is performed by the encoder scale 312 and the encoder sensor 201 not shown in FIG. Reference numeral 309 denotes a recovery unit for recovering clogging of the nozzles of the inkjet head 107.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit of the ink jet printer.

  The encoder sensor 201 is mounted on a CR (carriage) board unit 419, and the encoder sensor 201 reads the encoder scale 312 to detect the amount of movement of the carriage 307. The encoder signal 416 output from the encoder sensor 201 is output to the main board unit 401. The inkjet head 107 is controlled to be ejected by a head drive signal 417 output from the main board unit 401 via the CR board unit 419.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a power supply unit that supplies power used by the printer via the main board.

  A PE sensor 413 controls the supply / discharge of the printer by detecting the presence or absence of printing paper.

  Reference numeral 414 denotes a PG sensor, which is a sensor for performing recovery operation control by detecting a cam position in the recovery unit 309.

  An operation panel 415 includes a switch and an LCD panel and serves as an interface with the user.

Reference numeral 401 denotes a main board unit, which is a PCB unit on which main electrical components for printer control are mounted. The ink jet printer controller 101, which is the main component of the printer control logic circuit, is a single chip having various functions including an ink jet head controller. It takes the signal of the encoder sensor 201, detects the carriage position, A drive signal 417 is generated. Also, the PE sensor 413, the PG sensor 414, and the operation panel 415 are connected to the inkjet printer controller 101 and controlled. Although not shown in the drawing, the inkjet printer controller 101 also controls the motor control circuit 403.
The ink jet printer controller 101 is connected to the CPU 405, the I / F control circuit 408, the program ROM 409, and the RAM 410 via an internal bus 406. The I / F control circuit 408 controls the parallel interface 411 and the serial interface 412.

  The CPU 405 controls the printer by controlling the inkjet printer controller 101 using the program ROM 409 and RAM 410.

  The motor control circuit 403 converts the signal subjected to logic processing by the ASIC into drive signals for the PG motor 404, the CR motor 310, the LF motor 305, and the paper feed motor 418. A PG motor 404 is a motor that drives a recovery unit 309, a CR motor 310 is a motor that drives a carriage 307, an LF motor 305 is a motor that conveys paper, and a paper feed motor 418 is fed from the auto sheet feeder unit 301 one by one. A motor for separating the paper and passing it to the paper transport means.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the printer of this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an inkjet printer controller which is a custom IC in which the circuit of this embodiment is built.

  The print buffer controller 103 reads out necessary data from the print buffer 102 of the external SDRAM storing the print data, performs data processing, and transfers it to the head discharge data SRAM controller 104. The head discharge data SRAM controller 104 once stores the data in the head discharge data SRAM, reads the data again at a necessary timing, and sends the data to the head discharge waveform generation controller 106. The head ejection waveform generation controller 106 generates a head data transfer waveform and a head drive waveform in a form that matches the specifications of the inkjet head 107.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the circuit shown in FIG.

  An encoder pulse corresponding to 300 dpi received from the encoder sensor 201 is input to the inkjet printer controller 101, and encoder pulses corresponding to 600 dpi, 1200 dpi, and 2400 dpi are generated using the encoder signal multiplication circuit 202 and input to the encoder sequence controller 203. The encoder sequence controller 203 controls the print buffer controller 103 and the head ejection data SRAM controller 104 in accordance with the printer operation mode set in the mode register 204.

  Based on the preset print start position information, the encoder sequence controller 203 makes a data access request to the print buffer sequence controller 205. Upon receiving the request, the print buffer sequence controller 205 generates a memory address via the print buffer address generation circuit 206, is converted into an SDRAM access waveform by the SDRAM controller 207, and performs a burst read operation on the print buffer SDRAM 102. The read data read in burst is converted into a bus width by the SDRAM controller 207, expanded to a 256-bit bus, and sent to the data generation circuit 208. The data generation circuit 208 performs the above 256-bit data access three times, extracts necessary data, creates 640-bit data, and transfers it to the head discharge data SRAM controller 104.

  The sequence controller 210 in the head ejection data SRAM controller 104 operates at the timing determined by the encoder sequence controller 203 and the print buffer sequence controller 205, and receives the data received from the data generation circuit 208 via the write control circuit 211. Is stored in accordance with the format of the SRAM 105 for head ejection data via the bus controller 212. Also, the read controller 213 is activated by the sequence controller 210 and reads data from the head ejection data SRAM 105 via the bus controller 212.

  The bus controller 212 performs bus arbitration for the head ejection data SRAM 105 of the write control circuit 211 and the read control circuit 213.

  The data read by the read control circuit 213 is converted by the head ejection waveform generation controller 220 into a serial transmission waveform that conforms to the specifications of the inkjet head 107 and transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the inkjet head 107 includes eight heads: a light yellow head 230, a yellow head 231, a light magenta head 232, a magenta head 233, a light cyan head 234, a cyan head 235, a light black head 236, and a black head 237. The eight-color head is composed of the following, and a drive waveform is supplied to each head. Each of these heads (230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237) is composed of a plurality of nozzles.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method in which the head discharge data SRAM controller 104 performs FIFO (first in first out) control of the head discharge data SRAM 105.

  The memory area stored in the head ejection data SRAM 105 is divided into three and stores data for three head columns. There are three typical control states.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes state 1.

  The nth column data in state 1 is stored in 502, and the read control circuit 213 is in a read or readable state.

  503 stores data of the (n + 1) th column in state 1.

  Reference numeral 504 denotes a write end state in which data in the (n + 2) th column in state 1 is being written or can be written by the write control circuit 211.

  Reference numeral 511 denotes state 2.

  In 512, the data in the n + 3th column in the state 2 is being written or can be written by the write control circuit 211, and is in the write end state.

  513 stores the data of the (n + 1) th column in the state 2, and the read control circuit 213 is in the state of being readable or readable.

  514 stores data of the (n + 2) th column in the state 2.

  Reference numeral 521 denotes state 3.

  522 stores data of the (n + 3) th column in the state 3.

  In the state 523, the data in the (n + 4) th column in the state 3 is being written or can be written by the write control circuit 211, and is in a write end state.

  524 stores data in the (n + 2) th column in the state 3, and the read control circuit 213 is in a state of being readable or readable.

  By repeating the above operations, the head ejection data SRAM 105 can be used as a FIFO to satisfy the access timing.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific data structure inside the head ejection data SRAM 105 when the four-color head is driven.

  The memory area stored in the head ejection data SRAM 105 is divided into a total of four areas: yellow data 600, magenta data 610, cyan data 620, and black data 630, and stores data for six columns of each head. ing.

  The yellow data 600 is subdivided into 6 column data. In the figure, 601 is yellow nth column data, 602 is yellow n + 1 column data, and 603 is yellow n + 2 column data. 604 is yellow n + 3 column data, 605 is yellow n + 4 column data, and 606 is yellow n + 5 column data.

  Similarly, regarding magenta data, 611 is data in the nth column of magenta, 612 is data in the n + 1 column of magenta, 613 is data in the n + 2 column of magenta, 614 is data in the n + 3 column of magenta, and 615 is magenta. N + 4 column data, and 616 is magenta n + 5 column data.

  Regarding cyan data, 621 is data in the nth column of cyan, 622 is data in the n + 1 column of cyan, 623 is data in the n + 2 column of cyan, 624 is data in the n + 3 column of cyan, and 625 is n + 4 of cyan. Column data 626 is cyan n + 5th column data.

  Regarding black data, 631 is black n-th column data, 632 is black n + 1-th column data, 633 is black n + 2-th column data, 634 is black n + 3-th column data, and 635 is black n + 4. Column data 636 is black n + 5 column data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a specific data structure inside the head ejection data SRAM 105 when the 8-color head is driven.

  The memory area stored in the head ejection data SRAM 105 is light yellow data 700, yellow data 710, light magenta data 720, magenta data 730, light cyan data 740, cyan data 750, light black data 760, black. The data 770 is divided into a total of eight, and data for three columns of each head is stored.

  The light yellow data 700 is subdivided into data of three columns. In the figure, 701 is data of the nth column of light yellow, 702 is data of the n + 1 column of light yellow, and 703 is n + 2 of light yellow. This is the data for the column.

  Similarly, regarding yellow data, 711 is yellow nth column data, 712 is yellow n + 1 column data, and 713 is yellow n + 2 column data.

  Regarding the light magenta data, 721 is the data of the nth column of light magenta, 722 is the data of the n + 1 column of light magenta, and 723 is the data of the n + 2 column of light magenta.

  With respect to magenta data, 731 is data in the nth column of magenta, 732 is data in the n + 1 column of magenta, and 733 is data in the n + 2 column of magenta. Regarding the light cyan data, 741 is data of the nth column of light cyan, 742 is data of the n + 1 column of light cyan, and 743 is data of the n + 2 column of light cyan.

  Regarding cyan data, 751 is data of the nth column of cyan, 752 is data of the n + 1 column of cyan, and 753 is data of the n + 2 column of cyan.

  Regarding the light black data, 761 is data of the nth column of light black, 762 is data of the n + 1 column of light black, and 763 is data of the n + 2 column of light black.

  Regarding black data, 771 is black n-th column data, 772 is black n + 1-th column data, and 773 is black n + 2-th column data.

  FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram in 24 block division driving.

  Reference numeral 840 denotes a voltage axis, and 841 denotes a time axis.

  Reference numeral 801 denotes a 300 dpi A-phase encoder pulse input from the encoder sensor 201. Similarly, reference numeral 802 denotes a B-phase encoder pulse. Reference numeral 803 denotes a pulse width required for the carriage to move a distance of 300 dpi. Carriage is 25 inch / sec. When moving at a speed of 133 μs, it takes 133 μs. Reference numeral 804 denotes a trigger waveform for every 300 dpi created from the waveform 801 of the encoder A phase. Reference numeral 805 denotes a trigger waveform having a 600 dpi period created by the encoder signal multiplication circuit 202. Reference numeral 806 is an enlarged view of a trigger waveform 805 having a 600 dpi period, and reference numeral 807 denotes a pulse width corresponding to 600 dpi.

  Reference numeral 808 denotes a block trigger waveform for driving a pulse width equivalent to 600 dpi in 24 divisions, 809 denotes a heat pulse waveform, 810 denotes a heat pulse for block 1, and 811 denotes a heat pulse for block 2.

  820 is a latch pulse waveform for latching serially transferred data, 821 is a block 1 latch pulse, and 822 is a block 2 latch pulse.

  Reference numeral 830 denotes a serial clock waveform, 831 denotes a serial data waveform, 832 denotes data in the block 2, and 833 denotes data in the block 3.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print image at the time of 24 division driving. Reference numeral 107 denotes an ink jet head, and reference numeral 901 denotes a printing paper. The nozzle position when the ink jet head is seen through from above is as shown in the figure.

  The nozzle 905 belongs to the block 23, and the nozzle 906 belongs to the block 0. The interior of the ink jet head 107 has a nozzle arrangement belonging to the same block every 24 nozzles. Reference numeral 904 denotes a carriage operation direction, and the head 107 moves on the printing paper 901 from left to right.

  Since the nozzle position is shifted for each block, after ejecting the nozzle of block 0, the inkjet head 107 is moved to the right, and then the nozzle of block 1 is ejected. Give and drive. The print result is printed in a straight line like print data 902 in the first column. Reference numeral 903 denotes a print result of the second column shifted by 600 dpi.

  FIG. 10 is a control waveform diagram when the four-color head is driven.

  The x-axis 1050 indicates time. Reference numeral 1001 denotes the use state of the print buffer. A period indicated by 1002 is an access state of the print buffer, and a period indicated by 1003 is a state without access. In this figure, only the print buffer controller 103 is assumed to access the print buffer, and it can be seen that there is a sufficient margin for accessing the print buffer.

  More specifically, 1004 is an n-column Y (yellow) head ejection data SRAM (hereinafter referred to as HSRAM) write data read, 1005 is an n-column M (magenta) HSRAM write data read, and 1006 is an n-column data read. C (cyan) HSRAM write data read, 1007 indicates an access period of n column BK (black) HSRAM write data read.

  The data read from the print buffer is subjected to data processing by the print buffer controller 103 and then written to the head discharge data SRAM 105 by the head discharge data SRAM controller (hereinafter referred to as HSRAMC) 104. 1010 is a Y data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, 1011 is a Y data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC of n columns, 1012 is an M data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, and 1013 is an M data write transfer to HSRAMC of n columns. Reference numeral 1014 denotes C data write transfer to the HSRAMC, 1015 denotes C data write transfer to the n-column HSRAMC, 1016 denotes BK data write transfer to the HSRAMC, and 1017 denotes BK data write transfer to the n-column HSRAMC. .

  Reference numeral 1020 indicates Y data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and reference numeral 1021 indicates Y data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the n-2 column, and indicates 24 read transfers of all 24 blocks during this period.

  Reference numeral 1022 denotes an M data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and reference numeral 1023 denotes an M data read transfer from the n-2 column HSRAMC.

  1024 is a C data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1025 is a C data read transfer from the HSRAMC in the n-2 column. Reference numeral 1026 denotes BK data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and reference numeral 1027 denotes BK data read transfer from the n-2 column HSRAMC.

  Reference numeral 1030 denotes a serial transfer to the head, which is a waveform obtained by converting the data received by the read data transfer from the HSRAMC of 1020, 1022, 1024, and 1026 into serial data and outputting it according to the specifications of the head. Reference numeral 1031 denotes serial transfer to the head of the n-2 column, and the data transfer of all 24 blocks for four colors is collectively displayed. Reference numeral 1032 denotes a period indicating a transfer state, and reference numeral 1033 denotes a period without transfer.

  A head heat signal 1040 is a signal for heating the data received at 1030. Reference numeral 1041 denotes a heat signal of the n-2 column head. Actually, 24 pulses corresponding to 24 blocks are included.

  FIG. 11 is a control waveform diagram when the four-color head is driven.

  In this figure, it is assumed that there are many accesses to the print buffer other than the print buffer controller 103, and there is no room for access to the print buffer.

  1101 is an access cycle 1 other than HSRAM write, 1102 is an access cycle 2 other than HSRAM write, 1103 is an access cycle 3 other than HSRAM write, 1104 is an access cycle 4 other than HSRAM write, 1105 is an access cycle 5 other than HSRAM write, Reference numeral 1106 denotes an access cycle 6 other than the HSRAM write, and these cycles are inserted during the access of the HSRAM write data read.

  Reference numeral 1110 denotes BK data read transfer from the n-column HSRAMC. Data to be read is written at a timing of 1017. Therefore, no data exists at the timing of 1110, and an error 1111 due to lack of data occurs. Similarly, 1112 is Y data write transfer to the HSRAMC in the (n + 1) column. Since this is also after the Y data read transfer 1113 to the HSRAMC in the (n + 1) column, an error 1114 due to lack of data occurs. These errors indicate that there is a lack of data to be printed as a printer, and are fatal errors.

  FIG. 12 is a control waveform diagram when the four-color head is driven.

  In this figure, it is assumed that there are many accesses to the print buffer other than the print buffer controller 103, but the column configuration of the head ejection data SRAM 105 is 6 columns for each color as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is usually structured to store FIFO data of 4 columns or more. Therefore, even if an access cycle other than the HSRAM write shown in FIG. 11 occurs, no error has occurred by using data stored in advance in the FIFO.

  More specifically, 1200 is Y data read transfer to HSRAMC, 1201 is Y data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-5 column, 1202 is M data read transfer to HSRAMC, and 1203 is from HSRAMC in n-5 column. M data read transfer, 1204 is C data read transfer to HSRAMC, 1205 is C data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-5 column, 1206 is BK data read transfer to HSRAMC, 1207 is from HSRAMC in n-5 column BK data read transfer is shown.

  In FIG. 11, it can be seen that at the timing of 1201, Y data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the (n−2) th column is considered, and extra data for 3 columns is stored.

  1210 is a serial transfer to the head, 1211 is a serial transfer to the head of the n-5 column, 1220 is a heat signal of the head, 1221 is a heat signal of the head of the n-5 column, and all are shifted by 3 columns from FIG. It has become access.

  In the case where an access cycle other than the HSRAM write similar to the case of FIG. 11 occurs, for the M data read transfer to 1231 n-1 column HSRAMC with the strictest access timing, the write side has 1230 n + 1 column Since M data write transfer to HSRAMC is performed, data is secured as indicated by 1232 and there is no error.

  FIG. 13 is a control waveform diagram when the eight-color head is driven.

  In this figure, as in FIG. 12, it is assumed that there are many accesses to the print buffer other than the print buffer controller 103, but the 600 dpi moving period shown in 1300 is doubled as compared to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the column configuration of the head ejection data SRAM 105 is stored with three columns of data for each color, and usually one or more FIFO data is stored. With this structure, even if an access cycle other than the HSRAM write shown in FIG. 13 occurs, no error has occurred by using data stored in advance in the FIFO.

  More specifically, reference numeral 1301 indicates a use state of the print buffer, 1310 is an access cycle 1 other than HSRAM write, 1311 is an access cycle 2 other than HSRAM write, 1312 is an access cycle 3 other than HSRAM write, and 1313 is HSRAM. Access cycles 4 and 1314 other than write are access cycles 5 other than HSRAM write. These cycles are inserted between HSRAM write data read accesses.

  1302 is an n-column LY (light yellow) HSRAM write data read, 1303 is an n-column Y (yellow) HSRAM write data read, and 1304 is an n-column LM (light magenta) HSRAM write. Data read, 1305 is an n-column M (magenta) HSRAM write data read, 1306 is an n-column LC (light cyan) HSRAM write data read, and 1307 is an n-column C (cyan) HSRAM write. , 1308 indicates an n-column LBK (light black) HSRAM write data read, and 1309 indicates an n-column BK (black) HSRAM write data read access period.

  The data read from the print buffer is subjected to data processing by the print buffer controller 103 and then written to the head discharge data SRAM (HSRAM) 105 by the head discharge data SRAM controller (HSRAMC) 104.

  1320 is an LY data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, 1321 is an LY data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC in the n column, 1322 is a Y data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, and 1323 is a Y data write waveform to the HSRAMC in n column. Transfer, 1324 is an LM data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, 1325 is an LM data write transfer to HSRAMC in n columns, 1326 is an M data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, and 1327 is an M data write to HSRAMC in 1 column. Data write transfer, 1328 is LC data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, 1329 is LC data write transfer to HSRAMC of n column, 1330 is C data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, and 1331 is to HSRAMC of n column C Data write transfer, 1332 is an LBK data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, 1333 is an LBK data write transfer to HSRAMC of n columns, 1334 is a BK data write transfer waveform to HSRAMC, and 1335 is an HSRAMC of n columns. BK data write transfer is shown.

  Reference numeral 1340 denotes LY data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1341 denotes Y data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the n-2 column, and 24 read transfers of all 24 blocks in this period.

  1342 is a Y data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1343 is a Y data read transfer from the n-2 column HSRAMC.

  1344 is an LM data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1345 is an LM data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the n-2 column.

  1346 is an M data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1347 is an M data read transfer from the n-2 column HSRAMC.

  1348 is LC data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1349 is LC data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the n-2 column.

  1350 is a C data read transfer from HSRAMC, and 1351 is a C data read transfer from HSRAMC in the n-2 column.

  Reference numeral 1352 denotes LBK data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1353 denotes LBK data read transfer from the n-2 column HSRAMC.

  1354 is BK data read transfer from the HSRAMC, and 1355 is BK data read transfer from the HSRAMC of the n-2 column.

  1360 indicates the serial transfer to the head, and the data received by the read data transfer from the HSRAMC of 1340, 1342, 1344, 1346, 1348, 1350, 1352, 1354 is converted into serial data and matched with the head specifications. Is the output waveform. Reference numeral 1361 denotes serial transfer to the head of the n-2 column, and the data transfer of all 24 blocks for four colors is collectively displayed. Reference numeral 1362 denotes a period in which the transfer state is indicated, and reference numeral 1363 denotes a period in which no transfer is performed.

  A head heat signal 1370 is a signal for heating the data received in 1360. Reference numeral 1371 denotes a heat signal of the head of the n-2 column. Actually, 24 pulses corresponding to 24 blocks are included.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a printer control method when the number of ink jet heads used is variable, which is the operation of this embodiment.

  First, the user instructs to start printing control in S101. In S102, it is determined from the result of the detecting means for detecting the type of the head whether the type (type) of the head used (attached) to the printer is an 8-color head.

  If it is an 8-color head, the 8-color head drive is set in S111, and other controller print parameters are set in S112. If the 8-color head is not used in S102, the 4-color head drive is set in S121, and other controller print parameters are set in S122.

  Next, data is received from the IF in S131, print data is created in S132, and a paper feeding operation is performed in S133. In S151, the carriage scanning operation is started, and the carriage is accelerated to the printing speed. In S152, the printing operation is performed with the number of drive blocks set in S102. In S153, one scan printing is completed, and the carriage is decelerated. By stopping, the carriage scan operation of S154 is completed. After one scan printing, if it is not determined in S155 that the printing is completed, the paper feeding operation in S156 is performed, and one scan printing is performed again in S151. If it is determined in S155 that printing has been completed, a paper discharge operation is performed in S160, and printing in S161 is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data configuration stored in the head discharge data SRAM is changed according to the number of mounted heads, and when the number of heads is small, the number of columns to be stored is increased. By utilizing this as in-first-out, the data already stored can be used when the memory access is not in time, so that high-speed printing is possible.

  On the other hand, when the number of mounted heads increases, the data configuration stored in the head ejection data SRAM is changed, and when there are many heads, instead of reducing the number of columns stored as FIFO, the corresponding number of heads is increased and printing is performed. By reducing the speed, it is possible to give a margin to the print buffer access time and enable high-definition printing control.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, an object of each embodiment is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) on which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the detailed structure of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer unit used in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram relating to main electrical components of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the FIFO control method of SRAM for head discharge data in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a specific data configuration diagram in the SRAM when driving a four-color head in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a specific data configuration diagram in the SRAM when driving an eight-color head in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a wave form diagram in 24 block division drive in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a printing image figure in 24 block division drive in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a control waveform diagram at the time of four-color head driving in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a control waveform diagram when driving a four-color head. It is a control waveform diagram at the time of four-color head driving in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a control waveform diagram when driving an eight-color head in an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printer control method when the number of ink jet heads in the embodiment of the present invention is variable. It is a figure which shows the head structure of an inkjet head.

Explanation of symbols

101 Inkjet printer controller 102 Print buffer 103 Print buffer controller
104 Head ejection data SRAM controller 105 Head ejection data SRAM
106 Head ejection waveform generation controller 107 Inkjet head 201 Encoder sensor 202 Encoder signal multiplication circuit 203 Encoder sequence controller
204 Mode register 205 Print buffer sequence controller 206 Address generation circuit 207 SDRAM controller 208 Data generation circuit 210 Sequence controller 211 Write control circuit 212 Bus controller 213 Read control circuit 220 Head ejection waveform generation controller 230 LY head 231 Y head 232 LM head 233 M Head 234 LC head 235 C head 236 LBK head 237 BK head 301 Auto sheet feeder unit 303 Chassis 304 LF gear 305 LF motor 306 Bearing 307 Carriage 308 Head attach / detach lever 309 Recovery unit 310 Carriage drive motor 311 Belt 312 Encoder scale 401 Main board unit
402 Power supply unit 403 Motor control circuit 404 PG motor 405 CPU
406 Internal bus 408 I / F control circuit 409 Program ROM
410 RAM
411 Parallel interface 412 Serial interface 413 PE sensor 414 PG sensor 415 Operation panel 416 Encoder signal 417 Head drive signal 418 Paper feed motor 419 CR board unit 501 State 1
502 n-th column data 503 in state 1 n + 1-th column data 504 in state 1 n + 2-th column data 511 in state 1 state 2
512 Data in the nth column in state 2 513 Data in the (n + 1) th column in state 2 514 Data in the (n + 2) th column in state 2 521
522 nth column data 523 in state 2 n + 1 column data 524 in state 2 n + 2 column data 600 in state 2 Y data 601 Yn column data 602 Yn + 1 column data 603 Yn + 2 column data 604 Yn + 3 column data 605 Yn + 4 column data 606 Yn + 5 column data 610 M data 611 Mn column data 612 Mn + 1 column data 613 Mn + 2 column data 614 Mn + 3 column data 615 Mn + 4 column data Data 616 Mn + 5th column data 620 C data 621 Cn column data 622 Cn + 1 column data 623 Cn + 2 column data 624 Cn + 3 column data 625 Cn + Column data 626 Cn + 5th column data 630 BK data 631 BKn column data 632 BKn + 1 column data 633 BKn + 2 column data 634 BKn + 3 column data 635 BKn + 4 column data 636 BKn + 5 column data 700 LY data 701 LYn column data 702 LYn + 1 column data 703 LYn + 2 column data 710 Y data 711 Yn column data 712 Yn + 1 column data 713 Yn + 2 column data 720 LM data 721 LMn Column data 722 LMn + 1 column data 723 LMn + 2 column data 730 M data 731 Mn column data 732 Mn + 1 column data 73 Mn + 2 column data 740 LC data 741 LCn column data 742 LCn + 1 column data 743 LCn + 2 column data 750 C data 751 Cn column data 752 Cn + 1 column data 753 Cn + 2 column data 760 LBK data 761 LBKn column data 762 LBKn + 1 column data 763 LBKn + 2 column data 770 BK data 771 BKn column data 772 BKn + 1 column data 773 BKn + 2 column data 801 Encoder A phase 802 Encoder B Phase 803 300 dpi equivalent pulse width 804 300 dpi period trigger waveform 805 600 dpi period trigger waveform 806 600 dpi period trigger waveform enlarged view 80 7 Pulse width corresponding to 600 dpi 808 Block trigger waveform 809 Heat pulse waveform 810 Block 1 heat pulse 811 Block 2 heat pulse 820 Latch pulse waveform 821 Block 1 latch pulse 822 Block 2 latch pulse 830 Serial clock waveform 831 Serial data waveform 832 Block 2 data 833 Block 3 data 840 Voltage axis 841 Time axis 901 Print paper 902 First column print data 903 Second column print data 904 Carriage movement direction 905 Block 23 nozzle 906 Block 0 nozzle 1001 Print buffer Use state 1002 Access state 1003 No access 1004 Data read for n-column Y HSRAM write 1005 n-column for M HSRAM write Data read 1006 n column C HSRAM write data read 1007 n column BK HSRAM write data read 1010 Y data write transfer to HSRAMC 1011 n column Y data write transfer 1012 to HSRAMC M data write transfer 1013 M data write transfer to n-column HSRAMC 1014 C data write transfer to HSRAMC 1015 C data write transfer to HSRAMC in n column 1016 BK data write transfer to HSRAMC 1017 BK to HSRAMC in n column Data write transfer 1020 Y data read transfer 1021 from HSRAMC Y data read transfer 1022 from HSRAMC in n-2 column M data read transfer 1023 from HSRAMC M data read transfer 1024 from HSRAMC in n-2 column C data read transfer 1025 from HSRAMC C data read transfer 1026 from HSRAMC in n-2 column BK data read transfer 1027 from HSRAMC from HSRAMC in n-2 column BK data read transfer 1030 Serial transfer to head 1031 Serial transfer to n-2 column head 1032 Transfer state 1033 No transfer 1040 Heat signal 1041 Head heat signal 1050 of n-2 column Time axis 1101 Other than HSRAM write Access cycle 1
1102 Access cycle 2 other than HSRAM write
1103 Access cycle 3 other than HSRAM write
1104 Access cycle other than HSRAM write 4
1105 Access cycle other than HSRAM write 5
1106 Access cycle other than HSRAM write 6
1110 BK data read transfer from n-column HSRAMC 1111 Error due to lack of data 1112 Y data read transfer to HSRAMC of n + 1 column 1113 Y data read transfer to HSRAMC of n + 1 column 1114 Error 1200 due to lack of data Y data read to HSRAMC Transfer 1201 Y data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-5 column 1202 M data read transfer from HSRAMC to 1203 M data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-5 column 1204 C data read transfer from HSRAMC to 1205 HRAMC 1205 HSRAMC in n-5 column C data read transfer 1206 BK data read transfer 1207 to HSRAMC BK data read transfer 1210 from HSRAMC in n-5 column Serial to head Transfer 1211 Serial transfer to head of n-5 column 1220 Head heat signal 1221 Heat signal of head of n-5 column 1230 M data write transfer to n + 1 column HSRAMC 1231 M data read to HSRAMC of n-1 column Transfer 1232 No error due to data reservation 1300 600 dpi moving period 1301 Print buffer usage state 1302 n column LY HSRAM write data read 1303 n column Y HSRAM write data read 1304 n column LM HSRAM write Data read 1305 for n column M HSRAM write data read 1306 Data read for n column LC HSRAM write 1307 Data read 1 for n column C HSRAM write 08 n data lead 1310 HSRAM access other than the write cycle 1 for HSRAM light of BK of the data lead 1309 n column for HSRAM light of LBK of column
1311 Access cycle 2 other than HSRAM write
1312 Access cycle other than HSRAM write 3
1313 Access cycle 4 other than HSRAM write
1314 Access cycle other than HSRAM write 5
1320 LY Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1321 LY Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC of n Column 1322 Y Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1323 Y Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC of n Column 1324 LM Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1325 LM Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1326 M Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1327 M Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC in n Column 1328 LC Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC 1329 LC Data Write Transfer to HSRAMC in n Column 1330 C to HSRAMC Data write transfer 1331 n column C data write transfer to HSRAMC 1332 LBK data write transfer to HSRAMC 1333 n column to HSRAMC BK data write transfer 1334 BK data write transfer to HSRAMC 1335 BK data write transfer to HSRAMC in n column 1340 LY data read transfer from HSRAMC 1341 LY data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-2 column 1342 Y data from HSRAMC Read transfer 1343 Y data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-2 column 1344 LM data read transfer from HSRAMC 1345 LM data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-2 column 1346 M data read transfer from HSRAMC 1347 M data read transfer from HSRAMC 1348 LC data read transfer from HSRAMC 1349 LC data read transfer from HSRAMC of n-2 column 1350 HSRA C data read transfer from C 1351 C data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-2 column 1352 LBK data read transfer from HSRAMC 1353 LBK data read transfer from HSRAMC in n-2 column 1354 BK data read transfer from HSRAMC 1355 BK data read transfer from HSRAMC of n-2 column 1360 serial transfer to head 1361 serial transfer to head of n-2 column 1362 transfer state 1363 no transfer 1370 head heat signal 1371 head heat signal of n-2 column 1380 BK data read transfer from n-column HSRAMC

Claims (6)

In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the inkjet head while scanning a plurality of inkjet heads having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles relative to the recording medium.
First storage means for storing ink ejection data to be recorded on the recording medium;
When the nozzles for one row of the inkjet head are divided into a plurality of blocks composed of a plurality of nozzles that simultaneously eject, and the one block composed of the plurality of nozzles that eject simultaneously is made one column, the first storage means Second storage means for fetching data for a plurality of columns,
Position detecting means for detecting a relative position of the inkjet head with respect to the recording medium;
Drive means for taking in data from the second storage means and generating an ejection drive waveform of the inkjet head based on position information from the position detection means;
Control means for changing the number of columns of data that can be stored in the second storage means according to the number of heads of the plurality of inkjet heads;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit performs first-in first-out control of sending data to the driving unit in order from the first fetched data.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of columns of data that can be stored in the second storage unit is increased when the number of heads of the plurality of inkjet heads is smaller than a predetermined number. Inkjet recording apparatus.   When the number of heads of the plurality of inkjet heads is greater than a predetermined number, the control unit reduces the number of data columns that can be stored in the second storage unit, and the inkjet head and the recording medium The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement speed of the ink jet recording apparatus is reduced. An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the inkjet head while scanning a plurality of inkjet heads having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles relative to the recording medium. First storage means for storing ink discharge data to be recorded on a medium, and nozzles for one row of the inkjet head are divided into a plurality of blocks each including a plurality of nozzles that discharge simultaneously, and the plurality of nozzles that discharge simultaneously Position detection for detecting the relative position of the inkjet head with respect to the recording medium, and second storage means for fetching data for a plurality of columns from the first storage means And data from the second storage means based on the position information from the means and the position detecting means. Driving means for generating a ejection drive waveform of the ink-jet head with silicon, a method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus comprising,
A control method for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a changing step of changing the number of columns of data that can be stored in the second storage unit according to the number of heads of the plurality of ink jet heads. In an ink jet recording apparatus that makes it possible to replace recording heads having different numbers of nozzle rows composed of a plurality of nozzles, and scans a recording medium by scanning the mounted recording head.
First storage means for storing recording data;
Second storage means for storing the recording data read from the first storage means in column units;
Detecting means for detecting the type of the recording head;
Control means for changing the number of columns stored in the second storage means based on the detection result of the detection means;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

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