JP2006218624A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder which can use recording heads (small dot head and large dot head) of different head characteristics (particularly ejection amounts) by performing head exchange. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recorder which can exchange the recording head for the recording head of a different kind comprises a head conformity judging means which judges whether or not the kind of the recording head loaded in the apparatus conforms with the apparatus; a notifying means which notifies a user of the kind of the recording head if the kind of the head is judged as conforming by the conformity judging means; an indicating means which indicates at least the kind of a recording medium selected by the user to be used and a printing mode; a printing process information determining means which determines printing process information according to the kind of the recording medium indicated by the user, the printing mode and the detection result of a head kind detecting means; a printing control means which sets the determined printing process information to each internal unit and controls a printing sequence; an image processing means which carries out a process corresponding to the set printing process information; a head control means; and a transfer means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a recording head. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that replaces a recording head to be used.

  Ink jet recording apparatuses generally include serial type recording apparatuses and line type recording apparatuses.

  In a serial type recording apparatus, a recording head attached to a carriage so that a plurality of recording elements (nozzles) arranged in a direction parallel to a recording medium conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) is arranged is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. By scanning in the (main scanning direction) and driving the recording head according to the supplied image data, printing for one band is performed on the recording medium. When printing for one band is completed, the recording medium is printed by a predetermined amount. Then, a desired image is formed on the recording medium by repeating the operation of printing the next one band on the recording medium stopped after the conveyance (pitch conveyance).

  In a line type recording apparatus, a recording head is arranged so that a plurality of recording elements (nozzles) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction are arranged, and the recording head is arranged according to image data while conveying the recording medium. Printing is performed by driving, conveyance is stopped, and image printing is also terminated.

  A color image is printed by arranging such a recording head for each ink color and mounting it on a carriage. The recording head may be independent for each ink color, and a plurality of ink colors (for example, four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and six colors of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta) There is also a recording head in which these recording heads are integrated into one.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, there are a type A in which the recording head cannot be replaced and can be used up to the product life, and a type B in which the recording head can be replaced.

  In the type B ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording head can be replaced, there is a type B2 in which the recording head can be replaced with a different type recording head, and a type B1 in which the recording head can be replaced with the same type.

  In Type B1, which can be replaced with the same type of recording head, it is detected that the recording head has been replaced by a different head ID (provided for each recording head), and the change in print density due to the temperature change of the recording head is suppressed. Therefore, the discharge amount is controlled (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Type B2 that can be replaced with a different type of recording head includes a type that can be replaced with a black head and a color head. For example, a black head and a color head (including black ink) in which a plurality of colors are integrated are identified, and suction operation conditions are made different based on the information (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, a black head and a color head in which a plurality of colors are integrated are identified, and wiping conditions are made different based on the information (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  As for the discharge amount, it is described that the discharge amount of black ink of the color head (90 ng / dot) is different from the discharge amount of color ink (40 ng / dot). The black ink discharge amount (90 ng / dot) is the same (see Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 3, there is no description of the discharge amount. These do not have a large difference in ejection amount for the same ink color.

  A case where colorization is performed by replacing a monochrome head with a color head and vice versa are described.

  In addition, there are an ink jet recording apparatus that modulates the diameter of dots ejected from the recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus that uses a recording head having large and small dots, and these are intended to improve image quality.

  For example, a print head having a small discharge amount (hereinafter referred to as a small dot head) and a print head having a large discharge amount (hereinafter referred to as a large dot head), a scan for printing with large dots and a scan for printing with small dots. In this case, printing is completed by two scans. At this time, a small dot is landed in a circular dot where a large dot has landed on the recording medium, and the amount of ink of the landed dot itself is increased, thereby increasing the height of one dot. Densification is performed (for example, refer to Patent Document 4).

  In addition, a large dot head and a small dot head are installed, and the large head head is used together with the small dot head in one scan, and a uniform portion (region with a low spatial frequency) such as the background (background) is selectively selected with a large dot. The uniformity is improved by printing (see, for example, Patent Document 5). These are used by mounting both a large dot head and a small dot head.

  There is also an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by modulating the ejection amount from the same recording head. For example, two nozzles are provided in one nozzle, and the discharge amount is variable by a combination of two heater driving or the like (for example, see Patent Document 6). In some cases, the ejection amount is made variable by performing drive pulse width modulation (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

  As described above, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, there are various recording heads. However, one ink jet recording apparatus is not configured to be able to replace the recording head with a different discharge amount from the attached recording head. For example, these inkjet recording apparatuses do not assume that the small dot head is replaced with the large dot head, or vice versa.

  On the other hand, in recent years, since there is a direction in which a recording head has a smaller discharge amount to increase the density and increase the number of nozzles to increase the speed, the discharge amount of the ink jet recording apparatus tends to decrease.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-183170 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-058115 JP-A-11-170565 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-205417 JP-A-10-076660 JP-A-08-001962 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-020165

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, when switching from an old product using a large dot head to a new product using a small dot head, the following problems may occur.

  Problem 1) There are many cases where the color matching information and know-how in the old product cannot be used as they are in the new product, and there is a problem that it is necessary to reconstruct the color matching information according to the recording medium and the picture. . In particular, when the same image as the image printed with the old product is reprinted with the new product, this problem becomes significant when the same output as the color and texture of the previous old product is desired.

  Problem 2) Depending on the recording medium, it may be desirable to print with large dots.

  For example, in the case of a material such as cloth, although there is a need for color depth (whether there is no white portion or color is dark), there is a problem that the color does not appear when the print head is a small dot. This is because the small dot head does not have enough ink to adhere to the cloth. If a plurality of small dots are printed, the amount of ink adhering to the cloth increases, but there is a problem that a long printing time is required. It is also possible to increase the amount of ink adhering by scanning a small dot head multiple times, but the penetration of the previous dot deteriorates the permeation absorbability in the layer direction of the next dot, and the surface of the cloth However, since the ink does not adhere, the color depth may be insufficient.

  Problem 3) Depending on the purpose of use of the pattern and the output, the print resolution may not be required to be high, and there is a problem that printing time is slightly increased when printing with small dots. In particular, it may not be necessary to have a high resolution when the distance at which the output is viewed is quite large, when it is a flat pattern, when the number of colors is small, or when there are no subtle color gradations. However, even in this case, since the color density is necessary, thin dot thinning printing (one of the printing modes) cannot be used, and the printing time can be reduced by reducing the number of passes with small dots. Although there is a method, there may be a problem in terms of density unevenness and unevenness.

  There is also a problem from another viewpoint.

  Problem 4) In the ink jet recording apparatus, even if there is a mechanical mechanism (including electrical contacts and ink supply system contacts) that can replace the large dot head and the small dot head, the large dot head and the small dot head Since the characteristics are not always the same, there is a problem that normal printing cannot be performed. In particular, since the ejection amounts of the recording heads are different, the dot diameters formed on the recording medium are different, and the resolution of the image processing and the printing mode is inconsistent, so that normal printing cannot be performed. In addition, in an ink jet recording apparatus with a large dot head, the processing speed of image processing and print control may be less than the processing speed required for a small dot head, and normal printing cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to be able to use recording heads (small dot heads and large dot heads) having different head characteristics (particularly ejection amount) by exchanging the heads. It is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus that can be replaced with a different type of recording head, if the head conformity determination that determines whether or not the type of recording head installed in the apparatus is compatible with the apparatus and the conformity determination means determines conformity Notification means for informing the user of the type of the recording head, at least the type of the recording medium selected by the user, the instruction means for instructing the print mode, the type and print mode of the recording medium instructed by the user, and the head type determination means Print processing information determining means for determining print processing information according to the determination result, print control means for controlling the print sequence by setting the determined print processing information in each internal unit, and corresponding to the set print processing information An image processing unit that executes processing, a head control unit, and a conveyance unit are included.

  The head suitability determining means includes head information storage means for storing head information (recording head identifier, head characteristics, etc.) in the recording head, product information (usable head information (recording head identifier, etc.), Product information storage means for storing the head characteristics) and reading means for reading the head information from the head information storage means, and it is determined whether there is a place where the read head information matches the product information.

  The notification means notifies the head information read by the head suitability determination means.

  The instruction means changes the user selection menu according to the notified type of the recording head.

  The print processing information determining means includes print processing information storage means for storing a plurality of types of recording media, types of usable recording heads, and setting of each unit internal unit for the printing mode. Corresponding print processing information is found and determined from the print processing information storage means using the recording head type as a search key.

  The print processing information stored in the print information processing storage means includes at least one set of print processing information for a recording head used in another type of inkjet recording apparatus.

  The print processing information determination means has a print processing information storage means for storing one type of replaceable recording head (referred to as a reference head), the types of a plurality of recording media, and the setting of each internal unit for the print mode, When the corresponding print processing information is found from the print processing information storage means for the type of print medium, print mode, and search key, and the installed print head is the same as the reference head, the found print processing information is determined as print information. Obtains the print processing information of the mounted recording head from the print processing information of the reference head and the head characteristics of the mounted recording head.

  The user is notified of the print mode selection means for selecting a usable print mode from the read head information and product information storage means, and the usable print mode and the type of the print head.

  Different types of recording heads have different head characteristics (at least the ejection amount), and have an electrical connection portion, an ink supply connection portion, and a mechanical joint portion that are the same or in common.

  At least one of the different types of recording heads is a recording head capable of other types of ink jet recording apparatuses.

  The print processing information for the image processing means is at least an image processing conversion table and an output resolution.

  The print processing information for the head control means is at least a head voltage, a drive frequency, a block division number, and a block drive number.

  The print processing information for the conveyance control means is at least the moving speed of the recording head and the conveyance amount of the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus, recording heads (small dot head and large dot head) having different head characteristics (particularly ejection amount) can be used by exchanging the heads.

  When using a recording head (for example, a large dot head) of another type of ink jet recording apparatus (referred to as an old product), an appropriate print mode setting can be used. When reprinting with (new product), the same output as the color and texture of the old product can be produced.

  An image processing conversion table can also be used depending on the type of recording head mounted, and the previous image processing conversion table is used especially when the previous recording head (for example, a large dot head) is used. Yes, you can use color matching information and know-how of the old product.

  Since large dot heads and small dot heads can be exchanged on the same ink jet recording apparatus, the user can change the large dot heads and small dot heads according to the type of recording medium and the purpose of use. A printed matter can be obtained in a desired printing time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  The outer size, shape, electrical connection, and ink connection are the same in the large dot head and the small dot head. Alternatively, either one is the same as or includes the other size, shape, electrical connection, and ink connection.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus (CASE 1), which is a new product that uses a small dot head, a means for recognizing which head is mounted, such as a large dot head and a small dot head, and the difference in characteristics between the small dot head and the large dot head And a means for selectively controlling image processing, print mode, and head control based on the difference in characteristics, and enabling printing by exchanging the large dot head and the small dot head (CASE 2). .

  In the inkjet recording apparatus (CASE 3) which is an old product using a large dot head, a control unit of an old product is replaced with a control unit of a new product (a means for recognizing which head such as a large dot head and a small dot head is mounted, By replacing the small dot head with the means for recognizing the difference in characteristics between the large dot head and the means for selectively controlling image processing, print mode, and head control based on the difference in characteristics, the large dot The head and the small dot head are exchanged to enable printing (CASE 5, 6). At this time, the control unit of the new product has a function of downloading parameters and sequences for controlling the differences between the old product and the new product.

  In an ink jet printing apparatus that is an old product that uses large dots, the large dot head and small dot head are replaced to enable printing by rewriting the program and parameters of the control unit (CASE 7 and 8).

  A control unit having storage means for storing information indicating its identifier (or its characteristic) in the control unit and storage means for storing information indicating its identifier (or its characteristic) in the recording head The print mode is determined by identifying the type of print head and the control unit mounted from the instructed print mode and the head control unit, image processing unit, and sequence control unit based on the characteristics of the print head. By having a sequence control means for managing the print sequence, it is possible to perform printing even if the large dot head and the small dot head are replaced in a plurality of types of ink jet devices.

  In actual products, the recording head, control unit (control board), program, printer driver, main unit (recovery unit, supply unit, power supply unit, carriage unit, transport unit, exterior, etc.) to be used are uniquely determined. ing.

  1) The print head identifier matches the product information. The print mode is set using the print processing LUT.

  Specifically, the identifiers of a plurality of recording heads that can be used for printing are stored in the product information storage unit, the identifiers of the mounted recording heads are read, and the read identifiers are stored in the product information storage unit. Whether or not the recording head can be used is determined based on whether or not it is in the recording head identifier. If the recording head can be used, a print mode suitable for the recording head is searched from the print processing LUT storage unit using the recording head identifier as a key. A print mode that can be used is selected, the user designates the selected print mode, and according to the print mode designated by the user, the setting of the print mode in the print processing LUT storage unit is set in each unit to perform print management.

  2) The setting of the printing process in the printing mode designated by the user is obtained by calculation from the installed head information and product information, and the printing process is set.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Inkjet printer configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a personal computer (PC) that supplies image data and commands to be printed, and 2 denotes reception and reception of image data, commands, parameters, an image processing LUT (lookup table), etc. from the personal computer. This is an inkjet printer that prints image data in accordance with commands, parameters, and image processing LUTs.

  A personal computer has a keyboard and a display, and an interface with a user is realized by application software, a printer driver 3 (for inkjet 2), and dedicated printer control software (RIP or the like). The printer driver 3 includes image data to be printed, an image preprocessing unit 30 that performs brightness adjustment and color adjustment, a compression unit 31 that compresses image data processed by the image preprocessing unit 30, and a print mode and a recording medium. And an image processing LUT for transferring look-up table data (referred to as an image processing LUT) used for image processing in the printer 2 in accordance with the status of the printer 2 (specifically, the type of the recording head 11 mounted). A download unit 32 is included. The image processing LUT download unit 34 includes a printer identification unit 34 that recognizes what the connected printer 2 is and an image processing storage unit 33 that stores a plurality of image processing LUTs.

  The internal configuration of the inkjet printer 2 includes a control unit 4 for controlling the entire printer 2, a carriage unit 5 on which a recording head 11 is mounted, a carriage transport unit 6 that reciprocates the carriage unit 5 in the main scanning direction, and paper. The recording head 11 is moved by moving the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, the supply unit 8 for supplying ink to the recording head 11, the surface cleaning of the recording head 11, ink suction, ink droplet ejection, and the like. An operation panel unit having a recovery unit 9 for recovering to a good state, a power supply for the recording head 11, a power supply for the control unit 4 and a power supply unit 10 for supplying power to each unit, a key switch (not shown) and an LCD (not shown). 12 will be the main.

  In the present embodiment, detailed drawings and description of the mechanical mechanism are omitted, but the printer 2 is described as a serial printer.

  The carriage unit 5 has a mechanism that allows the recording head 11 to be removed and attached. The carriage unit 5 includes an electrical contact, a joint portion such as a tube that supplies ink, a member that supports and fixes the recording head 11, and the carriage transport unit 6. It has a connection (not shown), is supported by a rail (not shown) of the carriage transport unit 6 and connected to a motor (not shown) of the carriage transport unit 6 by a timing belt (not shown) of the carriage transport unit 6 Thus, the carriage unit reciprocates in the main scanning direction by the rotation of the motor. An encoder sensor (not shown) is mounted on the carriage unit 5, and a linear scale (not shown) for the encoder is stretched in the main scanning direction on the carriage transport unit 7, and the recording head 11 mounted on the carriage unit 5. The movement speed can also be controlled.

  The paper transport unit 7 also performs rotation control of a transport roller with a motor (not shown) and a rotary encoder (not shown) in order to move a recording medium such as paper in the sub-scanning direction.

  The supply unit 8 connects an ink tank unit (not shown) and a recording head 11 with an ink tube (not shown), supplies ink, and has a valve mechanism (not shown) in the middle of the ink tube. Ink replacement from the ink tube or the recording head is prevented by closing the valve when replacing the ink tank or the ink tank. A motor (not shown) and a photo interrupter (not shown), which is a position sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the valve, are used as a driving source for moving the valve mechanism.

  The recovery unit 9 includes a wiping mechanism (not shown) for wiping the surface of the recording head 11, a capping mechanism (not shown) for sealing the surface of the recording head with a member, and a suction pump mechanism for sucking ink from the nozzles of the recording head 11. (Not shown), a motor (not shown) for driving them, a drive transmission mechanism (not shown), and a position sensor (not shown) for detecting the state of each mechanical mechanism.

  The power supply unit 10 is turned on / off by an AC switch (not shown) or a soft switch (not shown) on the operation panel 12, and the control unit 4 is supplied with a voltage of 3.3V or 5V as a logic power supply. The power of 24V is supplied to the actuator (motor, etc.) of each unit via the I / O control unit & driver unit 26 in the control unit 4, and the head power to the recording head 11 is supplied to the control unit 4. Is supplied at a voltage value set via the head power supply control unit 53.

  The control unit 4 is functionally configured to have a sequence control unit 21 that manages the overall operation, a print mode selection unit 22 that selects a print mode, and an image processing unit that performs a conversion process from image data to print data. 23, a timing control unit 24 that adjusts the timing of print data in accordance with the operation of the printer 2, a head control unit 25 that controls drive data, drive pulses, drive voltage, and the like of the recording head 11, and sensors and actuators of internal units of the printer 2 It has an I / O control unit & driver unit 26 etc. for performing an interface with (motor etc.) and driving.

  The control unit 4 is physically an electrical board here, and in particular, the sequence control unit 21 is a CPU (not shown) such as a microprocessor, a flash ROM (not shown) that stores a control program for the CPU and various data. (Not shown), an EEPROM, a RAM (not shown) that is used as a work area for the CPU and stores various data, an I / F unit (not shown) that controls an interface with the host computer 1, and the like. The timing control unit 25 and the head control unit 25 are mainly configured by an ASIC (not shown) and a memory unit 63 for image data, and the print mode control unit 22 is configured by an EEPROM (not shown) and its I / F circuit. The I / O control unit & driver unit 26 is configured by an electric circuit such as a general-purpose LSI or a transistor.

  The recording head 11 includes a head information storage unit 27 (specifically, a memory such as an EEPROM) that stores various data of the recording head, and functions as a print mode selection unit 22 via the head control unit 25. Connected.

  The print mode selection unit 22 is provided with a product information storage unit 61 for storing product information of the printer 2 and a print processing LUT storage unit 62 for storing the printing processing LUT. The head information of the mounted recording head 11 is provided. Head information read from the storage unit 27 (specifically, a head ID that identifies the type of the recording head 11) and product information in the product information storage unit 61 (specifically, available recording heads) The print mode capable of printing is selected from the print processing LUT storage unit 62 based on the head ID).

  The inside of the image processing unit 23 receives the image data compressed by the compression unit 31 of the printer driver 3 from the personal computer, and corrects the image data from the decompression unit 41 based on the input γ characteristic of the personal computer. The image data (here, red: R, green: G, blue: B) from the input γ processing unit 42 and the input γ processing unit is used as the ink color of the printer (here, black: Bk, cyan: C, magenta: M, Yellow: Y, light cyan: PC, light magenta: PM), the color conversion processing unit 43 that converts the ink color image data based on the image processing LUT, and the ink color image data from the color conversion processing unit 43 is output to the printer γ An output γ processing unit 44 that converts based on characteristics, an output resolution conversion processing unit 45 that converts ink color image data from the output γ processing unit 44 to a specified resolution, and an output resolution conversion process Composed of binary processing unit 46 for converting ink color image data from the 45 (multi-value data) to the ink colors print data of two values.

  The timing control unit 24 includes an HV conversion unit that converts the order (raster direction order) of the ink color print data (binary) processed by the image processing unit 23 to the nozzle order (column direction order) of the recording head 11. 47. Memory control unit 48 that performs memory access control to the memory unit 63 that stores the print data converted in the column direction, and the read timing from the memory unit 63 via the memory control unit 48. It is configured by a registration adjustment unit 49 and the like that controls each print data of each ink color according to the direction and the like and adjusts so that printing of each ink color does not shift.

  The head control unit 25 converts each ink color print data (binary) from the timing control unit 24 into divided drive control unit 51 for converting the print data into drive data suitable for divided drive (described later) and I / F. , A heat pulse control unit 52 for generating and controlling the heat pulses of the recording head 11, a head power supply control unit 53 for controlling on / off of the head power supply and a voltage value, and the like. The split drive control unit 51 and the heat pulse control unit 52 perform each process in synchronization based on a timing signal (specifically, a column synchronization signal HT_TRG) from the timing control unit 24.

The recording head 11 receives the driving signal received by the internal logic circuit (specifically, the shift register and the latch circuit) in response to the timing signal (specifically, the touch signal LD and the data transfer clock SCLK) from the divided driving control unit 51. The data and the heat pulse signal from the heat pulse control unit 52 are logically summed with an OR circuit, and the heater in the nozzle is energized by a head power supply via a heater circuit (specifically, a transistor). Is bubbled to eject ink droplets.
[Recording head 11]
The outline of the outer shape of the recording head 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The recording head 11 is provided with mechanical support portions 71, 72, and 73 as mechanical connection portions in a state where the nozzle surface, which is an ink discharge port, faces downward (the lower left diagram in FIG. 2). The left and right sides (main scanning direction) are fixed by the mechanical support portions 71 and 72 by the joint portion (not shown) and supported downward, and the pressure is applied from the front side and the upper side by the mechanical support portion 73 to thereby apply the recording head. 11 is fixed in the carriage unit. An electrical contact 75 is provided as an electrical connection, and a signal and power are supplied by holding the contact with the pressure applied to the mechanical contact portion 73 on a spring connector (not shown) at the contact of the carriage unit 5. Do. By pressing an ink joint portion (not shown) in the carriage unit 5 from the front to the ink joint portion 74, the ink joint portion 74 is connected to the ink joint portion 74 so that ink can be supplied.

  The recording head 11 has a structure in which the nozzle rows of each ink are integrated. When the nozzle surface 76 is enlarged, black Bk, light cyan PC, cyan C, light magenta PM, magenta M, Yellow Y and each ink are arranged, and the nozzles of each ink color are arranged in the same structure. The nozzles of each ink color are arranged in a staggered pattern of 1280 nozzles, 640 even nozzles (0, 2,..., 1278) and 64 odd nozzles (1, 3,..., 1279). The even nozzles and odd nozzles are 1/600 inch apart, and the odd and even nozzles are 1/1200 inch apart. The interval between the even nozzle row and the odd nozzle row is 5/600 inch. The distance between the nozzle rows of each ink color is 82/600 inches (however, the difference between C and PM is wide).

  The configuration of the above recording head is the same for both large and small dot heads. To change the volume of ejected droplets, the size of the nozzle mouth, the structure of the nozzle, and the size and position of the heater section (not shown) in the nozzle Is changing.

  FIG. 3 shows the head characteristics of the large dot head and the small dot head.

  The large dot head and the small dot head have different characteristics and the same characteristics.

  First, as a different characteristic, the ejection amount of one dot is about 8 pl for a large dot head, about 4 pl for a small dot head, the main scanning resolution is 600 dpi for a large dot head, 1200 dpi for a small dot head, and the drive frequency is a large dot. The head is 15 kHz, the small dot head is 24 kHz, the division drive cycle is 2 μsec for the large dot head, 1.25 μsec for the small dot head, the head voltage is 18 V for the large dot head, 19 V for the small dot head, and the like. On the other hand, the same characteristics include 1280 nozzles, a head resolution 1 in the nozzle direction of 200 dpi, a discharge speed of 1 dot of about 14 msec, and a maximum number of divided drives of 24.

  Here, the head ID of the large dot head is referred to as A, and the head ID of the small dot head is referred to as B. These head characteristics are stored as head information in the head information storage unit 27 (at least the head ID is stored). For the storage method, the storage position (address) of the head information storage unit 27 is assigned to each head characteristic item (left column in FIG. 3), and the head characteristic is replaced with a digital numerical value or code. This can be dealt with by storing the data at the address. In the large dot head, the column is converted into data in the middle of FIG. 3, which is the head characteristic, and the column is converted into data on the right in FIG. 3, which is the head characteristic, and stored in the small dot head.

  Each head characteristic will be briefly described below.

  Differences in main scanning resolution between the large dot head and the small dot head will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a state where the large dot head has landed on the recording medium at a main scanning resolution of 600 dpi, and FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a state where the small dot head has landed on the recording medium at a main scanning resolution of 1200 dpi. It has become.

  In the large dot head, the ejection amount of one ink droplet is about 8 pl, so that the ink droplet landed on the recording medium forms a landing dot of about 50 μm in diameter, and the small dot head has an ejection amount of about 4 pl and the landing dot is The diameter is about 35 μm. Note that the diameter of the landing dot is slightly different depending on the type of the recording medium. In FIG. 4, the centers of the landing dots are arranged at an interval of about 42 μm corresponding to a 600 dpi pitch in the main scanning direction, and in FIG. 5, the centers of the landing dots are arranged at an interval of about 21 μm corresponding to a 1200 dpi pitch in the main scanning direction. 4 and 5, the landing dots are overlapped with a certain amount in the main scanning direction.

  On the other hand, the head resolution in the nozzle direction is common at 1200 dpi, and the landing dots overlap in the nozzle direction. As described above, by overlapping the landing dots, it is possible to print a high-density image so as not to be whitened when a dark image is printed.

  Here, the head resolution and the main scanning resolution are basic characteristics, and these resolutions are related to the printing resolution and the resolution of the image data, and the printing resolution may be varied in the printing mode.

  The print resolution is controlled by the output resolution conversion processing unit 45 of the image processing unit 23 in FIG.

  The reason why the driving frequency differs between the large dot head and the small dot head is that it takes time as the ejection amount increases, after ink is filled into the nozzle (so-called ink refill) after ejection. The drive frequency is related to the carriage conveyance speed (hereinafter abbreviated as the carriage speed). In the case of a large dot head, when the drive frequency is 15 kHz and the main scanning resolution is 600 dpi, the carriage speed of 15 kHz / 600 dpi = 25 inches / second is the lowest. It is necessary as much as possible. In a small dot head, a carriage speed of 24 kHz / 1200 dpi = 20 inches / second is required at a minimum when the main scanning resolution is 1200 dpi at a driving frequency of 24 kHz. These carriage speeds may vary depending on the print mode (particularly the number of multipass passes and print resolution).

  The carriage speed is controlled by the sequence control unit 21 in FIG. 1 by the carriage transport unit 6 via the I / O control unit & driver unit 26.

  Even in the large dot head and the small dot head, the number of nozzles is 1280 and there are as many as six colors, so when these nozzles are driven simultaneously, a large current is required, and the power supply and the power supply path increase in cost, Since there is a problem that the discharge characteristic becomes unstable due to the voltage drop, the 1280 nozzles are divided and driven in order to suppress instantaneous power consumption. The control of division driving is independent for each of the even-numbered nozzles 640 and the odd-numbered nozzles 640 for each ink color.

  An example of split driving will be described with reference to FIG.

  Assuming that 640 nozzles (referred to as nozzles 0 to 639 in this order) are driven in 24 divisions, division drive numbers 0 to 23 are assigned to nozzles 0 to 23, and similarly, division drive numbers 0 to 23 are assigned to nozzles 24 to 47. If the division drive numbers 0 to 23 are assigned in units of 24 nozzles, the division drive numbers 0 to 24 are assigned to 26 24 nozzle blocks, and the division drive numbers 0 to 15 are assigned to the remaining 16 nozzles (nozzles 624 to 639). Is allocated. In FIG. 6, an example in which a large dot head is driven at 15 kHz (approximately 66 μsec cycle) at a division drive cycle of 2 μsec, and a small dot head is divided at a drive cycle of 1.3 μsec, when divided drive numbers 0 to 23 are sequentially driven. Shows an example in which the drive is performed at 24 kHz (approximately 41 μsec cycle).

  In both examples, it is necessary that the divided drive within one column be within the processing time within one column. In a large dot head, one column processing time is about 66 μsec> divided driving time 48 μsec, and in a small dot head, one column processing time is about 41 μsec> divided driving time 30 μsec. The maximum division drive number 24, which is the head characteristic here, is determined by the configuration of the internal circuit of the recording head, and is realized by having the same internal circuit for the large dot head as for the small dot head.

  In the actual print mode, the number of divisions of 24 is divided by multipass instead of all in one scan.

  These division drive controls are performed by the division control unit 51 in the head control unit 25 of FIG.

  Next, the division drive cycle will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, both the large dot head and the small dot head will be described using double pulse (preheat, main heat) control.

  The large dot head has a preheat ON time of 0.3 μsec, an OFF time of 0.4 μsec, a main heat of 0.7 μsec and a heat control time of 1.4 μsec in one divided drive, and the next divided drive in a divided drive cycle of 2 μsec. There is an extra time of 0.6 μsec. Similarly, in the small dot head, the preheat ON time is 0.2 μsec, the OFF time is 0.2 μsec, the main heat is 0.6 μsec, the heat control time is 1 μsec, and the divided drive period is 1.3 μsec. The next divided drive has an extra time of 0.3 μsec. This extra time is used for, for example, heat pulse width modulation that suppresses changes in the ejection amount at the head temperature. Further, the pulse width here is an example, and this value also varies depending on the individual characteristics of the recording head even in the same type of recording head. The reason why the small dot head tends to have a shorter heat control time than the large dot head is that the injection energy can be discharged at least because the discharge amount is small.

  These heat pulses are generated by the heat pulse controller 52 in the head controller 25 of FIG.

[Product comparison and combination]
The comparison and combination of the new product and the old product will be described with reference to FIG.

  A conventional old product is a product type A (using a large dot head), and a new product that is the subject of the present invention is a product type B (using a small dot head). The internal structure of the new product (product type B) (the substrate that is the control unit 4, the program of the sequence control unit 21, each main body, the recording head 11, etc.) is made according to the new product. It is described as type B. Similarly, the internal configuration of the old product (product type A) (the substrate that is the control unit 4, the program of the sequence control unit 21, each main body, the recording head 11, etc.) is made in accordance with the old product. These are described as type A. The main body includes each unit of the printer 2 excluding the control unit 4 (operation panel unit 12, carriage transport unit 6, paper transport unit 7, ink supply unit 8, recovery unit 9, power supply unit 10, carriage unit 5) and The exterior. Further, the printer driver 3 adapted to the new product (product type B) is referred to as type B, and the printer driver adapted to the old product (product type A) is referred to as A.

  Basically, the new product of CASE 1 (product type B) and the old product of CASE 3 (product type A) are the CASE 2 when the large dot head A is mounted on the new product of CASE 1 (product type B). Realization is the main point of the present invention.

  The case where the small dot head B is mounted on the old product (product type A) of CASE3 is CASE4. This is a problem of the conventional example, and normal printing cannot be realized.

  CASE 5 replaces the substrate, which is the control unit 4, with the substrate type B, leaving the main body A of the old product (product type A), and the program is also type B ′ (a program in which parameters etc. are slightly changed from type B). The printer driver 3 is also changed to type B, and a large dot head A is placed on it. The appearance is similar to product type A, but the processing capability is close to that of product type B. Yes, here referred to as product type A1, which can be realized. Accordingly, CASE 6 in which the small dot head B is mounted with the product type A1 can also be realized. The product type A1 corresponds to a running change in a factory, and a product with high ability can be provided by exchanging a part of the product type A unit. If you don't have enough units to replace, you can consider replacing them in the market.

  In CASE7, the program of the old product (product type A) is changed to type C (type A incorporating the design concept of type B), and the printer driver 3 is also changed to type B. Although it is almost the same as the product type A in terms of capability, it differs from the product type A in that the small dot head B can be mounted on the CASE 8 and is referred to as a product type A2 here, which can also be realized. The product type A2 corresponds to a case where the version of the product type A is changed in the market.

  CASE 9 and CASE 10 are new products (product type B), the board is changed to board type A, the program is also changed to type C '(parameters etc. are slightly changed from type C), large dot head A, Each is equipped with a small dot head B. The appearance is the product type B, but the capacity is almost the same as that of the product type A2, and is referred to as the product type B1. Product type B1 corresponds to the case of design change.

The above product types B, A1, A2, and B1 are common in that the large dot head A and the small dot head B can be exchanged.
[Product Info]
Product, main body (each unit and exterior), substrate (control unit 4), program (software for controlling the sequence control unit 21 in the control unit 4), printer driver 3, recording head, which are the configuration items described in FIG. 11 is product information, and the type is coded (ID) and stored in the product information storage unit 61.

In addition to the above, the product information includes substrate information, main body information, management parameters for each unit, and the like as sub information. For example, the board information is the hardware information of the board as the control unit 4 such as the maximum memory amount of the memory unit 63 and the actually mounted memory amount, the image processing speed, the memory access speed, and the like. The main body information describes each unit and the type of exterior, and is used for mechanical version management and electrical version management. The management parameter of each unit is information related to the control method, and is mainly related to the correspondence in the program (software).
[Sequence explanation]
The outline of the print sequence in the block diagram of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  9 to 12 are flowcharts showing a printing sequence of the printer 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a main flowchart of the print sequence, FIG. 10 is a flowchart for determining the suitability of the mounted head, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for selecting a usable print mode, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart for setting the print mode.

  First, the power supply of the printer 2 is turned on by the soft switch of the operation panel unit 12 or the AC switch of the power supply unit 10, the control unit 4 starts up, and each unit is initialized by an instruction from the sequence control unit 21 in the control unit 4. Processing is performed (STEP 1). Although description of specific initialization processing is omitted, there are initialization of the internal state and preparation for a printable state, enabling communication with a personal computer, recording head recovery processing, and the like. Subsequently, it is determined whether the mounted recording head 11 is compatible with the printer 2 (STEP 2). Specifically, in this head suitability determination, in FIG. 10, the head information (at least the head ID) is read from the head storage information unit 27 of the mounted recording head 11 and stored (STEP 31), and from the product information storage unit 61. The head IDs of the usable recording heads 11 are acquired (STEP 32), and it is determined whether there is a head ID of the mounted recording head 11 and the head ID of the usable recording head 11 (STEP 33). If there is a match, it is determined that the mounted recording head 11 can be used (STEP 34), and the control parameter (specifically, drive) is sent to the head controller 25 based on the head information of the corresponding recording head 11. Pulse, drive cycle, drive voltage, etc.) are set (STEP 35).

  If there is no match in STEP 33, it is determined that the mounted recording head 11 cannot be used (STEP 36), and a message is sent to the operation panel 12 and the personal computer 1 to prompt the user to replace the recording head 11. The user confirms the intention to replace the head (STEP 37). If the head is not replaced, the process is terminated as being impossible to print. If the head is replaced, the head replacement sequence (description is omitted) is entered (STEP 38). When the replacement is completed, the process proceeds to STEP 31, and similarly, the conformity determination of the mounted recording head is performed.

  On the other hand, on the personal computer 1 side, the printer driver 3 is started from an application, etc., the printer driver 3 performs initialization processing (STEP 21), issues a connection request with the printer 2 (STEP 22), and the printer 2 side waits for a connection request. When a connection request is received from (STEP 3), printer information (specifically, printer type, printer status, etc.) is notified to the printer driver 3 (STEP 4), and usable print modes are determined, and the determination is made. The result is notified to the printer driver 3 together with the type of the recording head 11 mounted (STEP 5).

  Specifically, the print mode determination is performed in FIG. 11 by using the type of the recording head 11 mounted and used from the head information (at least the head ID) stored in STEP 31 (here, the name of the type is not limited, but for example, (Names indicating head characteristics such as small dot heads and large dot heads, product symbols of recording heads, etc. are considered) (STEP 41), and prints usable from the print processing LUT storage unit 62 using the head ID as a search key The mode is searched (STEP 42), and the usable print mode and the type of the used recording head 11 as the search result are notified to the printer driver 3 (STEP 43). The print mode and print processing LUT storage unit 62 will be described later.

  On the other hand, the printer driver 3 displays the type and status of the printer on the user I / F menu or the like (STEP 23), and receives and displays the type of the recording head 11 to be used and the usable print mode (STEP 24). The user makes settings and selections for the printer 2 via the user I / F menu in the printer driver 3 (STEP 25). Specifically, user settings such as selection of a recording medium, selection of a print mode, setting of a print format (input image size, print width, print length, number of copies, etc.), selection of an image LUT, and the like are performed. At this time, the recording medium is selected from those that can be used depending on the type of the printer and the type of the mounted recording head 11, and the print mode is a mode that can be used somewhat depending on the type of the mounted recording head 11 and the selected recording medium. The selection of the image LUT is automatically selected according to the type of the printer, the type of the mounted recording head 11, the selected recording medium, and the selected printing mode. Specifically, the printer identification unit 34 adapts from the image processing LUT storage unit 33 using the type of the printer 2 and the type of the mounted recording head 11, the selected recording medium, and the selected print mode as search keys. An image processing LUT is selected.

  If the user settings are good, the user starts printing to transmit the contents of the user settings (recording medium type, print mode, image LUT, print format, etc.), and the printer 2 has the contents of the user settings (recording medium) (Type, print mode, image LUT, print format, etc.) are received (STEP 6), and each unit is set according to the contents of the user setting (STEP 7).

  Next, the printer driver 3 performs brightness adjustment, color adjustment, and the like on the image data to be printed by the image preprocessing unit 30, and compresses the image data to an input resolution (details will be described later) according to the print mode by the compression unit 31. The printer 2 receives the image data (STEP 8), the image processing unit 23 processes the image data (STEP 9), the timing adjustment unit 24 generates the print data, and the head control. Printing is performed by the head control of the unit 25 (STEP 10), the printer driver 3 performs transmission before transmission of all image data is completed (STEP 28), and the printer 2 repeats the above STEPs 8 to 11 until all printing is completed. When all printing is completed, the completion of printing is notified (STEP 12), and the printer driver 3 receives the printing completion (STEP 29). The process is terminated.

  The specific setting of each unit in the print mode and the operation based on the setting will be described later using FIG. 12 and a detailed example of the print mode (FIG. 13).

The communication protocol and communication unit between the printer driver 3 and the printer 2 are not described, but there are confirmation of transmission and reception, error processing, and the like, and the sequence control unit 21 and the printer driver 3 communicate with each other.
[Print mode]
FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a product type B print mode, and FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a product type A print mode.

  First, FIG. 14 shows a case where the product type A supports only a large dot head (CASE 3), and the print mode has three modes of “fast” mode, “standard” mode, and “clean” mode. An example will be described. Since the print mode may be changed depending on the type of the recording medium, here, in order to simplify the description, the print mode is set for a certain recording medium. However, the maximum number of print modes can be limited to a certain range even if the type of recording medium changes.

  There are print mode setting items corresponding to each print mode. In both FIGS. 13 and 14, the set items include the number of passes, input resolution, carriage speed, one column processing time, number of block divisions, number of block drives, and color. List of processing tables.

  The number of passes is the number of passes in multi-pass printing. N-pass printing is multi-pass printing in which an image of one band (a width corresponding to the nozzle of the recording head 11) is formed by N scans. Since there are various types of multi-pass printing, the printing method is not limited. Here, while the recording head 11 is scanned by the carriage transport unit 6, the print data for one band is thinned with mask data to print 1 / N. Then, the paper transport unit 7 moves 1 / N of the distance corresponding to the effective nozzles (1280 nozzles in this case) of the recording head 11 of the recording medium, and print data for one band shifted by 1 / N in the next scan. 1 / N is printed with the mask data, and similarly, 1-N paper conveyance and 1 / N thinning-out printing are repeated to print one band in N scans. Note that the upper end and the lower end are masked at the leading end of the print (upper page) and the rear end of the print (below the page) to prevent printing of a half-end multi-scan image.

  In FIG. 14, “fast” mode is assigned to 2-pass printing with high printing throughput, “standard” mode is assigned to 4-pass printing with good image quality, and “clean” mode is assigned to 8-pass printing with better image quality. Thus, the image quality is increased in order while the printing throughput is decreased.

  The input resolution is a horizontal resolution and a vertical resolution of image data sent from the personal computer 1. In FIG. 14, “fast” mode is assigned 150 dpi × 150 dpi, “standard” mode 300 dpi × 300 dpi, “clean” mode 600 dpi × 600 dpi, and so on, so that the input resolution becomes higher in order.

  The output resolution is the resolution of the image data to be printed by the printer 2 (horizontal resolution and vertical resolution), and is the resolution of the image data after the output resolution conversion processing unit 46. In FIG. 14, the “fast” mode is assigned to 600 dpi × 1200 dpi, the “standard” mode is assigned to 600 dpi × 1200 dpi, and the “clean” mode is assigned to 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi so that the output resolution becomes higher in order.

  However, the output resolution 600 dpi × 1200 dpi in the “fast” mode is a draft print with a slightly low print density because thinning equivalent to 300 dpi is performed in the main scanning direction.

  The carriage speed is a moving speed of the carriage unit 5 (that is, the recording head 11) in the main scanning direction. In FIG. 14, “fast” mode and “standard” mode are assigned to 50 inch / sec, and “clean” mode is assigned to 15 inch / sec.

  The processing time for one column is the reciprocal of the product of the carriage speed and the resolution in the main scanning direction, and is a cycle of one column (cycle of HT_TRG). In FIG. 14, it is about 33.3 μsec in all modes (“fast” mode, “standard” mode, “clean” mode).

  The number of block divisions is a number determined by how many division driving cycles are included in the processing time of one column, and the block drive number is a number representing how many blocks are printed out of the number of block divisions. In FIG. 14, the number of block divisions is 16 in all print modes, and the number of block drives is 12 in all modes.

  The item of color processing represents the file name of the image processing LUT. In FIG. 14, LUT_S_A is set in the “fast” mode, LUT_N_A is set in the “standard” mode, and LUT_Q_A is set in the “clean” mode.

  In FIG. 14, for the sake of convenience, head: large dot head and head ID: A are described. However, since product type A is an old product, such description is not originally provided.

  On the other hand, the product type B is a product suitable for a small dot head, and the large dot head of the product type A also supports the print mode of the product type A. Therefore, the product type B printing mode of FIG. 13 includes the printing mode of the product type A large dot head and the small dot head printing mode shown in FIG. Furthermore, it is possible to add a new printing mode for a large dot head.

  Both the small dot head and the large dot head have three types of print modes such as “fast”, “standard”, and “fast”, and the print mode instruction from the printer driver 3 is performed in the same way. Since the contents of the setting items are the same and different for the small dot head and the large dot head, the actual printing is different.

  First, print mode setting items having the same contents include the number of passes, the input resolution, the number of block divisions, and the number of block drives.

  Print mode setting items with different contents include output resolution, carriage speed, processing time for one column, and color processing. The output resolution is 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi for the “fast” mode and “standard” mode for the small dot head, 2400 dpi × 1200 dpi for the “clean” mode, and 600 dpi for the “fast” mode and the “standard” mode for the large dot head. 1200 dpi and 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi in the “clean” mode. The difference in output resolution is due to the fact that the main scanning resolution and the head resolution among the head characteristics shown in FIG. 3 are different between the large dot head and the small dot head.

  For the small dot head, the “fast” mode and the “standard” mode are assigned to 40 itch / sec, and the “clean” mode is assigned to 20 inch / sec. For the large dot head, the “fast” mode and the “standard” mode are set to 50 inch. / Sec, “clean” mode is assigned to 25 inches / sec. The difference in carriage speed is attributed to the fact that the drive frequency and main scanning resolution among the head characteristics are different between the large dot head and the small dot head.

  The processing time for one column is the reciprocal of the product of the carriage speed and the resolution in the main scanning direction. In the small dot, the “fast” mode, the “standard” mode, and the “clean” mode are about 20.8 μsec, and in the large dot In the “fast” mode, the “standard” mode, and the “clean” mode, the time is approximately 33.3 μsec. Since the carriage speed and the resolution in the main scanning direction are different between the large dot head and the small dot head, the processing time for one column is also different.

  The file name of the image processing LUT for color processing is the same for the same print mode, but the appearance of the landing dots is different between the large dot head and the small dot, so the file name is also changed because the image processing LUT has different characteristics. In the small dot head, LUT_S_B is set, LUT_N_B is set in the “standard” mode, and LUT_Q_B is set in the “clean” mode. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing how the large dot head and the small dot head land in the “standard” mode, and FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the large dot head and the small dot in the “fast” mode. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are diagrams showing how the large dot head and the small dot head land in the “clean” mode. FIG. 17 and FIG. Since the collection of dots is different, the image processing LUT can be expected to be different in each case.

  In FIG. 13, the print mode and the contents of the print mode setting items are described for each head ID of the large dot head and the small dot head. These pieces of information in FIG. 13 are encoded in the print processing LUT storage unit 62 and stored in association with the head ID and the print mode. Specifically, it is possible to perform the address management of the print processing LUT storage unit 62 by determining which information is stored in which position.

In addition, a new print mode has been added for large dot heads. This is based on the product information (particularly substrate information) and the processing capability (image processing speed, memory access) of the product type B substrate (substrate type B). In the fast (high density) mode, two passes can be printed at a high density without draft printing. In the clean (high speed) mode, the carriage speed is 50 inches / sec, the number of block divisions is 8, and the block is high. The speed is increased by setting the driving number to 6.
[Set print mode and operation of each part]
Such a print mode setting will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the print processing LUT for each recording medium as shown in FIG. 13 is called from the print processing LUT storage unit 62 and loaded from the called print processing LUT, according to the type of recording medium (STEP 8) transmitted from the printer driver 3. Using the head ID (stored in STEP 31) and the print mode (STEP 8) transmitted from the printer driver 3 as keys, the print mode setting contents are searched (STEP 51).

  The set contents of the found print mode are set for each unit in the following steps.

  First, the input resolution is set for the decompression unit 41 in the image processing unit 23 (STEP 52). The decompressing unit 41 decompresses image data from the compressing unit 31 with the input resolution and the print format (input image size).

  Next, the respective magnifications in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are obtained from the output resolution and the input resolution, and the obtained magnification is set in the output resolution conversion unit 45 (STEP 53). For example, in the print processing LUT of FIG. 13, in the “standard” mode with a small dot head, the output resolution is 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi with respect to the input resolution of 300 dpi × 300 dpi, so the magnification is 4 times in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The output resolution conversion unit 45 converts the multi-value image data of the ink color output from the output γ processing unit 44 into four times the number of images in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, thereby converting the resolution. It is carried out.

  Next, a parameter (in the sequence control unit 21) for controlling the rotational speed of a motor (not shown) that is a power source of the carriage transport unit 6 is obtained from the set value of the carriage speed (STEP 54). Specifically, since the carriage unit is driven at a substantially trapezoidal speed such as acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration, the speed corresponding to the upper base of the trapezoid corresponds to the carriage speed. It can be done with the setting.

  Next, the conveyance amount of the paper conveyance unit 7 is set from the number of passes of multi-pass printing (STEP 55).

  Specifically, the rotation amount of a motor (not shown) that is a power source of the paper transport unit 7 is set. In two passes, the sheet is conveyed by a distance corresponding to half of the effective nozzles 1280 of the recording head 11.

  Next, mask data is set from the number of passes (STEP 56). Mask data corresponding to the number of passes is stored in the sequence control unit 21, necessary mask data is read out based on the number of passes, stored in the memory unit 63 in the print timing control unit 24, and image data from the memory unit 63. And mask data from the image data unit 48 and mask processing is performed by performing processing such as logical product.

  Next, the block division number and the block drive number are set in the division drive control unit 51 (STEP 57). The division drive control unit 51 divides the processing time of one column by the number of block divisions, and determines the number of division drives by the block drive number. In the “standard” mode with small head dots, the number of block divisions is 16 and the number of block drivings is 12, so that about 20.8 μsec is divided into 16 to be about 1.3 μsec, and a block cycle for generating a heat signal as shown in FIG. This corresponds to 1.3 μsec. By driving the first twelve of the number of divisions 16, division driving is performed in a time corresponding to half of 31.2 μsec in FIG. 6 (15.6 μsec), which is shorter than 20.8 μsec per column process. It has become.

  The image processing LUT sent from the printer driver 3 is stored in an internal table of the image processing unit 23. Each conversion process of the image processing unit 23 is performed using the stored image processing LUT.

The image processing LUT has a plurality of table data. Specifically, the input γ processing unit 42 is supplied with an input γ correction LUT, performs input γ processing of RGB image data, and the color conversion processing unit 43 is supplied with a color color matching LUT, and receives RGB image data. Is converted into ink color data (K, C, M, Y, PC, PM) of the printer 2, and an output γ correction LUT is supplied to the output γ processing unit 44, and ink color data (K, C, M, Y) is supplied. , PC, PM).
[Example of a method for downloading an image processing LUT using a printer with a built-in hard disk]
In the above embodiment, the printer driver 3 has the image processing LUT storage unit 33 and the printer identification unit 34. However, the printer 2 is provided with a storage medium such as a hard disk and allocated to the image processing LUT storage unit 33. The function of the printer identification unit 34 is performed by the sequence control unit 21 so that the type of the printer 2 and the type of the mounted recording head 11, the recording medium selected by the user, and the printing mode selected by the user are used as search keys. It is also possible to select a suitable image processing LUT from the processing LUT storage unit 33. At this time, it is not necessary to download the image processing LUT from the personal computer.
[Example in which printer driver has part of print processing LUT]
In FIG. 13, the print processing LUT is stored in the print processing LUT storage unit 62 of the printer 2. It can also be realized by managing with the printer driver 2 and transmitting the print mode to the printer 2 as parameters. Specifically, input resolution, color processing (file name of image processing LUT), and the like.
[Examples that do not require notification of available print modes to the printer driver]
In the above embodiment, after determining the suitability of the recording head 11, a usable print mode is selected and notified to the printer driver 3 (STEP 5 in FIG. 9), and the usable print mode is displayed by the printer driver 3. (STEP 24 in FIG. 9) is not limited to this.

  As another embodiment, print mode options (selectable from a menu or the like) that can be instructed from the printer driver 3 can be handled as the same for the large dot head and the small dot head. This corresponds to the case where there is no “fast (high density)” mode or “clean (high speed)” mode of the large dot head in FIG. The printer driver 3 selects the print medium and the print mode (select from “fast”, “standard”, and “clean”) in the same manner as in STEP 25 in FIG. The printer 2 transmits the mode, and retrieves the corresponding print processing LUT from the print processing LUT storage unit 62 from the received recording medium, the print mode, and the head ID stored in STEP 31 of FIG. 10, and sets it in each unit. But it can be realized.

The notification of the type of the mounted recording head 11 is necessary when the image processing LUT is transmitted from the printer driver 3, but a storage medium such as a hard disk is provided in the printer 2 and the image processing LUT storage unit 33 is provided. This is unnecessary when the image processing LUT is downloaded by assigning and performing the function of the printer identification unit 34 by the sequence control unit 21. However, also in this case, in order to search the image processing LUT, the sequence control unit 21 uses the type of the mounted recording head 11.
[Another Example of How to Store the Print Processing LUT Storage Unit 62]
In the above embodiment, the print processing LUT is stored in the print processing storage unit 62 for each type of recording medium, and each print processing LUT describes setting contents, numerical values, and the like for print mode setting items. As the number of types of recording media increases, the print processing LUT for each recording medium naturally increases. On the other hand, since combinations of print mode setting items that can be printed by the printer 2 are limited to some extent, numbers and symbols are assigned to the combinations of these settings, and print processing LUTs corresponding to the numbers and symbols are provided. In the print processing LUT stored for each recording medium, the number of information can be reduced by writing the numbers and symbols for each type of recording head 11 and each printing mode.
[Substrate Replacement] Another embodiment in which the old product A is improved to be equivalent to the new product B.

  The product type A1 corresponding to CASE5 and CASE6 in the product comparison and combination described in FIG. 8 will be described again.

  For product type A1, the main unit A of the old product (product type A) is left, the board that is the control unit 4 is replaced with the board type B, and the program is also type B ′ (parameters etc. are slightly changed from type B) The product information information storage unit 61 of the board (type B) that is the exchanged control unit 4 corresponds to items such as CASE, main body, board, program, driver, and head as product information. Information (type) and board information (type B information (maximum memory amount, installed memory amount, image processing speed, memory access speed, etc.)), main body information (main body type A information), management parameters (type of main body information indicated) Stuff).

  If the board type A has the product information storage unit 61 having the same structure as the board type B, the information on the board type A is received from the product information storage unit 61 when the board type A is replaced with the board type B. This can be realized by writing the information on the board type B into the product information storage unit 61 of the board type B after sucking it up on the personal computer side and replacing the board type B with the board information. If the board type A does not have the product information storage unit 61 having the same structure as the board type B, the product information of the product type B can be realized by creating product information of the product type A and writing it as new product information. .

  The print processing LUT storage unit 62 can be realized by writing the product type print processing LUT group of FIG.

  The program can also be realized by writing type B ′, which is slightly changed from type B, into a flash ROM (not shown) in the sequence control unit 21.

Since both A and B are described in the type of the recording head, as with the product type B, it is possible to determine the compatible head and select or set the print mode.
[Loading of Program] Example of Product with Improved Capability of Old Product A and Lower Capability than New Product B Product type A2 corresponding to CASE7 and CASE8 in the comparison and combination of products described in FIG.

  In the product type A2, the program of the old product (product type A) is changed to type C (type A incorporating the design concept of type B), and the printer driver 3 is also changed to type B.

  If the substrate type A has the product information storage unit 61 having the same structure as the substrate type B, it can be dealt with by changing the product information program C ′ and the heads A and B. When there is no product information storage unit 61 having the same structure as the product information, the area is secured in a substrate type A storage unit (memory, EEPROM, etc.), and product information corresponding to product type A of product information is created. It is necessary to write program C, heads A and B, and changed product information.

  Also, the print processing LUT is processed in the same manner as the product information depending on whether the print processing LUT storage unit 62 has the same structure or not.

  The program (type C) is a program (type B) in which the correction in consideration of the storage location of the product information and the print processing LUT and the correction reflecting the difference in parameters of each unit are performed in the sequence control unit 21. Write to flash ROM (not shown).

  The product type B2 corresponding to CASE9 and CASE10 in the comparison and combination of products described in FIG. 8 will be described again.

  Regarding the storage of product information and the printing process LUT, when processing similar to that of product type A2, the product information corresponding to product type A is changed from the product information corresponding to product type A to the information of device B, and the program C ′ heads A and B and the changed product information are stored, and the unit management parameters store the information according to the main body information.

  The program (type C ′) is a program (type C) that has been modified to reflect the difference in parameters of each unit and is written in a flash ROM (not shown) in the sequence control unit 21.

The above product types A2 and B2 are cases where the print mode can be set in the same manner for each unit on the board (board type A), but not all can be made in the same way as the board (board type B). Realized as long as the unit can be set.
[Another Example: Obtaining Print Processing LUT from Installed Head Information and Product Information]
In the above embodiment, the setting contents and numerical values for the print mode setting items are described in the print processing LUT storage unit 62, but this is not restrictive.

  For example, product type B is a case where a small dot head (type B) is used and a large dot head is extended to it, but the print mode is set only for the small dot head (type B). When the large dot head is stored in the unit 62, a difference in head characteristics between the large dot head and the small dot head is detected, and the printing of the large dot head is performed from the small dot head printing process LUT. The processing LUT can also be estimated and obtained.

  In particular, the output resolution, carriage speed, and processing time for one column can be estimated by the following method. However, it is necessary to describe the minimum head characteristics (main scanning resolution, drive frequency) in each head information of the small dot head and the large dot head.

  The estimation formula is as follows.

Output resolution in the main scanning direction (large dot head) = Output resolution in the main scanning direction (small dot head) × Main scanning resolution (large dot head) / Main scanning resolution (small dot head)
Carriage speed (large dot head) = carriage speed (small dot head) × driving frequency (large dot head) / driving frequency (small dot head) × output resolution in main scanning direction (small dot head / output resolution in main scanning direction ( Large dot head)
Processing time for one column (large dot head) = carriage speed (large dot head) x output resolution in main scanning direction (large dot head)
Specifically, if we put the values of Fig. 3 and Fig. 13 in "clean" mode,
Output resolution in the main scanning direction (large dot head) = 2400 dpi × 600 dpi / 1200 dpi = 1200 dpi
Thus, the output resolution in the main scanning direction of the large dot head in FIG.

Carriage speed (large dot head) = 20 inch / sec × 15 kHz / 24 kHz × 2400 dpi / 1200 dpi = 25 inch / sec
Thus, it matches the carriage speed of the large dot head in FIG.

Processing time for one column (large dot head) = 1 / (25 inch / sec × 1200 dpi) = 33.3 μsec
Thus, the processing time of one column of the large dot head in FIG.

  However, since it is difficult to accurately estimate the image processing LUT, which is a color processing item, the image processing LUT is selected depending on whether a large dot head or a small dot head is mounted as described in the above embodiments. The file name must be selected by the user or stored in the print processing LUT.

Similarly, for the product type A1, when a large dot head is mounted as a standard and replaced with a small dot head, the print mode is obtained by the same estimation as described above.
[Substrate processing speed and memory amount] This affects the carriage speed and print resolution.

  However, in the product types A2 and B1, when the capacity of the substrate (substrate type A) is lower than that of the substrate type B or the amount of memory is insufficient, the carriage speed and output resolution must be limited in a small dot head. .

  Therefore, it is also possible to obtain the limiting value by describing information serving as the index in the board information.

1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the mechanical structure of the recording head of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure showing an example of head characteristics of a recording head used for an ink jet recording device concerning the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a landing state of a large dot head in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how a small dot head is landed in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the division drive in the inkjet recording measure which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the division | segmentation drive period in the inkjet recording procedure which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the combination of the product in the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement sequence of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention, and is a flowchart explaining especially the sequence which determines the compatibility of a mounting head. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement sequence of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention, and is a flowchart explaining especially the sequence which selects printing mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement sequence of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention, and is a flowchart explaining especially the setting sequence of printing mode. It is the figure which showed the example of the description of the printing mode in order to demonstrate the printing mode of the product type B which is the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the description of the printing mode in order to demonstrate the printing mode of the conventional product (product type A). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of landing of a large dot head in two-pass printing (draft) in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a landing state of a small dot head in two-pass printing (draft) in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed the mode of the landing of the large dot head in 8-pass printing in the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a landing state of a small dot head in 8-pass printing in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 PC 2 Inkjet printer 3 Printer driver 4 Control unit 5 Carriage unit 6 Carriage conveyance unit 7 Paper conveyance unit 8 Ink supply unit 9 Recovery unit 10 Power supply unit 11 Recording head 21 Sequence control unit 22 Print mode selection unit 23 Image processing unit 24 Timing control unit 25 Head control unit 27 Head information storage unit 32 Image processing LUT download unit 33 Image processing LUT
34 Printer Identification Unit 43 Color Conversion Processing Unit 44 Output γ Processing Unit 45 Output Resolution Conversion Processing Unit 51 Division Drive Control Unit 52 Heat Pulse Control Unit 53 Head Power Supply Control Unit 61 Product Information Storage Unit 62 Print Processing LUT

Claims (13)

In an inkjet recording apparatus that can be replaced with a different type of recording head,
A head suitability determination that determines whether or not the type of the recording head installed in the apparatus is compatible with the apparatus, a notification means that informs the user of the type of the recording head if the compatibility determination means determines that the recording head is suitable, and a user Print processing for determining print processing information according to at least the type of recording medium to be used, the instruction means for instructing the print mode, the type and print mode of the recording medium instructed by the user, and the determination result of the head type determination means Information determining means, printing control means for setting the determined printing processing information in each internal unit and controlling the printing sequence, image processing means for executing processing corresponding to the set printing processing information, head control means, and conveyance And an ink jet recording apparatus.   The head suitability determination means includes head information storage means for storing head information (recording head identifier, head characteristics, etc.) in the recording head, and product information (usable head information (recording head identifier, etc.)) in the apparatus. And product information storage means for storing the head information) and reading means for reading the head information from the head information storage means, and determining whether there is a location where the read head information matches the product information; The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the head information read by the head suitability determination unit.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit changes a user selection menu according to the notified type of the recording head.   The print processing information determining means includes print processing information storage means for storing a plurality of types of recording media, types of usable recording heads, and printing processing information of each unit internal unit with respect to a printing mode. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing information is found and determined from the print processing information storage means using the print mode and the print head type as a search key.   6. The print processing information stored in the print information processing storage means includes at least one set of print processing information for a recording head used in another type of ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus described.   The print processing information determining means has one type of replaceable recording head (referred to as a reference head), a type of a plurality of recording media, and print processing information storage means for storing the setting of each unit internal unit for the print mode. , Find the corresponding print processing information from the print processing information storage means for the type of recording medium, the print mode and the search key, and if the installed recording head is the same as the reference head, the found print processing information is determined as the print information and is different 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing information of the mounted recording head is obtained from the print processing information of the reference head and the head characteristics of the mounted recording head.   3. A print mode selection means for selecting a usable print mode from the head information and product information storage means read out in claim 2, and a user is notified of the usable print mode and the type of recording head. The inkjet recording apparatus in any one of 1-4.   The different types of recording heads have different head characteristics (at least the ejection amount), and have an electrical connection portion, an ink supply connection portion, and a mechanical joint portion that have the same or common structure. The inkjet recording apparatus in any one of 1-8.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the different types of recording heads is a recording head that can be another type of inkjet recording apparatus.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing information for the image processing means is at least an image processing conversion table and an output resolution.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing information for the head control means is at least a head voltage, a drive frequency, a block division number, and a block drive number.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing information for the transport control means is at least a moving speed of the recording head and a transport amount of the recording medium.

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