JP2010000665A - Recorder and method for adjusting recording position - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time required for adjusting a plurality of types of recording position deviations. <P>SOLUTION: Patterns for acquiring adjustment values for adjusting recording position deviations are simultaneously recorded for the plurality of types of recording position deviations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium using a recording head for ejecting ink, and a recording position adjusting method in the recording apparatus.

  In recent years, ink jet recording apparatuses have been required to have high speed and high image quality. In response to the demand for higher image quality, in order to reduce image adverse effects such as unevenness and streaks on the image due to mounting accuracy of the recording head and assembly errors of the recording apparatus, Technology to adjust the deviation is becoming essential.

  The deviation of the recording position described above occurs, for example, between a dot recorded by the forward scanning of the recording head and a dot recorded by the backward scanning, or between dots recorded by two different nozzle arrays. Further, when the recording head is attached to the recording apparatus at an inclination, the dots recorded by the upstream nozzle group in the transport direction of the nozzle row and the dots recorded by the downstream nozzle group are changed in the main scanning direction of the recording head. May be recorded in the wrong direction. As described above, various types of recording position shifts may occur in the recording apparatus depending on combinations of different recording operations.

  To adjust the displacement of the recording position, record multiple patterns on recording paper (recording medium), find the adjustment value from the density information obtained from these patterns, and the timing of ejecting ink droplets based on this adjustment value It is necessary to shift. By the way, when recording a pattern for obtaining an adjustment value, the position of a dot (adjustment dot) to be recorded by another recording operation is relative to the position of a dot (reference dot) to be recorded by a certain recording operation. A plurality of patterns are recorded while shifting. For example, in order to adjust the recording position deviation between the forward scan and the backward scan, the relative deviation of the position of the dot (adjustment dot) to be recorded with the backward scan is relative to the position of the dot (reference dot) to be recorded with the forward scan. Record multiple patterns with varying amounts. In addition, in order to adjust the recording position deviation of two different nozzle arrays, recording is performed with the other nozzle array with respect to the positions of dots (reference dots) recorded with one nozzle array in one scan of the recording head. A plurality of patterns with different relative shift amounts of the positions of the dots to be adjusted (adjustment dots) are recorded. Further, in order to adjust the recording position shift caused by the inclination of the recording head, after recording the reference dot by the upstream nozzle group, the recording medium is conveyed and the adjustment dot is recorded by the downstream nozzle group. At this time, a plurality of patterns are recorded by changing a relative shift amount between the reference dot and the adjustment dot in the main scanning direction. In the following, the adjustment of the recording position deviation of the forward scanning and the backward scanning is performed by bidirectional adjustment, the adjustment of the recording position deviation of two different nozzle arrays is adjusted by the inter-row adjustment, and the adjustment of the recording position deviation caused by the inclination of the nozzle array is performed. Also described as tilt adjustment.

  Then, after recording a plurality of patterns for each type of recording position deviation to be adjusted, optical characteristics (for example, reflection optical density) of each pattern are measured by an optical sensor provided in the recording apparatus, and each of the plurality of patterns is measured. An adjustment value is obtained by obtaining information on the optical characteristics of

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing the time required for adjusting the recording position deviation by reading the edge of the recorded pattern with an optical sensor and adjusting the recording position deviation based on the coordinates of the read edge. ing.
JP 2003-291427 A

  In order to realize high image quality, it is necessary to adjust various types of recording position deviations. However, as the types of recording position deviations to be adjusted (adjustment items) increase, the time required for adjusting the recording position becomes longer.

  If the recording position is adjusted on the basis of the coordinates of the edge of the pattern as in Patent Document 1, the time required for the adjustment can be shortened. However, in this method, when a plurality of types of recording position deviations are adjusted, it is necessary to perform processes such as pattern formation and reading by a sensor for each adjustment item, and the adjustment takes a lot of time.

  Therefore, in the current situation where various adjustments of recording position deviation are required, it is desired to reduce the time required for adjustment even when adjusting a plurality of types of recording position deviations.

  Therefore, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to shorten the time required for adjusting a plurality of types of recording position deviations.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording head for ejecting ink, and a plurality of types of recording positions generated by a combination of different recording operations. For each of the deviations, the control means for recording the pattern for adjusting the deviation of the recording position on the recording head, and the optical characteristics of each of the patterns for adjusting the deviation of the recorded plural types of recording positions A measuring unit for measuring the recording medium, and an acquisition unit for acquiring an adjustment value for adjusting a recording position shift with respect to each of the plurality of types of recording position shifts based on the optical characteristics measured by the measuring unit. And the control means records a pattern for adjusting a deviation of the plurality of types of recording positions by partially overlapping a pattern recording period. It is characterized in.

  A recording position adjusting method for adjusting a recording position of a recording head for ejecting ink, wherein the recording position deviation is adjusted for each of a plurality of types of recording position deviation caused by a combination of different recording operations. A step of recording a pattern for the recording head by the recording head, a step of measuring optical characteristics of each of the recorded patterns for adjusting the displacement of the plurality of types of recording positions, and the measurement based on the measured optical characteristics. A step of acquiring an adjustment value for adjusting a recording position shift for each of the plurality of types of recording position shifts, and partially overlapping a period for recording the pattern, A pattern for adjusting the shift of the recording position is recorded.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for adjustment when adjusting a plurality of types of recording position deviations.

  In this specification, “recording” not only forms significant information such as characters and graphics, but also forms images, patterns, patterns, etc. on a wide variety of recording media, regardless of significance, or It also represents the case where the medium is processed. It does not matter whether it has been made obvious so that humans 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.

  Further, the term “ink” should be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of “recording” described above. When applied to a recording medium, it forms an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc., or processes the recording medium. It represents a liquid that can be subjected to the treatment. Examples of the ink treatment include solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium.

  Further, “recording element” (sometimes referred to as “nozzle”) collectively refers to an ejection port, a liquid path communicating with the ejection port, and an element that generates energy used for ink ejection unless otherwise specified. Shall.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as a recording apparatus) 1 of the present embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 includes a carriage 2 that detachably mounts a recording head 3 that can eject ink, and a drive mechanism that moves the carriage 2 to scan the recording head 3. The carriage 2 can reciprocate the carriage 2 in the direction of arrow A by transmitting the driving force of the carriage motor M1, which is a driving source, to the carriage 2 via the transmission mechanism 4 including a belt and a pulley. An ink cartridge 6 is detachably mounted on the carriage 2 in accordance with the type of ink used in the recording apparatus 1.

  In addition, a paper feeding mechanism 5 that transports the recording paper P that is a recording medium in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the carriage 2 is provided, and the recording paper P is intermittently fed by a predetermined amount in accordance with the scanning of the recording head 3. Further, the recording apparatus 1 includes a recovery device 10 for performing an ejection recovery process of the recording head 3 at one end of the movement range of the carriage 2. In such a recording apparatus, the recording paper P is fed into the scanning area of the recording head 3 by the conveying operation of the paper feeding mechanism 5, and images, characters, etc. are recorded on the recording paper P by the scanning of the recording head 3. The carriage 2 is connected to a part of a drive belt 7 constituting a transmission mechanism 4 that transmits a driving force of the carriage motor M1, and is guided and supported so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow A along the guide shaft 13. . Thereby, the driving force of the carriage motor M1 is transmitted to the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 can move. In this case, the carriage 2 can move in the forward direction or the backward direction by forward rotation and reverse rotation of the carriage motor M1, respectively. The scale 8 detects the position of the carriage 2 in the arrow A direction. In this embodiment, a scale obtained by recording black bars at a predetermined pitch on a transparent PET film is used. One of the scales 8 is fixed to the chassis 9, and the other is supported by a leaf spring (not shown). The position of the carriage 2 can be detected by a sensor (not shown) provided on the carriage 2 that optically detects the bar of the scale 8.

  A platen (not shown) is provided in a region facing the ejection port array of the recording head 3, and ink is ejected during the scanning of the recording head 3 onto the recording paper P whose flat surface is maintained by the platen. Recording is performed.

  The recording head 3 performs recording by selectively discharging ink from a plurality of discharge ports by generating energy according to a recording signal. In particular, the recording head 3 of the present embodiment employs an ink jet system that ejects ink using thermal energy. Therefore, the recording head 3 includes an electrothermal converter (recording element) that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, and generates film boiling by applying the thermal energy to the ink. Then, the ink is ejected from the ejection port using the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of the bubbles due to the generated film boiling. This electrothermal converter is provided corresponding to each discharge port, and by applying a pulse voltage corresponding to the recording signal to the electrothermal converter corresponding to each discharge port, ink is discharged from the corresponding discharge port. Is done.

  The transport roller 14 is driven by a transport roller motor M2 (not shown), and the pinch roller 15 sandwiches the recording paper P with the transport roller 14 by a spring (not shown). The pinch roller holder 16 supports the pinch roller 15 rotatably. The roller gear 17 is attached to one end of the transport roller 14, and the transport roller 14 is driven by the rotation of the transport motor M2 transmitted to the transport roller gear 17 via an intermediate gear (not shown). The second discharge roller 20 is driven by the rotation of the discharge roller motor M3 being transmitted, and discharges the recording paper P recorded by the recording head 3 to the outside of the apparatus. Note that a spur (not shown) is pressed against the second discharge roller 20 by a pressing force of a spring (not shown), and the recording paper P is sandwiched between the second discharge roller 20 and the spur. The spur holder 22 supports the spur rotatably.

  A recovery device 10 for maintaining the ejection performance of the recording head 3 is disposed at a predetermined position (for example, a position corresponding to the home position) outside the range in which the carriage 2 reciprocates for the recording operation. Yes. The recovery device 10 includes a capping mechanism 11 for capping a surface (discharge port surface) provided with an ejection port of the recording head 3 and a wiping mechanism 12 for cleaning the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. In conjunction with the capping of the ejection port surface by the capping mechanism 11, ink is forcibly discharged from the ejection port by a suction mechanism (not shown) in the recovery device (not shown). As a result, a discharge recovery process such as removing thickened ink or bubbles in the discharge port of the recording head 3 is performed. Further, by capping the ejection port surface of the recording head 3 during non-recording or the like, the recording head 3 can be protected and ink can be prevented from drying. Further, the wiping mechanism 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the capping mechanism 11 and cleans the ejection port surface by wiping ink droplets adhering to the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. The capping mechanism 11 and the wiping mechanism 12 can keep the recording head 3 in a normal ejection state.

  FIG. 2 shows a control configuration diagram of the recording apparatus 1. The pattern storage memory 201 is a memory for storing pattern data for adjusting the recording position deviation. The pattern storage memory 201 is composed of a nonvolatile memory (ROM) and is built in the recording apparatus main body. The pattern storage memory 201 may be provided in an external device such as a computer instead of the recording device main body. In that case, the pattern data stored in the pattern storage memory 201 can be transferred via the interface 207.

  The adjustment value storage memory 202 is a memory that stores adjustment values for adjusting the recording position deviation. The adjustment value storage memory 202 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) and is built in the recording apparatus main body. Note that the adjustment value storage memory 202 may be provided in an external device in the same manner as the pattern storage memory 201. When recording user-desired recording data, the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage memory 202 is applied to change the ejection timing of the recording head 3 to perform recording. The pattern development buffer 203 is a volatile memory (RAM) that temporarily stores and holds pattern data to record the pattern stored in the pattern storage memory 201, and is built in the recording apparatus main body. The pattern stored in the pattern storage memory 201 described above is expanded in the pattern expansion buffer 203. Then, according to an instruction from the control device 204, the recording head 3 performs recording based on the pattern data developed in the pattern development buffer 203.

  The control device 204 is built in the recording device main body, and corresponds to a so-called CPU or MPU that manages arithmetic processing, cooperation between the devices, and control of the entire recording device. The pattern reading device 205 is an optical sensor composed of a light emitter and a light receiver mounted on a recording device, and is used to measure the density of a pattern recorded on a recording medium by converting it into an electrical signal. This pattern reading device (optical sensor) is, for example, installed on the carriage 2 upstream of the recording head 3 in the transport direction.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the adjustment procedure of the recording position deviation in this embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 301, a plurality of patterns for adjusting the recording position deviation are recorded on a recording medium. In step S302, the optical density of each of the plurality of patterns is measured using the pattern reading device 205. The optical density of the pattern measured in step S302 is temporarily stored and used for the adjustment value calculation (acquisition) step in step S303.

  In step S304, it is determined whether or not acquisition of adjustment values has been completed for all adjustment items. In this step, if it is determined that the adjustment value acquisition of all the adjustment items has been completed, the adjustment value of each adjustment item is stored in the adjustment value storage memory 202 in step S305, and the ejection timing is based on the adjustment value in the subsequent recording. Is changed. If it is determined in step S304 that acquisition of adjustment values has not been completed for all adjustment items, the process returns to step S301, and pattern recording and density reading are performed for adjustment items for which adjustment value acquisition has not been completed. To obtain the adjustment value.

  FIG. 4 shows a layout of a pattern recorded on the recording medium P. In the figure, 401 is a plurality of patterns for bidirectional adjustment, 402 is a plurality of patterns for inter-column adjustment, 403 is a plurality of patterns for inclination adjustment, and there are a plurality of patterns for each adjustment item. To be recorded. For example, in the pattern for bidirectional adjustment, the reference dot is recorded by the forward scanning of the recording head, and the adjustment dot is recorded by the backward scanning. In the pattern for inter-row adjustment, the reference dot is printed by the first nozzle row and the adjustment dot is printed by the second nozzle row in one scan of the print head. The two nozzle rows that are subject to the inter-row adjustment are not limited to two nozzle rows that discharge different ink colors, but two nozzle rows that discharge ink of the same color are shifted to the other world by a half pitch in the nozzle arrangement direction. It may be a nozzle row (ODD row, EVEN row). In the case of tilt adjustment, the reference dots are recorded using the upstream nozzle group of the nozzle row, and the adjustment dots are recorded using the downstream nozzle group (the upstream side and the downstream side may be reversed).

  Further, in the plurality of patterns of each adjustment item, the relative shift amount of the adjustment dot recording position with respect to the reference dot recording position is varied. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the shift amount is changed from “−2” to “+2”, and a plurality of patterns for each adjustment item are recorded. In FIG. 4, the respective shift amounts are recorded on the upper side of the pattern, but may be omitted.

  Here, the shift amount will be described in detail. The shift amount is “+” when the recording position of the adjustment dot is shifted in the scanning direction of the recording head with respect to the recording position of the reference dot, and the direction opposite to the scanning direction. The case of shifting to is expressed as “−”. Further, in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the recording position of the adjustment dot can be shifted in units of 4800 dpi, and the magnitudes of the shift amounts represented by “1” and “2” are 1/4800 inch, 2 / It is 4800 inches. That is, the shift amount represented by “+2” is that the recording position of the adjustment dot is shifted by 2/4800 inch in the scanning progress direction of the recording head with respect to the recording position of the reference dot.

  Next, a method for acquiring an adjustment value for adjusting a recording position deviation based on a plurality of recorded patterns will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given by taking as an example the case of adjusting the recording position deviation between the forward scan (scan in the X1 direction) and the reverse scan (scan in the X2 direction) of the print head.

  FIG. 5A shows the dot arrangement of the reference dots 501 and the adjustment dots 502 in a pattern recorded with a deviation amount “0” when there is no recording position deviation. As shown in the figure, if there is no recording position shift, both the reference dots 501 and the adjustment dots 502 are recorded at ideal positions, and the reference dots 501 and the adjustment dots 502 have an ideal dot arrangement.

  FIGS. 5B and 5C show two patterns of deviation amounts “0” and “+1” as examples of patterns actually recorded. FIG. 5B shows a pattern with a shift amount of “0”. If there is no recording position shift, both the reference dot 501 and the adjustment dot 502 are recorded at ideal positions. However, since the recording position shift has occurred, as shown in the figure, the adjustment dot 502 recorded in the backward scan is shifted to the right by 1/4800 inch relative to the reference dot 501.

  At this time, the pattern of the shift amount “+1” shown in FIG. 5C has an ideal dot arrangement, which is the same as the dot arrangement when there is no print position shift in FIG. This is because the adjustment dot 502 is shifted from the ideal recording position to the right side by 1/4800 inch due to the recording position shift, whereas the recording head is ejected by the printing head so that the recording position is shifted by 1/4800 inch in the backward scanning direction. This is because of the change. In other words, the printing position shift and the change in the ejection timing cancel each other, so that the pattern of the shift amount “+1” has an ideal dot arrangement.

  Therefore, by detecting a pattern having an ideal dot arrangement from a plurality of patterns, it can be obtained as an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position deviation based on the deviation amount when the pattern is recorded. It becomes possible. Based on the acquired adjustment value, the ejection timing of backward scanning can be changed during recording, and the relative positional relationship between the recording position by forward scanning and the recording position by backward scanning can be adjusted.

  In the tilt adjustment, the reference dot 501 is recorded by the forward scanning (X1) using the upstream nozzle group, the recording paper P is conveyed, and then the forward scanning (X1) is performed by using the downstream nozzle group. The adjustment dot 502 is recorded. At this time, a plurality of patterns are formed by changing the relative shift amounts of the reference dots 501 and the adjustment dots 502. For example, when the pattern with the shift amount “+1” has the highest optical density, this pattern has an ideal dot arrangement, and therefore the adjustment dot 502 moves from the ideal print position in the opposite scanning direction due to the print position shift. It is recorded with a shift of 1/4800 inch. Therefore, by adjusting the ejection timing at the time of recording according to this deviation amount, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the image due to the recording position deviation.

  In step S302, the optical density of a plurality of patterns recorded using the pattern reading device 205 is measured. Then, by selecting a pattern having the highest optical density from among a plurality of patterns, the pattern having the above ideal dot arrangement can be detected. It is preferable to measure the density of each pattern by measuring the average density in a relatively wide area and acquiring this as the density of each pattern.

  Further, as described above, the method for acquiring the adjustment value from the optical densities of a plurality of patterns is not limited to the method of selecting the pattern having the highest optical density. For example, a pattern having the highest optical density is selected, and an approximate straight line or approximate curve is obtained by linear approximation or polynomial approximation from the optical densities of a plurality of patterns recorded on the left side of the pattern. Similarly, for a plurality of patterns recorded on the right side, an approximate line or approximate curve is obtained from the optical density by linear approximation or polynomial approximation. Then, an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position deviation may be acquired from the intersection of two straight lines or curves.

  Here, the dot arrangement in which the reference dot 501 and the adjustment dot 502 do not overlap each other is determined as an ideal dot arrangement, but the positional relationship in which the reference dot 501 and the adjustment dot 502 overlap is also an ideal dot arrangement. good. In that case, a pattern having an ideal dot arrangement can be detected by selecting a pattern having the lowest optical density from a plurality of patterns.

  Hereinafter, the characteristics of the adjustment method of the recording position deviation in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  In the conventional method for adjusting the recording position deviation, a process of recording a plurality of patterns in step S301 and performing density measurement in step S302 is performed for each adjustment item, and this process is repeated for all the adjustment items. The adjustment value was acquired. Further, even when the pattern of all adjustment items is recorded in step S301 and the optical density measurement is performed in step S302, the pattern is completed for each adjustment item in step S301.

  On the other hand, the recording position deviation adjusting method of the present embodiment is characterized in that, in step S301, a plurality of adjustment item patterns are recorded simultaneously. Here, “record simultaneously” does not mean that recording of a plurality of adjustment items starts at the same timing and ends at the same timing. Here, among the plurality of adjustment items, the period for recording the pattern of the first adjustment item and the period for recording the pattern of the second adjustment item at least partially overlap.

[Bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment]
First, an example in which the bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded simultaneously will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a recording procedure when the bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded simultaneously.

  In FIG. 4A, 601 schematically shows a first nozzle row for ejecting magenta ink, and 602 schematically shows a second nozzle row for ejecting cyan ink. Each nozzle row is provided with 256 nozzles. ing. In this example, the bidirectional adjustment pattern of the first nozzle row and the inter-row adjustment pattern of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row are recorded.

  In order to record a pattern for bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row, which is the first adjustment item, a nozzle group 603 of 100 nozzles from the upstream end in the transport direction of the magenta row 601 is used. For pattern recording of the adjustment between the magenta column 601 and the cyan column 602, which is the second adjustment item, 100 from the 101st nozzle to the 200th nozzle from the upstream end of the magenta column 601 in the transport direction. A nozzle group 604 composed of nozzles is used. Also for the cyan row 602, the nozzle group 605 at the same position in the transport direction is used. It should be noted that the conveyance direction between the nozzle group 603 for recording the pattern of the first adjustment item and the nozzle groups 604 and 605 for recording the pattern of the second adjustment item may be spaced.

  FIG. 6B illustrates a state after the recording head including the first and second nozzle arrays is scanned in the forward direction (X1 direction) as the first scanning of the recording head. In the first scan, the reference dot of the pattern of the first adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 603 in the magenta row. Further, the reference dot of the pattern of the second adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 604 of the magenta row, and the adjustment dot of the pattern of the second adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 605 of the cyan row.

  A plurality of patterns 606 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta line) are patterns in which only the reference dots are recorded by the magenta line and are being completed. On the other hand, a plurality of patterns 607 for the second adjustment item (adjustment between magenta and cyan columns) are completed with reference dots recorded by magenta columns and adjustment dots recorded by cyan nozzle columns. It is a pattern.

  FIG. 6C illustrates a state after the recording head including the first and second nozzle arrays is scanned in the backward direction (X2 direction) as the second scanning of the recording head. In the second scan, the adjustment dots of the pattern of the first adjustment item are recorded by the reverse scan of the nozzle group 603 in the magenta row.

  A plurality of patterns 608 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row) are completed patterns in which adjustment dots are recorded by the magenta row.

  This completes the recording of the bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns.

  In the conventional method for adjusting the recording position deviation, since the pattern recording is completed for each adjustment item, it is necessary to scan the recording head several times, and it takes a long time to record the pattern. As described above, when printing the patterns for bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment, two scans are required for the bidirectional adjustment pattern, and one scan is required for pattern recording for inter-column adjustment. Had to be scanned three times. In contrast, in the adjustment method of the present embodiment, a plurality of adjustment item patterns are simultaneously recorded. Therefore, even when bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded, the recording head is scanned twice in total. If so, each pattern can be completed. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for pattern recording when adjusting a pattern of a plurality of items.

[Adjustment between two columns]
Next, an example in which two inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded simultaneously will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the recording procedure when recording two inter-column adjustment patterns simultaneously.

  In FIG. 6A, 701 schematically shows a first nozzle row for ejecting magenta ink, 702 a second nozzle row for ejecting cyan ink, and 703 a third nozzle row for ejecting yellow ink. Each nozzle row is provided with 256 nozzles. In this example, the adjustment pattern between the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row and the adjustment pattern between the second nozzle row and the third nozzle row are printed.

  In order to record a pattern for adjusting the alignment between the magenta row and the cyan row, which is the first adjustment item, the nozzle group 704 of 100 nozzles from the end on the upstream side in the carrying direction in the magenta row 701 and the carrying direction in the cyan row 702 A nozzle group 705 of 100 nozzles is used from the upstream end. In addition, for recording a pattern for adjusting the alignment between the cyan and yellow columns, which is the second adjustment item, 100 nozzles from the 101st nozzle to the 200th nozzle from the upstream end of the cyan row 702 in the transport direction. A nozzle group 706 is used. For the yellow row 703, a nozzle group 707 consisting of 100 nozzles from the 101st nozzle to the 200th nozzle from the upstream end of the yellow row 703 is used. It should be noted that the conveyance direction between the nozzle groups 704 and 705 for recording the pattern of the first adjustment item and the nozzle groups 706 and 707 for recording the pattern of the second adjustment item may be spaced.

  FIG. 7B illustrates a state after the recording head including the first, second, and third nozzle arrays is scanned in the forward direction (X1 direction) as the first scanning of the recording head. In the first scan, the reference dot of the pattern of the first adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 704 of the magenta row, and the adjustment dot of the pattern of the first adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 705 of the cyan row. Further, the reference dot of the second adjustment item pattern is recorded using the nozzle group 706 of the cyan row, and the adjustment dot of the pattern of the second adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 707 of the yellow row.

  A plurality of patterns 708 for the first adjustment item (adjustment between the magenta and cyan columns) is a completed pattern in which the reference dots are recorded by the magenta column and the adjustment dots are recorded by the cyan column. ing. The plurality of patterns 709 for the second adjustment item (adjustment between the cyan and yellow columns) are completed patterns in which the reference dots are recorded by the cyan columns and the adjustment dots are recorded by the yellow columns. It has become.

  This completes the recording of the two inter-column adjustment patterns.

  In the conventional method for adjusting the misalignment of recording positions, when two inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded, one scan is required for each inter-column adjustment pattern, and it is necessary to scan the recording head twice in total. It was. On the other hand, in the adjustment method of the present embodiment, a plurality of adjustment item patterns are simultaneously recorded. Therefore, even when two inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded, if the recording head is scanned once, The pattern can be completed. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for pattern recording when adjusting a pattern of a plurality of items.

[Two bidirectional adjustments and inter-column adjustments]
Next, an example of simultaneously recording a total of three patterns of two bidirectional adjustments and inter-column adjustments will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a recording procedure when three patterns of two bidirectional adjustments and inter-column adjustments are simultaneously recorded.

  In FIG. 1A, 801 schematically shows a first nozzle row for ejecting magenta ink, and 802 schematically shows a second nozzle row for ejecting cyan ink. Each nozzle row is provided with 256 nozzles. ing. In this example, the bidirectional adjustment pattern of the first nozzle row, the bidirectional adjustment pattern of the second nozzle row, and the inter-row adjustment pattern of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row are recorded.

  In order to record the pattern for bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row, which is the first adjustment item, a nozzle group 803 of 75 nozzles from the upstream end in the transport direction of the magenta row 801 is used. In addition, a nozzle group 804 of 75 nozzles from the 76th nozzle to the 150th nozzle from the end on the upstream side in the transport direction in the cyan row 802 as the second adjustment item is used. In addition, for the pattern recording of the inter-row adjustment of the magenta row 801 and cyan row 802, which is the third adjustment item, 75 from the 151st nozzle to the 225th nozzle from the upstream end in the transport direction of the magenta row 801. A nozzle group 805 consisting of nozzles is used. Also for the cyan row 802, the nozzle group 806 in the cyan row 802 in the same position as the nozzle group 805 in the transport direction is used. In addition, you may make it leave | separate between the conveyance directions of the nozzle groups 803 and 804 and the nozzle groups 805 and 806.

  FIG. 8B illustrates a state after the recording head including the first and second nozzle arrays is scanned in the forward direction (X1 direction) as the first scanning of the recording head. In the first scan, the reference dot of the pattern of the first adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 803 of the magenta row. Further, the reference dot of the pattern of the second adjustment item is recorded using the cyan row nozzle group 804. Further, the reference dot of the third adjustment item pattern is recorded using the nozzle group 805 of the magenta row, and the adjustment dot of the pattern of the third adjustment item is recorded using the nozzle group 806 of the cyan row.

  In the plurality of patterns 807 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row), only the reference dots are recorded by the magenta row, and the pattern is being completed. In addition, a plurality of patterns 808 for the second adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the cyan column) are patterns in which only the reference dots are recorded by the cyan column and are in the process of being completed. Further, a plurality of patterns 809 for the third adjustment item (adjustment between magenta and cyan columns) are completed with reference dots recorded by the magenta columns and adjustment dots recorded by the cyan nozzle columns. It is a pattern.

  FIG. 8C illustrates a state after the recording head including the first and second nozzle arrays is scanned in the backward direction (X2 direction) as the second scanning of the recording head. In the second scan, the adjustment dots of the pattern of the first adjustment item are recorded using the nozzle group 803 in the magenta row. Also, the adjustment dots of the pattern of the second adjustment item are recorded using the nozzle group 804 in the cyan row.

  The plurality of patterns 810 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row) are completed patterns in which adjustment dots are recorded by the magenta row. The plurality of patterns 811 for the second adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the cyan column) is a completed pattern in which adjustment dots are recorded by the cyan column.

  This completes the recording of the two bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns.

  In the conventional method for adjusting the recording position deviation, as described above, when two bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded, the two bidirectional adjustment patterns require four scans, and the inter-column adjustment is performed. Since this pattern recording requires one scan, it is necessary to scan the recording head five times in total. On the other hand, in the adjustment method of the present embodiment, a plurality of adjustment item patterns are recorded simultaneously. Therefore, even when two bidirectional adjustment and inter-column adjustment patterns are recorded, the recording head is used twice in total. Each pattern can be completed by scanning. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for pattern recording when adjusting a pattern of a plurality of items.

[Bidirectional adjustment and tilt adjustment]
Next, an example in which patterns for bidirectional adjustment and tilt adjustment are recorded will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a recording procedure when the patterns of bidirectional adjustment and inclination adjustment are recorded simultaneously.

  In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 901 schematically shows a first nozzle row for ejecting magenta ink, and the first nozzle row is provided with 256 nozzles. In this example, the bidirectional adjustment pattern and the inclination adjustment pattern of the first nozzle row are recorded.

  In order to record the pattern for bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row, which is the first adjustment item, the nozzle group 902 of 100 nozzles from the 79th nozzle to the 178th nozzle from the upstream end in the transport direction in the magenta row 901 is used. . In addition, for the tilt adjustment pattern recording that is the second adjustment item, the nozzle group 903 having 50 nozzles from the upstream side in the transport direction and the nozzle group 904 having 50 nozzles from the downstream side in the transport direction are used.

  FIG. 9B illustrates a state after the recording head including the first nozzle row is scanned in the forward direction (X1 direction) as the first scanning of the recording head. In the first scan, the reference dot of the pattern of the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment) is recorded using the nozzle group 903 in the magenta row. Further, the nozzle group 902 of the magenta row is used to record the reference dot of the pattern of the second adjustment item. In the plurality of patterns 905 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row), only the reference dots are recorded by the magenta row, and the pattern is being completed. Also, the plurality of patterns 906 for the second adjustment item (tilt adjustment) are also patterns in the middle of completion, in which only the reference dots are recorded by the magenta row.

  FIG. 9C illustrates a state after the recording head including the first nozzle row is scanned in the backward direction (X2 direction) as the second scanning of the recording head. Note that the recording paper P is not transported in the transport direction (Y direction) from the end of the first scan to the start of the second scan. The adjustment dots of the pattern of the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment) are recorded using the nozzle group 903 of the magenta row. The plurality of patterns 907 for the first adjustment item (bidirectional adjustment of the magenta row) are completed patterns in which adjustment dots are recorded by the magenta row.

  FIG. 9D illustrates a state after the recording head including the first nozzle row is scanned in the forward direction (X1 direction) as the third scanning of the recording head. Note that the recording paper P is conveyed by 216 nozzles in this bi-directional direction (Y direction) from the end of the second scan to the start of the third scan. In the third scan, the adjustment dots of the pattern of the second adjustment item (tilt adjustment) are recorded using the nozzle group 904 in the magenta row. In the plurality of patterns 910 for the second adjustment item (tilt adjustment), adjustment dots are recorded by a magenta row, and a completed pattern is obtained.

  In the conventional recording position deviation adjustment method, as described above, when the bidirectional adjustment and tilt adjustment patterns are recorded, two scans are required for the bidirectional adjustment pattern, and two scans are performed for the tilt adjustment pattern recording. Therefore, it was necessary to scan the recording head four times in total. In contrast, in the adjustment method of the present embodiment, a plurality of adjustment item patterns are recorded simultaneously, so that even when bidirectional adjustment and tilt adjustment patterns are recorded, the recording head can be scanned three times in total. Each pattern can be completed. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for pattern recording when adjusting a pattern of a plurality of items.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time required to record a pattern for adjusting the recording position deviation by simultaneously recording a plurality of adjustment item patterns. .

  Note that combinations of adjustment items to which the present embodiment is applied are not limited to the above-described combinations, and the present embodiment can be applied to other various combinations.

  Further, as is clear from the above description, as the number of adjustment items to be recorded simultaneously increases, the time required for pattern recording can be shortened as compared with the conventional method. However, the more adjustment items to be recorded at the same time, the smaller the size in the pattern transport direction. For this reason, when there is an attachment error of the optical sensor, the optical sensor measures the optical density of a portion other than the pattern, so that there is a problem that an accurate adjustment value cannot be acquired.

  The present embodiment can also be applied to a recording apparatus that does not include an optical sensor. In this case, it is preferable that the user selects a pattern with the highest density from among a plurality of patterns and obtains information on optical density by inputting the pattern information from the operation unit. In this configuration, if the pattern size is too small, there arises a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to recognize the density difference among the plurality of patterns.

  Therefore, in step S301, it is preferable that the number of adjustment items recorded simultaneously is set so that the pattern size is not too small in consideration of the above-described circumstances.

  Further, in the present embodiment, there is nothing that requires that all adjustment items be recorded simultaneously with any other adjustment item. That is, it is only necessary that at least some of the adjustment items are recorded simultaneously.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and it demonstrates focusing on the characteristic of this embodiment.

  The feature of this embodiment is that the combination and the number of adjustment items to be recorded simultaneously are changed according to the state of the pattern reading device (optical sensor), a user input instruction, and the like. That is, in the first embodiment, the combination and the number of adjustment items to be recorded at the same time are determined in advance. In this embodiment, every time a command for recording a pattern of a recording position deviation is generated, recording is performed simultaneously. Determine the combination and number of adjustment items.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow for determining the number of adjustment items to be recorded simultaneously in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the pattern size is set in step S1001. Here, the size in the transport direction per pattern is set. The details of this size setting method will be described later. For example, the size setting method is determined according to whether or not a correction process for correcting an attachment error of the optical sensor is performed as the state of the optical sensor, or an input instruction from the user.

Next, in step S1002, the following (Formula 1) is used to calculate the number of adjustment items (num) to be recorded simultaneously.
num = Int (N / n) (Formula 1)
However, Int (a / b) is an integer part obtained by dividing a by b, N is the number of nozzles in the nozzle row, and n is the size in the transport direction per pattern.

  In step S1003, a pattern for recording position deviation is recorded according to the number of adjustment items for simultaneous recording calculated in step S1002. In this step, the pattern reading device 205 is used to measure the optical density of the recorded pattern.

  Subsequently, in step S1004, it is determined whether or not acquisition of adjustment values has been completed for all adjustment items. In this step, if it is determined that the adjustment value acquisition of all the adjustment items has been completed, the adjustment value of each adjustment item is stored in the adjustment value storage memory 202 in step S1005, and the ejection timing is based on the adjustment value in the subsequent recording. Is changed.

  If it is determined in step S1004 that acquisition of adjustment values has not been completed for all adjustment items, the process returns to step S1003, and pattern recording and density reading are performed for adjustment items for which adjustment value acquisition has not been completed. To obtain the adjustment value.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of adjustment items to be recorded at the same time is determined each time processing for obtaining an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position deviation is executed. For example, even when two bidirectional adjustments and inter-column adjustments are set to be recorded at the same time as a default, only the two bidirectional adjustments are set to be recorded simultaneously by the flow shown in FIG. A correction process is performed. Thereby, it is possible to record a pattern for recording position deviation in accordance with the state of the optical sensor or the user's preference.

  Hereinafter, a pattern size setting method in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the pattern size is set according to whether or not correction processing for correcting an attachment error of the optical sensor is performed as the state of the optical sensor. Further, when the density measurement of the pattern of each adjustment item is performed by the user's visual observation, the pattern size is determined according to the user's input instruction.

  First, a method for setting a pattern size based on whether or not correction processing for correcting an attachment error of an optical sensor is performed will be described.

  First, the correction process of the optical sensor mounting error will be described. First, a pattern is recorded on the recording paper P as the first process.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the patterns recorded on the recording paper P. In the figure, five patterns 1101 recorded on the recording paper P are patterns whose vertical and horizontal sizes correspond to 64 dots, respectively, and whose recording duty is, for example, 50%. Further, the five patterns 1101 are arranged so as to be shifted by 5 dots in the transport direction (Y direction).

  Next, the carriage mounted with the optical sensor is scanned to measure the optical density of the five patterns 1101 recorded earlier. If there is no error in mounting the optical sensor, only the inside of the pattern can be read when the optical sensor reads the center pattern. On the other hand, since the patterns other than the center are arranged so as to be shifted in the transport direction with respect to the center pattern, not only the pattern but also the portion of the recording paper is read. Therefore, when there is no error in mounting the optical sensor, the central pattern that is read only within the pattern is measured as the pattern having the highest density.

  If a pattern formed by shifting by 10 dots in the upstream direction of the transport direction is detected as the pattern having the highest optical density, the mounting position of the optical sensor may be shifted by 10 dots upward in the broadcasting direction. I can judge. Therefore, in consideration of the error of the mounting position of the optical sensor, processing such as shifting the use range of the nozzles used for pattern recording or changing the conveyance amount of the recording paper P is performed.

  As described above, the error correction of the mounting position of the optical sensor can reduce the error of the mounting position and improve the pattern reading accuracy.

  Next, a method for setting the pattern size according to whether or not the above correction processing is performed will be described.

  By performing the above-described correction processing, it is possible to reduce an error in the mounting position of the optical sensor, and it is possible to acquire an adjustment value with high accuracy from the adjustment pattern for recording position deviation. Therefore, it is preferable to perform a process of acquiring an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position deviation after performing a correction process for correcting the error of the attachment position. However, it is also conceivable that the recording position deviation pattern is recorded and the pattern density measurement is performed in a state where the correction processing is not performed, such as when the user does not perform the above-described correction processing. Therefore, the recording position deviation pattern having a large size is recorded in advance so that the density of the pattern can be measured with relatively high accuracy even if the error of the mounting position of the optical sensor is not corrected.

  However, if the error correction of the attachment position is performed, the adjustment value can be obtained with high accuracy even if the recording position deviation pattern is not recorded as large as the default size. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pattern size for recording position deviation is set so as to reduce the size when correction is performed according to whether or not the error correction processing of the optical sensor mounting position is performed. .

  If the recording apparatus is not provided with an optical sensor, a pattern having the highest or lowest density is selected from a plurality of patterns by visual observation by the user. However, if the pattern size is too small, it is difficult to recognize the density difference between the plurality of patterns. Therefore, it is preferable that the pattern size can be changed according to the user. In that case, a configuration may be adopted in which the user can set information regarding the pattern size by using an operation unit provided in the host device (PC or the like) or the recording apparatus main body.

  In the above description, in step S1001, the size of each pattern in the main scanning direction may not be changed as a fixed size, or may be changed in accordance with the change in size in the transport direction.

1 is an external perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. 1 is a control configuration diagram of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. The figure which shows the adjustment value acquisition flow for acquiring the adjustment value of a recording position shift. The figure explaining the layout of the pattern of several adjustment items. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining dot arrangement of a recording position shift pattern. The figure explaining the procedure which records the pattern for bidirectional | two-way adjustment, and the pattern for inter-column adjustment simultaneously. The figure explaining the procedure which records the pattern for adjustment between two rows simultaneously. The figure explaining the layout of the reference pattern and adjustment pattern in this embodiment. The figure explaining the procedure of recording two bidirectional adjustment patterns and inter-column adjustment patterns simultaneously. The figure explaining the procedure which records the pattern for bidirectional | two-way adjustment, and the pattern for inclination adjustment simultaneously. The figure which shows the flow which determines the adjustment item number recorded simultaneously. The figure explaining the method of correct | amending the attachment error of an optical sensor.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording Device 3 Recording Head 501 Reference Dot 502 Adjustment Dot

Claims (6)

A recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording head for discharging ink,
Control means for causing the recording head to record a pattern for adjusting the recording position deviation for each of a plurality of types of recording position deviations caused by a combination of different recording operations;
Measuring means for measuring the optical characteristics of each of the patterns for adjusting the recorded displacement of the plurality of types of recording positions;
Obtaining means for obtaining an adjustment value for adjusting the deviation of the recording position for each of the plural kinds of deviations of the recording position, based on the optical characteristics measured by the measuring means;
The control unit records a pattern for adjusting a shift of the plurality of types of recording positions by partially overlapping a period of pattern recording. A recording position adjusting method for adjusting a recording position of a recording head for discharging ink,
For each of a plurality of types of recording position shifts caused by a combination of different recording operations, a step of recording a pattern for adjusting the recording position shift by the recording head;
Measuring the optical characteristics of each of the patterns for adjusting the deviation of the recorded plural types of recording positions;
Obtaining an adjustment value for adjusting a recording position shift with respect to each of the plurality of types of recording position shifts based on the measured optical characteristics;
A recording position adjusting method comprising: recording a pattern for adjusting a shift of the plurality of types of recording positions by partially overlapping a period for recording the pattern. A step of setting a size of the pattern, and a step of determining a type of shift in a recording position of a pattern to be recorded with a period partially overlapped based on the set size of the pattern. The recording position adjusting method according to claim 2.   4. The recording position adjusting method according to claim 2, wherein the misalignment of the plurality of types of recording positions includes a misalignment between a forward scanning recording position and a backward scanning recording position of the recording head.   5. The recording position adjusting method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of types of recording position shifts include a recording position shift of different nozzle arrays of the recording head.   6. The recording position adjusting method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of types of recording position shifts include a recording position shift caused by an inclination of the recording head.

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