JP2009292102A - Recording device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device and a recording method which is constituted so as to select a dot arrangement pattern with due regard to scanning direction of a recording head and develop a multi-valued data into binary data by using the dot arrangement pattern. <P>SOLUTION: The recording device of recording the inputted multi-valued data according to gradation representation controls the recording in both scanning directions according to reciprocating scanning of a recording head configured with a plurality of nozzle arrays, selects any dot arrangement pattern in the order predetermined according to the scanning direction of the recording head from among a plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in the multi-valued data of the same gradation level and develops the multi-valued data into the binary data by using the selected dot arrangement pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a method for developing multi-value data into binary data using a dot arrangement pattern.

  In recent years, recording apparatuses have realized high-definition output images by using ink droplets having a plurality of dot diameters, or using inks of different densities and different colors. Along with this, the number of nozzle arrays of recording elements in the recording head is also increasing. In addition, while increasing the definition of an image, in order to improve the throughput, the length of the recording head is also increasing. As the number of nozzle rows increases and the length of the recording head increases, the amount of image data necessary for the recording operation is also increasing.

  In Patent Document 1, multi-value data having a resolution lower than the recording resolution of the recording apparatus is input to the recording apparatus, and the input multi-value data is developed into recording data using a predetermined dot arrangement pattern in the recording apparatus. A method for performing a recording operation has been proposed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the printing apparatus stores in advance a plurality of dot arrangement patterns having different dot arrangements for input multi-value data having the same gradation level in a table memory. Then, one of the plurality of dot arrangement patterns is selected, and the multi-value data is developed into binary data with the selected dot arrangement pattern. For the selection of the dot arrangement pattern, a method of selecting according to the position of the image data or a method of selecting sequentially according to the image data is used. In general, when the input image is character data or the like, selection by position is often used, and when the input image is a natural image or the like, selection is often made sequentially.

Here, a recording operation when recording image data in the recording apparatus will be briefly described. First, the host device transmits multi-value data for each color to be recorded as image data to the recording device. This multi-value data is stored in the memory of the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus reads multi-value data from the memory at a predetermined timing, selects a dot arrangement pattern, and develops it into binary data. This expanded binary data is stored in the print buffer. The recording apparatus reads binary data from the print buffer while scanning the recording head, and performs recording data processing corresponding to the recording mode on the binary data. Then, the recording data is transferred to the recording head. The recording head performs recording according to the recording data. In this way, the printing apparatus develops the multi-value data input from the host device into binary data, and stores it in each print buffer corresponding to each nozzle array with the resolution of the print head. At the time of recording operation, binary data is read from the print buffer for each nozzle row and recorded.
JP 09-046522 A

  As described above, generally, binarized data is stored in a print buffer. For this reason, when the number of nozzle rows increases, the required print buffer capacity increases. In addition, when generating print data according to each nozzle array, the number of memory accesses increases, so there is a possibility that print data generation will not be completed within a predetermined time, and the speed of the print operation is reduced. There may be situations where it must be reduced.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, the multi-value data is stored in the print buffer, the dot arrangement pattern selection is sequentially controlled during the recording operation, and the multi-value data is expanded to the binary data. Should be generated. For example, in order to sequentially control the selection of the dot arrangement pattern, the pattern numbers associated with the dot arrangement pattern may be changed in a predetermined order.

  Incidentally, a recording apparatus is usually provided with a plurality of recording modes. As the recording mode, a bidirectional recording mode in which recording is performed in both the forward direction (hereinafter referred to as the forward direction) and the backward direction (hereinafter referred to as the reverse direction) with respect to the main scanning direction of the carriage, There is a mode for performing multi-pass printing in which printing is performed by scanning a plurality of times. In these recording modes, the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern is retained, and the same dot arrangement pattern is selected at the same position if the input multi-value data is the same regardless of the scanning direction, regardless of how many times the carriage is scanned. There is a need to. For example, FIG. 15A shows the gradation level 1 of input multi-value data having four types of dot arrangement patterns. Also, for example, FIG. 15B shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern when the dot arrangement pattern selection is sequentially controlled with the left end as the initial value 0 during forward printing. In this case, every time input data of gradation level 1 appears, the pattern number changes from 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0. On the other hand, FIG. 15C shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern when the dot arrangement pattern selection is sequentially controlled with the right end set to the initial value 0 during reverse printing. Referring to FIGS. 15B and 15C, it can be seen that the dot arrangement pattern numbers for the respective pixels differ depending on the scanning direction of the recording head. Accordingly, the dot arrangement pattern differs depending on the scanning direction of the recording head, and the recording image cannot be realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a recording in which a dot arrangement pattern is selected in consideration of the scanning direction of the recording head, and multi-value data is developed into binary data using the pattern. An object is to provide an apparatus and a method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a recording apparatus that records input multi-value data by gradation expression, and performs both scanning by reciprocating scanning of a recording head composed of a plurality of nozzle rows. Control means for controlling the recording in the direction, and one of the plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in the multi-value data of the same gradation level is predetermined according to the scanning direction of the recording head It comprises selection means for selecting in order and development means for developing multi-value data into binary data using the dot arrangement pattern selected by the selection means.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a recording method for recording input multi-value data by gradation expression, and controls recording in both scanning directions by reciprocating scanning of a recording head composed of a plurality of nozzle rows. And a selection step of selecting any dot arrangement pattern from a plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in multi-value data of the same gradation level in a predetermined order according to the scanning direction of the recording head. And a development step of developing the multi-value data into binary data using the dot arrangement pattern selected in the selection step.

  According to the present invention, the dot arrangement pattern is selected in consideration of the scanning direction of the recording head, and the multi-value data is developed into binary data using the pattern. Regardless of this, it is possible to guarantee the consistency of dot arrangement. As a result, the generation of a pseudo contour on the recorded image can be prevented and a high-definition image can be formed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a recording apparatus using an inkjet recording method will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the present specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but may be significant. Further, 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, regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “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 “ink droplet” or “liquid”) should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording (printing)”. Therefore, by being applied on the recording medium, it can be used for forming an image, pattern, pattern, etc., processing the recording medium, or processing the ink (for example, coagulation or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid that can be provided.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  201 is a CPU. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM that stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and other table data. A RAM 203 is used as an area such as a reception buffer that stores data received from a host device (not shown) via the interface 204, a print buffer that stores print data, and a mask buffer that stores mask data. .

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a control unit, which is realized by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 205 includes an interface control circuit 206, a recording data generation circuit 207, a head data control circuit 208, a head control circuit 209, a motor control circuit 210, and a recording head 211. The interface control circuit 206 transmits / receives data to / from the host device via the interface 204, and the recording data generation circuit 207 generates recording data based on the data received from the host device. The head data control circuit 208 temporarily holds the recording data generated by the recording data generation circuit 207 and rearranges the data in the order of transfer to the recording head 211. A head control circuit 209 controls printing in both scanning directions by reciprocating scanning of the recording head 211. For example, data transfer control to the recording head 211 and ink ejection control are performed. The carriage motor 212 scans the carriage on which the recording head 211 is mounted, and the motor control circuit 210 performs drive control of the conveyance motor 213 that supplies and discharges the recording medium.

  Here, a recording operation in the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  When the recording device receives image data from the host device via the interface 204, the recording device temporarily stores the received data in a reception buffer allocated in the RAM 203. After the command analysis of the received data, the recording device stores the analyzed data in a print buffer allocated in the RAM 203. This data may be bitmap format data or multi-value data. When the necessary amount of data is stored in the print buffer, the recording apparatus reads the data from the print buffer and the mask buffer in the recording data generation circuit 207 and performs print processing on the data to generate recording data. Then, the recording data is sent to the head data control circuit. The head data control circuit 208 temporarily holds the recording data, and rearranges the recording data in the driving order of the recording head. After the data rearrangement, the head control circuit 209 receives print data from the head data control circuit 208 and transfers it to the print head 211. Then, a drive pulse is given from the head control circuit 209 to the recording head 211. Thereby, ink is ejected from each nozzle, and an image expressed in gradation is recorded on the recording medium. Scanning of a carriage on which the recording head 211 is mounted and conveyance of a recording medium such as paper are performed by driving a carriage motor 212 and a conveyance motor 213. The carriage motor 212 and the carry motor 213 are driven under the control of the motor control circuit 210.

  Next, the configuration of the recording head 211 mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, six colors of ink of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, let, and green are mounted on the recording head 211. As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 211 includes a black nozzle row group 501, a cyan nozzle row group 502 and 506, a magenta nozzle row group 503 and 505, a yellow nozzle row group 504, and a red nozzle row group. 507, a green nozzle row group 508 is provided. Each nozzle row group includes four nozzle rows.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each nozzle row group includes a plurality of (in this case, four) nozzle rows that eject different sizes of ink. In the recording head 211, basically, an image is formed by arranging dots on a recording medium with two rows of an even row and an odd row as one set. In the discharge nozzles on the same nozzle row, 384 nozzles are arranged at 600 dpi (dot / inch) intervals. Note that the interval between the even-side nozzle and the odd-side nozzle that ejects ink of the same size is 1200 dpi.

  Here, for black 501, yellow 504, red 507, and green 508, 602 is the even side of the large dot row, 603 is the odd side of the large dot row, 601 is the even side of the medium dot row, and 604 is the odd side of the medium dot row. On the side. Cyan 502 and 506 and magenta 503 and 505 constitute one set of 606 and 607, where 606 is the even side of the large dot row and 607 is the odd side of the large dot row. Further, 610 and 611 constitute one set, 610 is the even side of the large dot row, and 611 is the odd side of the large dot row. Reference numeral 605 denotes the even side of the medium dot row, 612 denotes the odd side of the medium dot row, 608 denotes the odd side of the small dot row, and 609 denotes the even side of the small dot row.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of dot arrangement when binarizing 4-bit multi-value data with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi (pixel / inch). FIG. 4A shows a dot arrangement of black, yellow, red, and green. In this example, 1200 dpi 4 dots × 2 columns of data is generated from 600 dpi-4 bit multi-value data. The four dots are composed of data on the even side of the large dot, the odd side of the large dot, the even side of the medium dot, and the odd side of the medium dot.

  For cyan and magenta, since there are four (two sets) nozzle rows of large dots, the dot arrangement shown in FIG. In this case, data of 8 dots × 2 columns of 1200 dpi is generated from multi-value data of 600 dpi-4 bits. The 8 dots are data on the even side of the large dot, the odd side of the large dot (however, these are two sets), the even side of the medium dot, the odd side of the medium dot, the even side of the small dot, and the odd side of the small dot Consists of

  FIG. 5 is an example of a dot arrangement pattern corresponding to FIG. That is, the case is shown where the multi-level data of 600 dpi-4 bits is the gradation level 6. At this time, one large dot is arranged in a 600 × 600 dpi grid, and two medium dots are arranged. Further, there are four types of dot arrangement patterns, patterns 0 to 3. Since development from multi-value data to bitmap data is performed separately for each nozzle row, the dot arrangement pattern is for an even row of large dots, an odd row of large dots, an even row of medium dots, and an odd dot of medium dots. Separate for each row. That is, it is divided into a dot arrangement pattern table of Table # 0 to Table # 3. The dot arrangement pattern table is stored in a table memory (dot arrangement pattern memory 106 described later). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the table memory collectively holds patterns 0 to 3 corresponding to the input levels of gradation levels 10 to 15. In the table memory, for example, a plurality of dot arrangement pattern tables are held in a configuration of Table # 0 at addresses $ 0000 to $ 000F, Table # 1 at addresses $ 0010 to $ 001F, and so on. A table can be arbitrarily selected for each nozzle row by a predetermined register setting.

  Here, an example of the configuration of the recording data generation circuit 207 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a data generation sequencer that controls the recording data generation sequence in accordance with the data development mode. This control is performed until recording data processing such as masking is performed on the data read from the print buffer and mask buffer at a predetermined timing and the data is transferred to the head data control circuit 208.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a data expansion mode register that sets a data expansion mode corresponding to each nozzle row. In the data development mode register 102, for example, either the bitmap mode or the multi-value data development mode is set. The multi-value data expansion mode has a plurality of expansion modes depending on the input data resolution and the number of bits. For example, there are expansion modes such as a 600 dpi-2 bit mode and a 600 dpi-4 bit mode.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a PB address register, which sets a print buffer read address corresponding to each nozzle row. Reference numeral 104 denotes an MB address register, which sets a read address of the mask buffer corresponding to each nozzle row. Reference numeral 105 denotes a DMA controller, which acquires addresses set in the PB address register 103 and the MB address register 104 by a trigger from the data generation sequencer 101, and reads data from the print buffer and the mask buffer. A dot arrangement pattern memory 106 stores a dot arrangement pattern. The dot arrangement pattern may be set in a register instead of being stored in the memory.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a table selection register, which sets which dot arrangement pattern is selected for each nozzle row. A data development circuit 108 is selected according to the setting of the table selection register 107 when the data stored in the print buffer is multi-value data (the multi-value data development mode is set). The data is developed into binary data using a dot arrangement pattern. If the data stored in the print buffer is a bitmap (bitmap mode is set), the data expansion circuit 108 does not perform the expansion process and holds the data read from the print buffer.

  A dot arrangement pattern control circuit 109 manages various pattern identifiers (pattern numbers in the present embodiment) associated with each dot arrangement pattern when developing multi-value data into binary data. A dot arrangement pattern is selected based on the set value. The various setting values referred to here include the setting values of the pattern number initial value register 110, the dot arrangement pattern number memory 111, and the scanning direction setting register.

  A data mask circuit 113 masks binary data developed by the data development circuit 108 using mask data read from the mask buffer. Reference numeral 114 denotes a recording data transfer circuit that transfers the recording data generated by the data mask circuit 113 to the head data control circuit 208.

  Here, a description will be given of processing when the recording data generation circuit 207 having the above configuration generates binary data from multi-value data. In the present embodiment, recording is performed by the recording head shown in FIG. 2 using 32 nozzles × 16 columns as a data generation unit. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, 384 nozzles in one nozzle row are divided into 12 blocks to be BLK_NO0 to 11. After generating print data for 16 columns for 32 nozzles of BLK_NO0, print data is generated in the order of BLK_NO1, BLK_NO2,..., BLK_NO11. Data generation in BLK_NO0 to 11 is sequentially performed at a timing when data for 16 columns is generated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow when generating recording data of BLK_NO0 to 11.

  The recording data generation circuit 207 starts generating scanning data by generating a trigger signal at a predetermined timing when the carriage on which the recording head 211 is mounted starts scanning and the recording head 211 reaches the recordable area (S101). If the data to be generated is the recording start end (the left end if the recording direction is the forward direction) (YES in S102), the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern that is the initial value is acquired from the pattern number initial value register 110 (S103a). . If it is not the recording start end (NO in S102), the dot arrangement pattern number memory 111 is read to obtain the pattern number (S103b).

  Further, the recording data generation circuit 207 reads the dot arrangement pattern memory 106 and acquires the dot arrangement pattern corresponding to the dot arrangement pattern table number (S104). The dot arrangement pattern table number is set in the table selection register 107.

  When the dot arrangement pattern is read, the recording data generation circuit 207 reads the multi-value data from the print buffer (S105). Then, the dot arrangement pattern number for the read multi-value data is controlled. That is, control is performed to change the dot arrangement pattern number in a predetermined order in order to change the dot arrangement pattern every time multi-value data of the same gradation appears. The control for changing the pattern numbers in a predetermined order is performed by selecting the dot arrangement pattern in a predetermined order according to the scanning direction of the recording head 211.

  The recording data generation circuit 207 determines a dot arrangement pattern based on the pattern number determined by this control, and develops multi-value data into binary data using the dot arrangement pattern (S106).

  Subsequently, the recording data generation circuit 207 reads the mask data from the mask buffer (S107), and performs a mask process on the binarized data (S108). Then, the generated recording data is transferred to the head data control circuit 208 (S109). When the data generation of one block is completed, the pattern number that becomes the head of the next 16 columns is written to the pattern number memory 111 (S110). If the block that generated the recording data is BLK_NO11, the data generation for one column has been completed. Therefore, this process is terminated, and it waits until the trigger for instructing the generation of the recording data is input again. To do. Otherwise, the process returns to S102 and the recording data of the next block is generated (S111).

  The recording data generation process does not necessarily have to be performed in this order. For example, for a portion where parallel processing is possible, the processing may be performed in parallel. For example, the mask buffer read process in S107 may be performed in parallel while the multivalued data is expanded in S106.

  Next, processing for sequentially selecting the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern will be described. As described above, this process is performed when multi-value data is expanded into binary data.

(1 pass forward recording)
FIG. 10 shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern during one-pass forward recording in which the recording head is scanned in the forward direction (forward direction) to form an image in one scan (one scan). Here, for example, the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern corresponding to the gradation level 6 (the halftone dot position in the figure) when generating the recording data of BLK_NO0 is shown.

  FIG. 10A shows pattern numbers when data of 16 columns is generated at the start of recording in forward recording. At the start of recording, the value set in the pattern number initial value register 110 is acquired as the initial value of the leftmost dot arrangement pattern. The initial value set in the pattern number initial value register 110 is, for example, for 8 nozzles. An initial value is set for each nozzle in units of 2 bits. For the ninth and subsequent nozzles of the recording head, the set values for these eight nozzles are set repeatedly. For example, if the set value of the pattern number initial value register 110 is 0xe4e4, 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3 are set in order for the nozzles 0 to 7. Further, the setting is repeated for nozzles 8 to 15, nozzles 16 to 23,... In units of 8 nozzles. At the time of forward recording, the pattern number changes in ascending order such as 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0 whenever multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. After data generation for 16 columns of BLK_NO0 is completed, a pattern number serving as an initial value is written in the pattern number memory 111 when data for the next 16 columns is generated. Here, values of 0, 3, 1, 2,..., 0, 3, 3 are held in the pattern number memory 111 in order from the first nozzle. After the generation of the BLK_NO0 data is completed, data for one nozzle row (16 columns) is generated by performing data generation in the same manner from BLK_NO1 to 11.

  FIG. 10B shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern at the time of data generation for the next 16 columns of FIG.

  At the start of data generation, the value set in the pattern number memory 111 is read as the initial value of the dot arrangement pattern. The pattern number changes in ascending order every time multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. After data generation for 16 columns of BLK_NO0 is completed, a pattern number serving as an initial value is written in the pattern number memory 111 when data for the next 16 columns is generated. Here, the values of 2, 1, 3, 1,..., 3, 3, 2 are held in the pattern number memory 111 in order from the first nozzle. The same applies to the data generation of BLK_NO1 to 11. Thereafter, recording is performed while data is generated every 16 columns to form one scan image.

(1 pass reverse direction)
FIG. 11 shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern during one-pass reverse recording in which the recording head is scanned in the reverse direction to form an image in one scan. Here, for example, the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern corresponding to the gradation level 6 (the halftone dot position in the figure) when generating the recording data of BLK_NO0 is shown.

  FIG. 11A shows pattern numbers when data of 16 columns is generated at the start of recording in reverse recording. At the start of recording, the value set in the pattern number initial value register 110 is acquired as the initial value of the rightmost dot arrangement pattern. For example, if the set value of the pattern number initial value register 110 is 0xe4e4, 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3 are set in order for the nozzles 0 to 7. Further, the setting is repeated for nozzles 8 to 15, nozzles 16 to 23,... In units of 8 nozzles. The pattern number changes in descending order of 0 → 3 → 2 → 1 → 0 every time multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. After data generation for 16 columns of BLK_NO0 is completed, a pattern number serving as an initial value is written in the pattern number memory 111 when data for the next 16 columns is generated. Here, values of 0, 3, 3, 2,..., 0, 1, 3 are held in the pattern number memory 111 in order from the first nozzle. After the generation of the BLK_NO0 data is completed, data for one nozzle row (16 columns) is generated by performing data generation in the same manner from BLK_NO1 to 11.

  FIG. 11B shows the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern at the time of data generation for the next 16 columns of FIG.

  At the start of data generation, the value set in the pattern number memory 111 is read as the initial value of the dot arrangement pattern. The pattern number changes in ascending order every time multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. After data generation for 16 columns of BLK_NO0 is completed, a pattern number serving as an initial value is written in the pattern number memory 111 when data for the next 16 columns is generated. Here, the values of 3, 2, 0, 1,..., 2, 3, 0 are held in the pattern number memory 111 in order from the first nozzle. The same applies to the data generation of BLK_NO1 to 11. Thereafter, recording is performed while data is generated every 16 columns to form one scan image.

(2-pass bidirectional recording)
Next, a case of two-pass printing in which an image is formed by scanning the recording head a plurality of times (in this case, scanning twice) will be described. In two-pass printing, an image formed during the forward scan of the first pass (during forward scan) with respect to the same position on the recording medium (in this embodiment, paper) and the reverse of the second pass. There is a complementary relationship with an image formed during direction scanning (return scan). In FIG. 12, the A1 image formed by forward recording and the A2 image formed by backward recording have a complementary relationship. The same applies to B1 and B2. Accordingly, if the gradation levels of the recording in the first pass and the recording in the second pass are the same at each recording position in the scanning direction of the recording head 211, the same dot arrangement is used in the first pass and the second pass. Patterns need to be used.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dot arrangement pattern during two-pass bidirectional recording.

  FIG. 13A shows a dot arrangement pattern of 16 columns on the right end side with respect to BLK_NO6 in the forward recording A1 shown in FIG. Recording nozzles included in BLK_NO6 to BLK_NO11 are used for the first image recording on the paper surface in the two-pass recording. Since the forward recording A1 is the first pass of the two-pass recording, the value set in the pattern number initial value register 110 is acquired as the initial value of the dot arrangement pattern. Then, generation of recording data is repeated every 16 columns. The pattern number at the right end of BLK_NO6 is as shown in FIG. When the values stored in the pattern number memory 111, 0, 3, 1, 1,..., 0, 3, 2 are read and 16 columns of recording data are generated, the rightmost pattern number is 1, 0, 2, 0,..., 2, 2, 1, and this value is stored in the pattern number memory 111.

  Next, for 192 nozzles, the paper is fed by 192 nozzles, and the second pass is recorded in the reverse direction. At this time, since the image of the forward recording A1 and the image of the backward recording A2 are in a complementary relationship, BLK_NO0 to BLK_NO5 of the backward recording A2 are at the same position as BLK_NO6 to BLK_NO11 of the forward recording A1. It must be the same dot arrangement.

  FIG. 13B shows a dot arrangement pattern of 16 columns on the right end side with respect to BLK_NO0 of the reverse recording A2 that is complementary to BLK_NO6 of the forward recording A1 shown in FIG.

  The initial value of the BLK_NO0 dot arrangement pattern in the reverse recording A2 is read out from the value stored in the pattern number memory 111. The value stored in the pattern number memory 111 is the last (right end) pattern number of BLK_NO6 of the forward recording A1. The pattern number in the reverse recording changes in descending order of 0 → 3 → 2 → 1 → 0 every time multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. In this way, BLK_NO6 to BLK_NO11 in the forward recording A1 and BLK_NO0 to BLK_NO5 in the backward recording A2 have the same dot arrangement at the same position.

  On the other hand, reverse recording B1, which performs recording at the same timing as reverse recording A2, is the first pass of the two-pass recording. FIG. 13C shows a dot arrangement pattern of 16 columns on the right end side for BLK_NO6 at this time. Since the reverse recording B1 is the first pass of the two-pass recording, the value set in the pattern number initial value register 110 is acquired as the initial value of the dot arrangement pattern. The pattern number changes in descending order every time multilevel data of gradation level 6 appears. Recording data generation is repeated while storing the pattern number in the pattern number memory 111 every 16 columns, and the pattern number memory 111 holds the pattern number at the left end of BLK_NO6 of the reverse recording B1.

  Thereafter, the forward recording B2 is performed as a complementary image of the backward recording B1, and the recording operation is performed while controlling the pattern number of the dot arrangement pattern as C1 as the first pass image of the two-pass recording. Note that such sequential control of the dot arrangement pattern can set whether to perform sequential control for each gradation level of the input multi-value data. Further, the sequential control of the dot arrangement pattern can set whether to perform the sequential control for each nozzle row.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the dot arrangement pattern is selected in consideration of the scanning direction of the recording head, and the multi-value data is developed into binary data using the pattern. Even in the directional recording, the dot arrangement consistency can be guaranteed regardless of the recording pass. As a result, the generation of a pseudo contour on the recorded image can be prevented and a high-definition image can be formed. Further, since the input data is stored in the print buffer as multi-value data, the capacity of the print buffer can be reduced.

  The above is an example of a typical embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, the recording apparatus described above may be used as an image output apparatus for information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. .

  It should be noted that the present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a recording head 211 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of nozzle arrangement in the recording head 211 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the dot arrangement | positioning corresponding to multi-value data. It is a figure which shows an example of the dot arrangement pattern corresponding to multi-value data (600dpi-4bit). 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a dot arrangement pattern memory 106. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a recording data generation circuit 207 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating block numbers in a recording head used when generating recording data. It is a flow which shows the flow of a process at the time of producing | generating the recording data for 1 nozzle row. It is a figure which shows an example of the dot arrangement pattern number at the time of forward direction recording. It is a figure which shows an example of the dot arrangement pattern number at the time of reverse direction recording. It is a figure which shows an example of the complementary relationship of the recording pixel at the time of 2 pass bidirectional | two-way recording. It is a figure which shows an example of the dot arrangement pattern number at the time of 2 pass bidirectional | two-way recording. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating a prior art. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Data generation sequencer 102 Data expansion mode register 103 PB address register 104 MB address register 105 DMA controller 106 Dot arrangement pattern memory 107 Table selection register 108 Data expansion circuit 109 Dot arrangement pattern control circuit 110 Pattern number initial value register 111 Dot arrangement pattern number Memory 112 Scanning direction setting register 113 Data mask circuit 114 Recording data transfer circuit 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I / F
205 Control Unit 206 I / F Control Circuit 207 Recording Data Generation Circuit 208 Head Data Control Circuit 209 Head Control Circuit 210 Motor Control Circuit 211 Recording Head 212 Carriage Motor 213 Conveyance Motor

Claims (6)

A recording apparatus for recording input multi-value data by gradation expression,
Control means for controlling recording in both scanning directions by reciprocating scanning of a recording head composed of a plurality of nozzle rows;
Selecting means for selecting any dot arrangement pattern from a plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in multi-value data of the same gradation level in a predetermined order according to the scanning direction of the recording head;
And a developing unit that develops the multivalued data into binary data using the dot arrangement pattern selected by the selecting unit. The selection means includes
If the gradation levels of the recording in the forward scanning and the recording in the backward scanning are the same at each recording position in the scanning direction of the recording head, the recording position in each scanning position in the scanning direction is the recording level in the backward scanning. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dot arrangement pattern that is the same as the dot arrangement pattern selected at the time of recording in forward scanning is selected. The recording head has a plurality of nozzle rows that eject ink droplets of different sizes,
The selection means includes
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dot arrangement pattern is selected separately for each of the plurality of nozzle rows. Each of the plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in the multi-value data of the same gradation level is given a pattern number,
The selection means includes
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dot arrangement pattern corresponding to the pattern number is selected so that the pattern number is in ascending order or descending order according to a scanning direction of the recording head. The control means includes
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is reciprocated to perform bidirectional recording or multipass recording. A recording method for recording input multi-value data by gradation expression,
A control process for controlling recording in both scanning directions by reciprocating scanning of a recording head composed of a plurality of nozzle rows;
A selection step of selecting any dot arrangement pattern from a plurality of dot arrangement patterns provided in multi-value data of the same gradation level in a predetermined order according to the scanning direction of the recording head;
A development step of developing the multi-value data into binary data using the dot arrangement pattern selected in the selection step.

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