JP2012254638A - Liquid ejecting apparatus, liquid ejection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently transmit application data for defining a necessary part of a drive signal applied to an element.SOLUTION: This liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a drive signal generation part; a basic application data transmission part; an application data generation part; and a drive signal application part. The drive signal generation part generates a drive signal for driving an element performing operation for ejecting liquid. The basic application data transmission part transmits, in parallel to one another, basic application data used as a base of application data for defining a necessary part of the drive signal applied to the element and each having a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits. The application data generation part generates application data having types smaller than the predetermined types and each having a number of bits larger than the predetermined number of bits based on the basic application data. The drive signal application part applies the necessary part of the drive signal to the element based on the application data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus, a liquid ejection method, and a program.

  There are various types of liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquid onto an object, such as a printing apparatus, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, and a staining apparatus. Some ink jet printers (hereinafter also simply referred to as printers) serving as printing apparatuses eject a plurality of types of ink having different amounts. In this printer, for example, gradation data indicating the size of dots is translated into print data for selecting a plurality of drive pulses included in the drive signal. Then, a drive pulse is selected based on the print data, and a plurality of types of ink having different amounts are ejected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-81013

  In the printer described above, print data (program data) needs to be transferred, but the relationship between the type of ink to be ejected and the print data has been fixed. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time to transmit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently transmit application data for determining a necessary portion of a drive signal applied to an element.

  The main invention for achieving the object is as follows: (A) a drive signal generating unit that generates a drive signal for driving an element that operates to discharge liquid; and (B) the drive signal applied to the element. A base application data transmitting unit that transmits base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits in parallel, which is a base application data that is a base of application data for determining a necessary portion of the data; An application data generation unit that generates the application data having a number smaller than the predetermined type and a larger number of bits than the predetermined number of bits; and (D) a necessary portion of the drive signal based on the application data. A liquid ejection apparatus having a drive signal application unit to be applied to the element.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of a computer and a printer. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structure of a head unit. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the head. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of nozzles included in the head. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a part of the flexible cable. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a signal transmitted by a flexible cable for each core wire. It is a figure which illustrates typically an 8th transfer signal from a 1st transfer signal. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the whole structure of a head control part. It is a figure explaining the structure of the shift register group which a head control part has, and a control logic. It is a figure explaining the specific structural example of a control logic. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of a data selection part. It is a figure explaining the structure of a 1st data selection part-an 8th data selection part. It is a figure explaining the structure of a q0 selection circuit. It is a figure explaining the content of designation | designated data. It is a figure explaining the structure of a signal application part. It is a figure explaining the structure of a decoder. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of printing. It is a figure explaining a drive signal. FIG. 19A is a diagram for explaining the first waveform portion selection data. FIG. 19B is a diagram for describing the second waveform portion selection data. FIG. 19C is a diagram for explaining the third waveform portion selection data. FIG. 19D is a diagram for describing fourth waveform portion selection data. It is a figure explaining the transmission timing of each transfer signal. It is a figure explaining the specific structure of the control logic in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the data selection part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the 1st data selection part-8th data selection part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the signal application part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the decoder in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the drive signal in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 27A is a diagram for describing first waveform portion selection data. FIG. 27B is a diagram for explaining the second waveform portion selection data. FIG. 27C is a diagram for describing the third waveform portion selection data. FIG. 27D is a diagram for describing the fourth waveform portion selection data. FIG. 28A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between nozzle rows and ink in the first print mode. FIG. 28B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between nozzle rows and ink in the second print mode.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

That is, (A) a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal for driving an element that performs an operation for discharging liquid, and (B) application data for determining a necessary part of the drive signal applied to the element A base application data transmission unit for transmitting base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits in parallel, which is a base application data, and (C) a type less than the predetermined type based on the base application data An application data generation unit that generates the application data having a number of bits larger than the predetermined number of bits; and (D) a drive signal application unit that applies a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the application data. And a liquid ejection device having
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the base application data has more types than the application data, and the number of bits per type is reduced. For this reason, the transmission of the base application data can be completed in a shorter time than the transmission of the application data itself in parallel. As a result, application data can be transmitted efficiently.

The liquid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of nozzle groups each having a plurality of nozzles from which liquid is ejected by the operation of the element, wherein the plurality of nozzle groups each define a liquid to be ejected. The unit transmits in parallel a predetermined type of base application data corresponding to the nozzle group, the drive signal application unit shares some application data for at least two nozzle groups, and a necessary part of the drive signal is A configuration to be applied to the element is preferable.
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, since certain application data is shared for at least two nozzle groups, it is possible to effectively use less types of application data than the nozzle groups.

The liquid ejection apparatus preferably includes an application data selection unit that selects the application data generated by the application data generation unit according to the liquid to be ejected and outputs the selection to the drive signal application unit.
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the relationship between the necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element and the ejection amount of the liquid can be changed for each liquid by the application data selection unit.

In this liquid ejection apparatus, the application data selection unit stores selection data for selecting the application data, and rewritable selection data corresponding to the type of liquid to be ejected. The structure which has a part is preferable.
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the application data can be selected by rewriting the storage content of the selection data storage unit.

In this liquid ejection apparatus, it is preferable that the application data generation unit generate the application data by combining a plurality of types of the base application data.
According to such a liquid ejection apparatus, it is possible to easily generate application data.

In this liquid ejection apparatus, the application data generation unit includes an application data storage unit that stores the application data, and stores the base application data in a predetermined region of the application data storage unit. A configuration in which a plurality of types of group application data are combined is preferable.
According to such a liquid ejection apparatus, it is possible to easily generate application data.

The liquid ejection apparatus includes a base application data storage unit that stores a predetermined type of the base application data transmitted by the base application data transmission unit, and the application data generation unit includes the base application data storage unit. Preferably, the base application data stored in is stored in a predetermined area of the application data storage unit.
According to such a liquid ejection apparatus, since the application data storage unit and the base application data storage unit are independent, the liquid ejection device is used in the next period during the liquid ejection control in a certain period. Selection data and discharge amount data can be transmitted.

In this liquid ejection apparatus, the application data includes a plurality of types of sub-application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element for each ejection amount of the liquid, and the drive signal application The unit selects sub application data corresponding to the discharge amount data from discharge amount data indicating the discharge amount of the liquid for each of the plurality of elements, and a necessary portion of the drive signal based on the selected sub application data Is preferably applied to the element.
According to such a liquid discharge apparatus, fine control can be performed regarding the discharge amount of the liquid.

  In this liquid ejection apparatus, the drive signal generation unit generates a plurality of the drive signals in a certain period, and the drive signal application unit generates a plurality of the drive signals based on the selected application data. A configuration in which a necessary portion of the selected drive signal is applied to the element is preferable.

  According to such a liquid discharge apparatus, the number of necessary portions of the drive signal can be increased even during a limited time, and fine control can be performed regarding the liquid discharge amount.

In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid is a printing ink.
According to such a liquid ejection apparatus, it is possible to efficiently print an image or the like.

In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the element is preferably a piezo element.
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, since the piezo element having good response to the drive signal is used, the liquid ejection amount can be controlled with high accuracy.

Moreover, the following liquid discharge apparatus can also be realized.
That is, (A) a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal for driving an element that performs an operation for ejecting liquid, the drive signal generation unit generating a plurality of the drive signals in a certain period; B) a nozzle group having a plurality of nozzles from which liquid is ejected by the operation of the element, and a plurality of nozzle groups in which the liquid to be ejected is respectively defined; and (C) the drive signal applied to the element A base application data transmitting unit that transmits base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits corresponding to the nozzle group in parallel, which is a base application data serving as a base of application data for determining a necessary portion; and (D) the base A base application data storage unit for storing the predetermined type of base application data transmitted by the application data transmission unit; and (E) an application data storage unit for storing the application data. By storing the base application data stored in the additional data storage unit in a predetermined area of the application data storage unit, a plurality of types of the base application data are combined, thereby reducing the number of types less than the predetermined type. The application data having a number of bits greater than the predetermined number of bits and having a plurality of types of sub-application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element for each liquid ejection amount And (F) a selection data storage unit that rewrites selection data for selecting the application data and corresponding to the type of the liquid to be ejected. And an application data selection unit that selects the application data generated by the application data generation unit according to the liquid to be ejected and outputs the selected application data to the drive signal application unit. (G) a drive signal application unit for applying a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the selected application data, sharing certain application data for at least two of the nozzle groups, From the discharge amount data indicating the discharge amount for each of the plurality of elements, sub application data corresponding to the discharge amount data is selected, and the drive signal selected from the plurality of drive signals based on the selected sub application data is selected. (H) The liquid is a printing ink, and (I) the element is a piezo element, thereby realizing a liquid ejecting apparatus. You can also
According to such a liquid ejecting apparatus, almost all the effects described above can be achieved, so that the object of the present invention can be achieved most effectively.

Further, the following liquid discharge method can be realized.
That is, in the liquid discharge method, (A) generating a drive signal for driving an element that operates to discharge liquid, and (B) determining a necessary part of the drive signal applied to the element. Base application data that is the basis of the application data of the base application data, and transmitting the base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits in parallel; (C) based on the base application data, and having a type less than the predetermined type A liquid ejection method for generating the application data having a number of bits larger than the predetermined number of bits and (D) applying a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the application data can be realized. .

In addition, the following program can be realized.
That is, it is a program for controlling the liquid ejection apparatus, and (A) causes the drive signal generation unit to generate a drive signal for driving an element that performs an operation for ejecting liquid, and (B) applies to the element. (C) causing base application data transmitting unit to transmit base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits, which is a base of application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal to be transmitted; Based on the base application data, causing the application data generation unit to generate the application data having a number smaller than the predetermined type and greater than the predetermined number of bits, (D) based on the application data Thus, it is possible to realize a program that causes the liquid ejection apparatus to apply a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element by the drive signal application unit.

=== First Embodiment ===
<About liquid ejection device>
There are various types of liquid ejecting apparatuses such as a printing apparatus, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, a display manufacturing apparatus, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus, and it is difficult to describe all of them. Therefore, in this specification, an ink jet printer and a printing system having the printer will be described as an example. The printing system is a system having at least a printing apparatus and a printing control apparatus that controls the operation of the printing apparatus, and corresponds to one form of a liquid ejection system having a liquid ejection apparatus and an ejection control apparatus. To do.

=== Configuration of Printing System 100 ===
First, the printing apparatus will be described together with the printing system 100. Here, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing system 100. The illustrated printing system 100 includes a printer 1 as a printing apparatus and a computer 110 as a printing control apparatus. Specifically, the printing system 100 includes a printer 1, a computer 110, a display device 120, an input device 130, and a recording / reproducing device 140.

  The printer 1 prints an image on a medium such as paper, cloth, or film by ejecting printing liquid ink (hereinafter also referred to as ink). The ink corresponds to a liquid, and the medium corresponds to an object to which the liquid is ejected. In the following description, a sheet S (see FIG. 3A), which is a typical medium, will be described as an example. The computer 110 is communicably connected to the printer 1. In order to cause the printer 1 to print an image, the computer 110 outputs print data corresponding to the image to the printer 1. Computer programs such as application programs and printer drivers are installed in the computer 110. The display device 120 has a display. The input device 130 is a keyboard 131 or a mouse 132, for example. The recording / reproducing device 140 is, for example, a flexible disk drive device 141 or a CD-ROM drive device 142.

=== Computer 110 ===
<Configuration of Computer 110>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the computer 110 and the printer 1. First, the configuration of the computer 110 will be briefly described. The computer 110 includes the recording / reproducing device 140 and the host-side controller 111 described above. The recording / reproducing apparatus 140 is communicably connected to the host-side controller 111, and is attached to the housing of the computer 110, for example. The host-side controller 111 performs various controls in the computer 110, and the display device 120 and the input device 130 described above are also connected to be communicable. The host-side controller 111 includes an interface unit 112, a CPU 113, and a memory 114. The interface unit 112 exchanges data with the printer 1. The CPU 113 is an arithmetic processing unit for performing overall control of the computer 110. The memory 114 is used to secure an area for storing a computer program used by the CPU 113, a work area, and the like, and includes a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, a magnetic disk device, and the like. As described above, computer programs stored in the memory 114 include application programs and printer drivers. The CPU 113 performs various controls according to the computer program stored in the memory 114.

  The print data is data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 1 and includes various command data and dot formation data SI (SI1 to SI8, see FIG. 9). The command data is data for instructing the printer 1 to execute a specific operation. The command data includes, for example, command data for instructing paper feed, command data for indicating the carry amount, and command data for instructing paper discharge. The dot formation data SI is data relating to dots formed on the paper S (data such as dot color and size) and is determined for each unit area.

  Here, the unit area refers to a rectangular area virtually defined on a medium such as the paper S, and the size and shape are determined according to the print resolution. The dot formation data SI in the present embodiment indicates the size of dots. The dot size is determined by the amount of ink ejected. Further, ink is ejected for each nozzle Nz of the head 41, in other words, for each piezo element 417 (see FIG. 5A). For this reason, the dot formation data SI corresponds to the discharge amount data indicating the ink discharge amount for each of the plurality of piezo elements 417. The nozzle Nz and the piezo element 417 will be described in detail later.

  In the printer 1, the dot formation data SI is composed of 2-bit data. The dot formation data SI includes data [00] corresponding to no dot, data [01] corresponding to formation of small dots, data [10] corresponding to formation of medium dots, and formation of large dots. There is data [11] corresponding to. Here, data [00] is data indicating non-ejection of ink, and data [01] is data indicating ejection of a small amount of ink corresponding to a small dot. Data [10] is data indicating the ejection of a medium amount of ink corresponding to a medium dot, and data [11] is data indicating the ejection of a large amount of ink corresponding to a large dot.

=== Printer 1 ===
<About the configuration of the printer 1>
Next, the configuration of the printer 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the configuration of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. In the following description, FIG. 2 is also referred to.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printer 1 includes a paper transport mechanism 20, a carriage moving mechanism 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, a printer-side controller 60, and a drive signal generation circuit 70. In the present embodiment, the printer-side controller 60 and the drive signal generation circuit 70 are provided on a common controller board CTR. The head unit 40 includes a head controller HC and a head 41. Then, a head control signal (described later) transmitted from the printer-side controller 60 to the head unit 40 and the drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 70 are transmitted via the flexible cable FC shown in FIG. 3A to the head. Transmitted to the unit 40.

  In the printer 1, the control target unit, that is, the paper transport mechanism 20, the carriage moving mechanism 30, the head unit 40 (head control unit HC, head 41), and the drive signal generation circuit 70 are controlled by the printer-side controller 60. As a result, the printer-side controller 60 prints an image on the paper S based on the print data received from the computer 110. Each detector in the detector group 50 monitors the status in the printer 1. Then, the printer-side controller 60 that has received the detection results from each detector controls the control target unit based on the detection results.

<Regarding the paper transport mechanism 20>
The paper transport mechanism 20 corresponds to a medium transport unit that transports a medium. The paper transport mechanism 20 feeds the paper S as a medium to a printable position, or transports the paper S by a predetermined transport amount in the transport direction. This transport direction is a direction that intersects the carriage movement direction described below. 3A and 3B, the paper transport mechanism 20 includes a paper feed roller 21, a transport motor 22, a transport roller 23, a platen 24, and a paper discharge roller 25. The paper feed roller 21 is a roller for transporting the paper S inserted in the paper insertion slot. The transport motor 22 generates power for transporting the paper S in the transport direction. The transport roller 23 is a roller for transporting the paper S sent by the paper feed roller 21 to a printable area. The platen 24 is a member that supports the paper S being printed from the back side of the paper S. The paper discharge roller 25 is a roller for carrying the paper S that has been printed.

<About the carriage moving mechanism 30>
The carriage moving mechanism 30 is for moving the carriage CR to which the head unit 40 is attached in the carriage moving direction. The carriage moving mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor 31, a guide shaft 32, a timing belt 33, a drive pulley 34, and an idler pulley 35.

  The carriage motor 31 generates power for moving the carriage CR. A drive pulley 34 is attached to the rotation shaft of the carriage motor 31. The drive pulley 34 is disposed on one end side in the carriage movement direction. An idler pulley 35 is disposed on the other end side in the carriage movement direction opposite to the drive pulley 34. The timing belt 33 is connected to the carriage CR and is spanned between a drive pulley 34 and an idler pulley 35. The guide shaft 32 supports the carriage CR in a movable state. The guide shaft 32 is attached along the carriage movement direction. Accordingly, when the carriage motor 31 operates, the carriage CR moves along the guide shaft 32 in the carriage movement direction. This carriage movement direction includes a movement direction from one side to the other side and a movement direction from the other side to the one side.

  Since the head unit 40 includes the head 41, the carriage movement direction corresponds to the head movement direction in which the head 41 moves. The carriage moving mechanism 30 corresponds to a head moving unit that moves the head 41 in a predetermined direction. The head 41 has a nozzle Nz. Therefore, the head movement direction can also be referred to as the nozzle movement direction, and the carriage movement mechanism 30 can also be referred to as the nozzle movement unit.

  In the printer 1, the carriage CR and parts attached to the carriage CR (hereinafter also referred to as a carriage CR) move, and other parts do not move. For this reason, the carriage CR and the like can also be expressed as a movable part. The portion excluding the carriage CR and the like may be expressed as a printer main body (corresponding to a liquid discharge apparatus main body) for convenience.

<About the head unit 40>
Next, the head unit 40 will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the head unit 40. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the head 41. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the nozzles Nz included in the head 41.

  The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink toward the paper S. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the head unit 40 includes a head 41, a head controller HC, and a head-side wiring member 42. The head unit 40 is attached to the carriage CR and is moved together with the carriage CR. The head 41 of the head unit 40 is disposed on the lower surface of the head case 43 that is the surface facing the medium. The head controller HC is disposed inside the head case 43 in a state of being provided on the head-side wiring member 42. The head-side wiring member 42 has a plurality of wirings sandwiched between resin films and has flexibility. The head side wiring member 42 and the flexible cable FC described above are electrically connected. This electrical connection is made, for example, via a relay board (not shown). This relay board has a connector for the head side wiring member 42, a connector for the flexible cable FC, and a board side wiring for electrically connecting these connectors to each other, and is attached to the carriage CR. .

  For convenience of explanation, the configuration of the head 41 will be described here, and the configuration of the head controller HC will be described later. The head 41 shown in FIG. 5A includes a flow path unit 41A and an actuator unit 41B. The flow path unit 41A includes a nozzle plate 411 provided with a nozzle Nz, a storage chamber forming substrate 412 in which an opening serving as an ink storage chamber 412a is formed, and a supply port forming substrate 413 in which an ink supply port 413a is formed. Have The actuator unit 41B has a pressure chamber forming substrate 414 in which an opening to be a pressure chamber 414a is formed, a vibration plate 415 that partitions a part of the pressure chamber 414a, and an opening to be a supply side communication port 416a. It has a lid member 416 and a piezo element 417 formed on the surface of the diaphragm 415. In the head 41, a series of flow paths from the ink storage chamber 412a to the nozzle Nz through the pressure chamber 414a is formed. In use, this flow path is filled with ink, and by deforming the piezo element 417, ink can be ejected from the corresponding nozzle Nz. Therefore, the piezo element 417 corresponds to an element that operates to discharge ink as a liquid. The piezoelectric element 417 is provided for each nozzle Nz as a liquid discharge port. Such a piezo element 417 has high responsiveness to the drive signal COM, so that the ink ejection amount can be controlled with high accuracy.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the head 41, the nozzles Nz are arranged in the transport direction at a predetermined pitch, and constitute a nozzle row (first nozzle row N1 to eighth nozzle row N8). Such nozzle rows N1 to N8 correspond to a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles Nz. In the head 41, the type of ink to be ejected can be determined for each nozzle row. That is, the type of liquid to be ejected can be determined for each nozzle group.

  These nozzle rows N1 to N8 are provided in a plurality of rows at different positions in the carriage movement direction. The illustrated head 41 has eight nozzle rows. Specifically, in order from the left side of FIG. 5B, a first nozzle row N1 and a second nozzle row N2 that discharge black ink, a third nozzle row N3 that discharges cyan ink, and a fourth nozzle that discharges magenta ink. Row N4, fifth nozzle row N5 that discharges light cyan ink, sixth nozzle row N6 that discharges light magenta ink, seventh nozzle row N7 that discharges yellow ink, and eighth nozzle row that discharges red ink N8.

  Each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8 has a predetermined number (for example, 96) of nozzles Nz arranged at an interval corresponding to 180 dpi. In the first nozzle row N1, the third nozzle row N3, the sixth nozzle row N6, and the eighth nozzle row N8 (also referred to as a first nozzle row group for convenience), the positions of the nozzles Nz in the transport direction are the same. It's all there. Similarly, the second nozzle row N2, the fourth nozzle row N4, the fifth nozzle row N5, and the seventh nozzle row N7 (also referred to as a second nozzle row group for convenience) are also positions in the transport direction of the nozzles Nz. Is complete. In addition, in the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group, the formation positions of the nozzles Nz are shifted by a half pitch in the transport direction. Here, since both the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row eject black ink, the nozzles Nz that eject black ink are arranged at an interval corresponding to 360 dpi in the transport direction.

<Regarding the detector group 50>
The detector group 50 is for monitoring the status of the printer 1. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52, a paper detector 53, a paper width detector 54, and the like. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage CR (head 41, nozzle Nz) in the carriage movement direction. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 23. The paper detector 53 is for detecting the leading end position of the paper S to be printed. The paper width detector 54 is for detecting the width of the paper S to be printed.

<About the printer-side controller 60>
The printer-side controller 60 controls the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer-side controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a control unit 64. The interface unit 61 exchanges data with the computer 110 which is an external device. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for performing overall control of the printer 1. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and is configured by a storage element such as a RAM, an EEPROM, or a ROM. Then, the CPU 62 controls each control target unit. For example, the CPU 62 controls the paper transport mechanism 20 and the carriage moving mechanism 30 via the control unit 64. Further, the CPU 62 outputs a head control signal for controlling the operation of the head 41 to the head controller HC, and outputs a control signal for generating the drive signal COM to the drive signal generation circuit 70. Such an operation of the CPU 62 is performed according to a computer program stored in the memory 63. For this reason, this computer program has a code for controlling each control object part.

<About the drive signal generation circuit 70>
The drive signal generation circuit 70 generates a drive signal COM for operating the piezo element 417. As described above, the piezo element 417 is an element that operates to discharge liquid. Therefore, the drive signal generation circuit 70 corresponds to a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal for driving this element. In the printer 1, the drive signal generation circuit 70 generates a drive signal COM based on a control signal from the printer-side controller 60. The control signal from the printer-side controller 60 is, for example, a voltage instruction signal that instructs an output voltage. This voltage instruction signal represents an output voltage with a digital value of 10 bits, for example. Then, the drive signal generation circuit 70 outputs an analog signal having a voltage value corresponding to the voltage instruction signal. For this reason, the voltage instruction signal is also called a DAC value. The drive signal generation circuit 70 also has a current amplifier circuit (not shown). This current amplification circuit amplifies the current of the output analog signal. As a result, even if a large number of piezoelectric elements 417 are simultaneously turned on and a large current flows, it is possible to prevent a shortage of current.

  Next, the drive signal COM will be described. Since details of the drive signal COM will be described later, an outline of the drive signal COM will be described here. The drive signal COM used in the printer 1 has a waveform shown in FIG. 18, for example. This drive signal COM is composed of a plurality of waveform portions (first waveform portion SS1 to eighth waveform portion SS8). Each waveform portion has drive pulses (first drive pulse PS1 to eighth drive pulse PS8) for operating the piezo element 417. Here, the drive pulse includes an ejection pulse for ejecting ink from the nozzle Nz and a micro-vibration pulse for micro-vibrating the meniscus (the free surface of the ink exposed at the nozzle Nz). The illustrated drive signal COM has eight waveform portions, and these waveform portions are one repeating unit. That is, the drive signal generation circuit 70 repeatedly generates these waveform portions. Then, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles Nz is controlled by selectively applying these waveform portions to the piezo element 417 according to the ink ejection amount, that is, the dot formation data SI.

  The selective application of the waveform portion to the piezo element 417 is performed based on a plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D (see FIG. 9). These waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D are constituted by data corresponding to the waveform parts SS1 to SS8, as shown in FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D as decoded values. When a certain bit of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D is data [1], the corresponding waveform portion is applied to the piezo element 417. On the other hand, when a certain bit is data [0], the corresponding waveform portion is not applied to the piezo element 417. That is, the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D correspond to application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal COM applied to the piezo element 417. The printer 1 controls the switch 861 (see FIG. 16) of the head controller HC using the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, and applies the necessary waveform portions SS1 to SS8 to the piezo element 417. ing.

=== Main Part (Overview) of this Embodiment ===
In the printer 1 having the above-described configuration, necessary waveform portions SS1 to SS8 are applied to the piezo element 417 using the waveform portion selection data (SP_A to SP_D) as application data. It is desirable that these waveform portion selection data can be set for each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8. That is, it is desirable that the relationship between the ink ejection amount and the waveform portion applied to the piezo element 417 can be selected according to the ink. This is because the characteristics of each ink are different. In order to print a high-quality image, it is preferable to optimize the discharge amount according to the ink and the print mode.

  In addition, the mounting direction of the head unit 40 described above may vary depending on the model of the printer 1. For example, it may be attached by rotating 180 degrees in the direction of the nozzle Nz formation surface. In this case, if the head unit 40 is simply rotated and attached, the order of passage of the nozzle rows N1 to N8 with respect to the head moving direction (the order of ejected ink) varies depending on the direction in which the head unit 40 is attached. End up. From this point of view, it is desirable that the waveform portion selection data can be set for each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8.

  However, if the same number of waveform portion selection data types and ink types are associated with each other, the waveform portion selection data is dedicated to the corresponding ink. That is, the relationship between the waveform portion selection data and the type of ink to be ejected is fixed. For this reason, when the relationship with the ink type is changed, it is necessary to update the waveform portion selection data each time, and there is a problem that the control becomes complicated.

  Further, when the relationship with the ink type is fixed, it is necessary to transmit a predetermined amount of waveform portion selection data for all inks (all nozzle groups). For this reason, the time required for transmitting the waveform portion selection data increases, which is not preferable.

  Therefore, in this printer 1, as shown in FIG. 8, waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824 (corresponding to application data storage portions) for storing a plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, and waveform portion selection. The head control unit HC is provided with a data selection unit 83 (corresponding to an application data selection unit) that selects a plurality of types of waveform unit selection data SP_A to SP_D stored in the data memories 821 to 824. Based on the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D selected by the data selection portion 83, the waveform portions SS1 to SS8 (corresponding to the necessary portions) included in the drive signal COM are applied to the piezo element 417. Thereby, the waveform portion selection data used for the ink ejection can be selected from the plural types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D stored in the waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824. For this reason, it is possible to easily change the relationship between the necessary portion of the drive signal COM applied to the piezo element 417 and the ink ejection amount.

  In the printer 1, the waveform type selection data SP_A to SP_D, which are the basis of the waveform type selection data SP1 to SP8 (corresponding to the group application data) having a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits, are transferred to the printer-side controller 60 (base data). Corresponds to the application data transmission unit.) Then, the head controller HC generates waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D from the transmitted base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8. Here, the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D to be generated are of a type smaller than the predetermined type and a bit number larger than the predetermined number of bits. With this configuration, the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 have more types than the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, and the number of bits per type is reduced. For this reason, transmission of the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 can be completed in a shorter time than parallel transmission of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D itself. As a result, the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D can be transmitted efficiently. Hereinafter, these points will be described in detail.

=== Details of main parts ===
<About flexible cable FC>
First, the flexible cable FC used for signal transmission from the printer-side controller 60 will be described. Here, FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a part of the flexible cable FC. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a signal transmitted by the flexible cable FC for each core wire CW. As described above, the flexible cable FC is for electrically connecting the printer-side controller 60 and the head controller HC. The reason why the flexible cable FC is used in this way is that the printer 1 reciprocates the carriage CR to which the head unit 40 and the like are attached in the carriage movement direction when printing an image. . That is, the flexible cable FC is used to electrically connect the head controller HC and the like provided in the movable part and the printer-side controller 60. And the space of the components which can be mounted in the head unit 40 side is limited from the relationship which moves the head unit 40. FIG. For this reason, it is desirable that as few components as possible be mounted on the head unit 40 side. Therefore, in the printer 1, the head controller HC is configured with the minimum components required for applying the drive signal COM, and the head controller HC is controlled by the printer-side controller 60 provided on the printer body side. I am doing so.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the flexible cable FC has a configuration in which a plurality of core wires CW arranged in parallel to each other are covered with a resin film. One type of signal can be transmitted with one core CW. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, transfer signals TR1 to TR8, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, N-charge signal NCHG, clock signal SCK, logic power supply VDD, and drive signal COM can be transmitted. In the illustrated example, the core wire CW is arranged in two layers. And the core wire CW for transmitting each signal is arrange | positioned in zigzag form, and the other core wire CW is arrange | positioned between these core wires CW. The other core wire CW is used for the ground. Thus, by arranging the ground core wire CW between the signal core wires CW, interference between signals is prevented.

<About head control signal>
Among the transmitted signals, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8, the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, the N-charge signal NCHG, and the clock signal SCK correspond to a head control signal for controlling the head 41. The latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, and the N-charge signal NCHG correspond to control signals for applying the drive signal COM to the piezo element 417.

  For the transfer signals TR1 to TR8, types corresponding to the nozzle rows N1 to N8 are prepared. As described above, the ink to be ejected can be determined for each nozzle row. The transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are transmitted in parallel to the head controller HC through different core wires CW. The contents of the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 will be described in detail later.

  The latch signal LAT corresponds to a storage signal, and includes dot formation data SI and basic waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8, and predetermined storage portions (latch circuits 841a and 841b and waveform portion selection data memory) included in the head control portion HC. 821-824, which will be described later). That is, the latch signal LAT has a latch pulse, and the dot formation data SI and the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are stored (latched) at a timing specified by the latch pulse. These dot formation data SI and base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are included in the transfer signals TR1 to TR8. The latch signal LAT also defines the timing at which the first waveform portion (first waveform portion SS1) included in the drive signal COM is applied to the piezo element 417.

  The change signal CH defines the timing at which the second and subsequent waveform portions (second waveform portion SS2 to eighth waveform portion SS8) included in the drive signal COM are applied to the piezo element 417. That is, the change signal CH has a change pulse, and application or non-application of the corresponding waveform portion is selected at a timing specified by the change pulse.

  As can be seen from this description, the latch pulse and the change pulse correspond to timing pulses that define the application start timing of the waveform sections SS1 to SS8. The latch pulse also defines the switching timing of the drive signal COM from a certain repeating unit to the next repeating unit. The change pulse also defines the timing for switching from a certain waveform portion to the next waveform portion within a certain repeating unit of the drive signal COM.

  The N-charge signal NCHG is used when the drive signal COM is applied to all the piezo elements 417 regardless of the dot formation data SI. Thereby, even when the potential of the piezo element 417 is lowered due to natural discharge or the like, the piezo element 417 can be adjusted to a predetermined potential. The N-charge signal NCHG is a signal effective at the L level. That is, when the N-charge signal NCHG becomes L level, the drive signal COM is applied to all the piezo elements 417 over a period of L level.

  The clock signal SCK is a signal that defines the timing when the head controller HC operates. This clock signal SCK is used, for example, when transferring the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 to the head controller HC.

<Regarding Transfer Signals TR1 to TR8>
Next, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the transfer signals TR1 to TR8. As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are composed of eight signals from the first transfer signal TR1 to the eighth transfer signal TR8. The first to eighth transfer signals TR1 to TR8 have dot formation data SI, designation data SL, and base waveform portion selection data (SP1 to SP8).

  The first transfer signal TR1 includes first dot formation data SI1 (SI1a, SI1b), first designation data SL1, and first base waveform portion selection data SP1, and the second transfer signal TR2 is second dot formation data. It has data SI2 (SI2a, SI2b), second designation data SL2, and second base waveform portion selection data SP2. The same applies to the other transfer signals TR3 to TR8. That is, the third transfer signal TR3 includes third dot formation data SI3 (SI3a, SI3b), third designation data SL3, and third base waveform portion selection data SP3, and the fourth transfer signal TR4 includes the fourth transfer signal TR4. It has dot formation data SI4 (SI4a, SI4b), fourth designation data SL4, and fourth base waveform portion selection data SP8. The fifth transfer signal TR5 has fifth dot formation data SI5 (SI5a, SI5b), fifth designation data SL5, and fifth base waveform portion selection data SP5, and the sixth transfer signal TR6 has sixth dot formation. It has data SI6 (SI6a, SI6b), sixth designation data SL6, and sixth base waveform portion selection data SP6. The seventh transfer signal TR7 has seventh dot formation data SI7 (SI7a, SI7b), seventh designation data SL7, and seventh base waveform portion selection data SP7, and the eighth transfer signal TR8 has eighth dot formation. It has data SI8 (SI8a, SI8b), eighth designation data SL8, and eighth waveform portion selection data SP8.

  The dot formation data SI1 to SI8 and the designation data SL1 to SL8 correspond to the nozzle rows N1 to N8. For example, the first dot formation data SI1 and the first designation data SL1 are data for the first nozzle row N1, and the eighth dot formation data SI8 and the eighth designation data SL8 are data for the eighth nozzle row N8. On the other hand, the basic waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 do not correspond to the nozzle rows N1 to N8.

  The dot formation data SI is 2 bits as described above. The dot formation data SI included in each of the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 is divided into an upper bit group (SI1a, SI2a,..., SI8a) and a lower bit group (SI1b, SI2b,..., SI8b). That is, the upper bit group is composed of n bits from the one corresponding to the first nozzle Nz in the nozzle row to the one corresponding to the nth (for example, 96th) nozzle Nz. Similarly, the lower bit group is composed of n bits.

  The designated data SL (SL1 to SL8) is used in the nozzle row (first nozzle row N1 to eighth nozzle row N8) among the plural types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D generated by the head controller HC. Is to specify. For example, the first designation data SL1 designates the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D used in the first nozzle row N1, and the eighth designation data SL8 designates the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D used in the eighth nozzle row N8. To do. Here, the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D are application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal COM applied to the piezo element 417. For this reason, the designation data SL corresponds to selection data for selecting application data. In the printer 1, the designated data SL is 2 bits. For this reason, one waveform portion selection data can be designated from the four types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D.

  The base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are data that is the basis of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D. That is, the head controller HC generates the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D based on the transmitted base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8. For this reason, the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 correspond to base application data. Here, the base waveform portion selection data has a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits. In the present embodiment, eight types from the first basic waveform portion selection data SP1 to the eighth basic waveform portion selection data SP8 are prepared, each of which is 16 bits. The waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D generated by the head control unit HC have fewer types and a larger number of bits than the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8. There are four types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D in this embodiment, each of which is 32 bits.

  The transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are transmitted by the printer-side controller 60. Therefore, the printer-side controller 60 includes a base application data transmission unit that transmits base application data (basic waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8), a discharge amount data transmission unit that transmits discharge amount data (dot formation data SI), and a selection. This corresponds to a selection data transmission unit that transmits data (designated data SL). The transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are transmitted in parallel through separate core wires CW. For this reason, each core wire CW corresponds to a common wiring for transmitting discharge amount data, selection data, and base application data. And the number of core wires CW is reduced as much as possible by transmitting a plurality of types of data with one core wire CW.

<About the head controller HC>
Next, the head controller HC will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the head controller HC. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the shift register group 81 and the control logic 82 included in the head controller HC. As shown in FIG. 8, the head controller HC includes a shift register group 81, a control logic 82, a data selector 83, and a signal application unit SG.

<About Shift Register Group 81>
The shift register group 81 stores the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 transmitted in parallel from the printer-side controller 60, respectively. For this reason, the shift register group 81 has eight groups from the first group 81A corresponding to the first transfer signal TR1 to the eighth group 81H corresponding to the eighth transfer signal TR8. At each timing defined by the clock signal SCK, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 corresponding to the groups 81A to 81H are set bit by bit. When each transfer signal TR1 to TR8 is set up to the last bit, the data included in each transfer signal TR1 to TR8 is stored in the corresponding storage unit. For example, the dot formation data SI1 to SI8 are latched by a latch circuit (first latch circuit 841a and second latch circuit 841b, see FIG. 15) for each set corresponding to the piezo element 417. The designated data SL1 to SL8 are stored in a designated data memory 831 (see FIG. 12) included in the data selection unit 83. The base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are stored in waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824 included in the control logic 82. Among these data, the dot formation data SI1 to SI8 and the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are stored in the corresponding memory based on the latch pulse included in the latch signal LAT (corresponding to the storage signal). The designated data SL1 to SL8 are stored in the designated data memory 831 when the combination of the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, and the N-charge signal NCHG becomes a specific combination that is not used in normal control. Is done.

  The shift register group 81 corresponds to a transmission data storage unit that stores transmission data (respective transfer signals TR1 to TR8) from the printer-side controller 60. Further, the shift register group 81 stores the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 as base application data in a partial region thereof. For this reason, it also corresponds to a base application data storage unit. In addition, the shift register group 81 temporarily stores the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 before being latched by the latch signal LAT. For this reason, it also corresponds to a temporary storage unit.

<About control logic 82>
Next, the control logic 82 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the control logic 82. The control logic 82 includes a waveform portion selection data memory (821 to 824) that stores the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, and a data output portion 825 that outputs the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D to the data selection portion 83.

  First, the waveform part selection data memo will be described. The waveform portion selection data memory corresponds to the application data storage portion and is also called a pattern memory. The waveform portion selection data memory includes a first waveform portion selection data memory 821 for storing the first waveform portion selection data SP_A and a second waveform portion selection data memory 822 for storing the second waveform portion selection data SP_B. And a third waveform portion selection data memory 823 for storing the third waveform portion selection data SP_C and a fourth waveform portion selection data memory 824 for storing the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D. Each of the waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824 has the same configuration and includes a plurality of registers RG capable of storing 1-bit data. Each register RG is configured by, for example, a D-FF (delay flip flop) circuit.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration example of one of the waveform part selection data memories 821 to 824. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 10, each register RG is arranged in a matrix of eight in the column direction (vertical direction) and four in the row direction (horizontal direction). Eight registers RG (hereinafter also referred to as register groups) belonging to the same column store sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 used in one gradation defined by the dot formation data SI.

  In this example, each of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_B has four types of sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 (corresponding to sub application data). For example, the register group belonging to the leftmost column stores the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to the dotless data [00]. The register group belonging to the second column from the left stores sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to small dot data [01]. Similarly, the register group belonging to the third column from the left stores the sub-waveform portion selection data q2 corresponding to the medium dot data [10], and the register group belonging to the rightmost column is the large dot data [11]. ] Is stored. Further, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 define application or non-application of the waveform portions SS1 to SS8 (corresponding to necessary portions) of the drive signal COM to the piezo element 417. In the register group, data defining application / non-application of the first waveform section SS1 is stored in the register RG located at the uppermost side in the figure, and the register RG located second from the upper side stores the data of the second waveform section SS2. Data defining application / non-application is stored. The same applies to the other registers RG, and data indicating application / non-application of the eighth waveform section SS8 is stored in the register RG located on the lowermost side.

  In this example, one waveform portion selection data is generated by combining a plurality of base waveform portion selection data. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first waveform portion selection data SP_A is generated from the first basic waveform portion selection data SP1 and the second basic waveform portion selection data SP2, and the third basic waveform portion selection data SP3 and the fourth basic waveform portion selection data SP3 and fourth Second waveform portion selection data SP_B is generated with the base waveform portion selection data SP4. Similarly, third waveform portion selection data SP_C is generated from the fifth base waveform portion selection data SP5 and the sixth base waveform portion selection data SP6, and the seventh base waveform portion selection data SP7 and the eighth base waveform portion selection data SP8. The fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D is generated.

  The generation of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D is performed by storing the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 temporarily stored in the shift register group 81 in a predetermined area of the waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824. Is done. In the example of FIG. 10, odd-numbered fundamental waveform portion selection data SP1, SP3, SP5, SP7 are stored in the 16 registers RG located in the upper half of the figure, and the 16 registers located in the lower half of the figure. RG stores even-numbered fundamental waveform portion selection data SP2, SP4, SP6, SP8.

  Thus, if one waveform part selection data (SP_A to SP_D) is generated by combining a plurality of base waveform part selection data (SP1 to SP8), the contents of the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D can be changed depending on the combination. The degree of freedom of the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D to be generated can be increased. Even the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D having a large number of bits can be easily generated. Moreover, since the number of bits of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D can be increased, the number of waveform portions (SS1 to SS8) included in the drive signal COM, that is, the number of necessary portions to be selected can be increased.

  Further, when generating each waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, the base waveform portion generation data SP1 to SP8 stored in the shift register group 81 are stored in a predetermined area of the waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824. When configured in this manner, the waveform portion selection data can be generated efficiently and in a short time.

  Next, the data output unit 825 will be described. The data output unit 825 includes multiplexers 825a to 825d and a counter CT.

  The multiplexers 825a to 825d select and output the data stored in the registers RG constituting the register group according to the output from the counter CT. The counter CT is reset by a latch pulse and is counted up every time a change pulse is input. Each of the multiplexers 825a to 825d selects the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 for the first waveform portion SS1 by reset. Thereafter, each of the multiplexers 825a to 825d switches the data to be selected every time the output of the counter CT is counted up. For example, the sub waveform selection data q0 to q3 for the second waveform section SS2, the sub waveform section selection data q0 to q3 for the third waveform section, and the data to be selected are switched. That is, the multiplexers 825a to 825d switch the target register RG based on the latch signal LAT and the change signal CH, and output the data stored in the register RG. As a result, the data output unit 825 outputs waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D including four types of sub waveform part selection data q0 to q3.

<About the data selection unit 83>
Next, the data selection unit 83 will be described. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the data selection unit 83. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first data selection unit 83A to the eighth data selection unit 83H constituting the data selection unit 83. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the q0 selection circuit 832 included in each data selection unit 83.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the data selection unit 83 selects a plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D output from the control logic 82, and a signal application unit provided corresponding to each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8. Output to SG. Each signal application unit SG controls ink ejection using the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D selected by the data selection unit 83. The data selection unit 83 is provided with a number corresponding to the nozzle row. In this embodiment, since eight nozzle rows N1 to N8 are provided, the first data selection unit 83A corresponding to the first nozzle row N1 to the eighth data selection unit 83H corresponding to the eighth nozzle row N8. Eight are provided. Each of the data selection units 83A to 83H is inputted with the first waveform portion selection data SP_A to the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D and the corresponding designation data SL. The designation data SL is input for the corresponding nozzle row. That is, the first designation data SL1 for selecting the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D used in the first nozzle row N1 is input to the first data selection portion 83A. The second data selection unit 83 receives the second designation data SL2 for selecting the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D used in the second nozzle row N2. Thereafter, the same is input, and the eighth specification data SL8 for selecting the waveform selection data SP_A to SP_D used in the eighth nozzle row N8 is input to the eighth data selection unit 83H.

  Each data selection part 83A-83H is the same structure. As shown in FIG. 12, each of the data selection units 83A to 83H includes a designated data memory 831, a q0 selection circuit 832, a q1 selection circuit 833, a q2 selection circuit 834, and a q3 selection circuit 835. The q0 selection circuit 832 selects the sub waveform portion selection data q0 designated by the designated data SL from the sub waveform portion selection data q0 included in each of the first waveform portion selection data SP_A to the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D. Output. Similarly, the q1 selection circuit 833 selects and outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q1, the q2 selection circuit 834 selects and outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q2, and the q3 selection circuit 835 selects the sub waveform portion selection data q3. is there.

  Each of the selection circuits 832 to 835 has the same configuration. For example, the q0 selection circuit 832 includes four AND circuits 832a to 832d and one OR circuit 832e as shown in FIG. The first AND circuit 832a includes sub waveform portion application data q0 (A) of the first waveform portion selection data SP_A, inverted data of the upper bit A1 of the designated data SL, and inverted data of the lower bit A2 of the designated data SL. Is entered. Note that the inverted data of the designated data SL is generated by the inverter INV. In the case of the designated data SL [00], the first AND circuit 832a outputs the sub waveform portion application data q0 (A) of the first waveform portion selection data SP_A. In the second AND circuit 832b, the sub-waveform portion application data q0 (B) of the second waveform portion selection data SP_B, the inverted data of the upper bit A1 of the designated data SL, and the data of the lower bit A2 of the designated data SL are stored. Have been entered. Therefore, in the case of the designated data SL [01], the second AND circuit 832b outputs the sub waveform portion application data q0 (B) of the second waveform portion selection data SP_B. In the third AND circuit 832c, the sub-waveform portion application data q0 (C) of the third waveform portion selection data SP_C, the upper bit A1 data of the designated data SL, and the inverted data of the lower bit A2 of the designated data SL are stored. Have been entered. Therefore, in the case of the designated data SL [10], the third AND circuit 832c outputs the sub waveform portion application data q0 (C) of the third waveform portion selection data SP_C. Sub waveform portion application data q0 (D) of the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D, the upper bit A1 data of the designated data SL, and the lower bit A2 data of the designated data SL are input to the fourth AND circuit 832d. Has been. Therefore, in the case of the designated data SL [11], the fourth AND circuit 832d outputs the sub waveform portion application data q0 (D) of the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D. The sub-waveform portion selection data q0 (A) to q0 (D) output from the AND circuits 832a to 832d is input to the OR circuit 832e. Therefore, from the OR circuit 832e, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 (A) to q0 (D) designated by the designated data SL is output.

  The designation data memory 831 corresponds to a selection data storage unit, and stores designation data SL (corresponding to selection data) in a rewritable manner. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the designated data memory 831 has a register 831a for storing the upper bit A1 of the designated data SL and a register 831b for storing the lower bit A2. These registers 831a and 831b store the designated data SL in the case of a specific combination in which the head control signal is not used in a normal use state (that is, a state in which the drive signal COM is applied to the piezo element 417). For example, the designated data SL is stored when the latch signal LAT is at the H level, the change signal CH is at the H level, and the N-charge signal NCHG is at the L level. Therefore, an AND circuit 830 is connected to the clock terminals of these registers 831a and 831b. The input of the AND circuit 830 receives the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, and the inverted signal of the N-charge signal NCHG.

  By providing such a data selection unit 83, the printer 1 outputs desired waveform portion selection data among the plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D output from the control logic 82 to the signal application unit SG. can do. Thereby, the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D can be selected for each ink to be ejected. Then, by rewriting the designated data SL, the relationship between the ejected ink and the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D can be easily changed. Further, a dedicated signal line for controlling the designated data memory 831 can be omitted, and the wiring can be simplified. Further, it is possible to prevent a problem that the designated data SL is stored by mistake.

<About designated data SL>
Next, the designated data SL will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the designated data SL. As described above, the designation data SL is used to designate the waveform selection data SP_A to SP_D to be used for each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8. In this embodiment, the first designation data SL1 corresponding to the first nozzle row N1 for black ink is data [00]. Thereby, the first waveform portion selection data SP_A is designated. Similarly, the second designation data SL2 corresponding to the second nozzle row N2 for black ink is also data [00]. The third designation data SL3 corresponding to the third nozzle row N3 for cyan ink is data [01]. Thereby, the second waveform portion selection data SP_B is designated. The fourth designation data SL4 corresponding to the fourth nozzle row N4 for magenta ink is also data [01]. The fifth designation data SL5 corresponding to the fifth nozzle row N5 for light cyan ink and the sixth designation data SL6 corresponding to the sixth nozzle row N6 for light magenta ink are data [10]. Thereby, the third waveform portion selection data SP_C is designated. The seventh designation data SL7 corresponding to the seventh nozzle row N7 for yellow ink is data [01]. Thereby, the second waveform portion selection data SP_B is designated. The eighth designation data SL8 corresponding to the eighth nozzle row N8 for red ink is data [11]. Thereby, the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D is designated.

  As described above, since the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D are designated for each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8 using the designated data SL1 to SL8, even if the combination of the nozzle rows N1 to N8 and the ink is changed. Can be easily accommodated.

  In this example, fewer types of waveform portion selection data than the type of ink to be ejected are prepared, and certain waveform portion selection data is used for ejection of a plurality of types of ink. In other words, the data selection unit 83 selects certain waveform portion selection data for a plurality of nozzle rows. Thereby, it is possible to effectively use the waveform portion selection data of a type smaller than the type of ink.

<About the signal application unit SG>
Next, the signal application unit SG will be described. Here, FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the signal applying unit SG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the decoder 851. As shown in FIG. 8, the signal applying unit SG is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of nozzle rows N1 to N8. That is, it is provided corresponding to each of the piezo element groups PZn included in the nozzle rows N1 to N8. One signal application unit SG includes a latch circuit group 84, a decoder group 85, and a switch group 86, for example, as shown in FIG.

  The latch circuit group 84 includes a set of a first latch circuit 841a and a second latch circuit 841b provided for each piezo element 417 (for each nozzle Nz). The set of the first latch circuit 841a and the second latch circuit 841b is the dot formation data SI set in the shift register group 81 based on the latch pulse included in the latch signal LAT, and the dot corresponding to the piezo element 417. The formation data SI is latched. That is, the first latch circuit 841a latches the upper bits of the dot formation data SI, and the second latch circuit 841b latches the lower bits of the dot formation data SI. Then, the set of the upper and lower bits of the latched dot formation data SI is output to the corresponding decoder 851.

  The decoder group 85 includes a plurality of decoders 851 provided for each piezo element 417. Each decoder 851 has the same configuration, and includes four AND circuits 851a to 851d and one OR circuit 851e. The first AND circuit 851a is supplied with the sub waveform portion application data q0, the inverted data of the upper bits of the dot formation data SI, and the inverted data of the lower bits of the dot formation data SI. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [00], the first AND circuit 851a outputs the sub waveform portion application data q0. Sub-waveform portion application data q1, inverted data of upper bits of dot formation data SI, and lower bit data of dot formation data SI are input to the second AND circuit 851b. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [01], the second AND circuit 851b outputs the sub waveform portion application data q1. The third AND circuit 851c receives the sub waveform portion application data q2, the upper bit data of the dot formation data SI, and the inverted data of the lower bits of the dot formation data SI. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [10], the third AND circuit 851c outputs the sub waveform portion application data q2. The fourth AND circuit 851d receives the sub waveform portion application data q3, the upper bit data of the dot formation data SI, and the lower bit data of the dot formation data SI. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [11], the fourth AND circuit 851d outputs the sub waveform portion application data q3. The OR circuit 851e receives the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 output from the AND circuits 851a to 851d and the inverted signal of the N-charge signal NCHG. Therefore, the OR circuit 851e outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 designated by the dot formation data SI. When the N-charge signal NCHG is [0] (L level), the OR circuit 851e outputs data [1] (H level) regardless of the contents of the dot formation data SI.

  The switch group 86 is a switch that controls application of the drive signal COM to the piezo element 417, and includes a plurality of switches 861 provided for each piezo element 417. The switch 861 operates based on the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D output from the decoder 851. Here, the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D mean the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 selected by the dot formation data SI. The switch 861 applies the drive signal COM to the piezo element 417 over the period in which the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D is data [1]. Further, the drive signal COM is not applied to the piezo element 417 during the data [0] period. Then, over the period in which the drive signal COM is applied, the piezo element 417 is deformed according to the drive signal COM and performs an operation for ejecting ink and the like. Further, during the period when the N-charge signal NCHG is at the L level, the drive signal COM is applied to the piezo element 417 regardless of the contents of the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D.

  The piezo element 417 behaves like a capacitor. That is, when the application of the drive signal COM is stopped, the potential immediately before the stop is maintained. In other words, the deformation state immediately before stopping is maintained.

<Summary of signal application unit SG>
As described above, the illustrated signal application unit SG outputs the plurality of types of sub-application data q0 to q3 corresponding to the content of the dot formation data SI to the switch 861 as the waveform unit selection data SP_A to SP_D. Thereby, the amount of ink ejected can be finely controlled. Further, since the latch circuit group 84 and the decoder group 85 are composed of logic circuits, a necessary portion of the drive signal COM can be applied to the piezo element 417 even when the operating frequency is increased. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform a plurality of types of control according to the contents of the dot formation data SI.

<Operation during printing>
Next, the operation during printing will be described. Here, FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation during printing. This operation is controlled by the printer-side controller 60. That is, the CPU 62 of the printer-side controller 60 performs according to the computer program stored in the memory 63. For this reason, the computer program has a code for performing this operation.

  In this operation, first, a print command is received (S10). Here, the printer-side controller 60 receives a print command from the computer 110. This print command is included in the header of the print data, for example. Then, the printer-side controller 60 controls the control target unit based on various commands included in the received print data, and performs the following paper feed operation (S20), dot formation operation (S30), transport operation (S40), Paper discharge determination (S50), paper discharge operation (S60), and print end determination (S70) are performed.

  The paper feeding operation (S20) is an operation for transporting the paper S to a printing start position (also referred to as a cueing position). In this paper feeding operation, the printer-side controller 60 controls the paper transport mechanism 20 to move the paper S to the print start position. In the printer 1, the designated data SL is updated at the timing of the paper feeding operation. For example, during this paper feeding operation, transfer signals TR1 to TR8 of an image (raster line) to be printed first are stored in the shift register group 81. Thereafter, the printer-side controller 60 stores the designated data SL in the designated data memory 831 by setting the latch signal LAT and the change signal CH to the H level and the N-charge signal NCHG to the L level.

  The dot forming operation (S30) is an operation for forming dots on the paper S by intermittently ejecting ink from the head 41 moving in the carriage movement direction. In this operation, the printer-side controller 60 controls the carriage moving mechanism 30 to move the carriage CR. In addition, the head controller HC is controlled to eject ink from the head 41. This dot forming operation will be described later.

  The transport operation (S40) is an operation for moving the paper S in the transport direction. In this transport operation, the printer-side controller 60 controls the paper transport mechanism 20 to transport the paper S in the transport direction. By this carrying operation, the head 41 can form dots at positions different from the positions of the dots formed by the dot forming operation.

  The paper discharge determination (S50) is a determination as to whether or not to discharge the paper S to be printed. At the time of this determination, if the dot formation data SI relating to the sheet S remains, the discharge is not performed. In other words, the printer-side controller 60 repeatedly performs the dot formation operation (S30) and the conveyance operation (S40) until the dot formation data SI disappears.

  The paper discharge operation (S60) is an operation for discharging the paper S, and is performed when the dot formation data SI for the paper S being printed disappears. In this paper discharge operation, the printer-side controller 60 controls the paper transport mechanism 20 to discharge the paper S. Note that the paper discharge determination may be made based on a paper discharge command included in the print data.

  The print end determination (S70) is a determination as to whether or not to continue printing. This print end determination is made based on, for example, the presence or absence of dot formation data SI for the next sheet S. In this determination, if printing is to be performed on the next sheet S, the process returns to the paper feeding operation (S20) and printing is continued. If printing is not performed on the next sheet S, the printing operation is terminated.

<About dot formation operation>
Next, a dot forming operation will be described. Here, FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the drive signal COM. FIG. 19A is a diagram for describing the first waveform portion selection data SP_A. FIG. 19B is a diagram for explaining the second waveform portion selection data SP_B. FIG. 19C is a diagram for describing the third waveform portion selection data SP_C. FIG. 19D is a diagram for describing the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the transmission timing of each transfer signal TR1 to TR8. In the dot formation operation, a drive signal COM is generated, and a necessary portion of the drive signal COM is applied to the piezo element 417 according to the dot formation data SI.

<About the drive signal COM>
First, the drive signal COM will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the drive signal COM has eight waveform portions SS1 to SS8. That is, the first waveform section SS1 generated in the period T1, the second waveform section SS2 generated in the period T2, the third waveform section SS3 generated in the period T3, the fourth waveform section SS4 generated in the period T4, A fifth waveform section SS5 generated in the period T5, a sixth waveform section SS6 generated in the period T6, a seventh waveform section SS7 generated in the period T7, and an eighth waveform section SS8 generated in the period T8. Have. Then, the drive signal generation circuit 70 repeatedly generates each of the waveform sections SS1 to SS8 using the first waveform section SS1 to the eighth waveform section SS8 as a repeating unit.

  Each waveform section SS1 to SS8 has a drive pulse for operating the piezo element 417. That is, the first waveform section SS1 has the first drive pulse PS1. The first drive pulse PS1 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 7 pl of ink. The second waveform section SS2 has a second drive pulse PS2. The second drive pulse PS2 is a fine vibration pulse that gives the ink in the pressure chamber 414a a weak pressure fluctuation that does not cause ink to be ejected. As a result, the meniscus vibrates slightly to prevent ink thickening near the nozzle Nz. The third waveform section SS3 has a third drive pulse PS3. The third drive pulse PS3 has the same function as the first drive pulse PS1. The fourth waveform section SS4 has a fourth drive pulse PS4. The fourth drive pulse PS4 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 1.5 pl of ink. The fifth waveform section SS5 has a fifth drive pulse PS5. The fifth drive pulse PS5 also has the same function as the first drive pulse PS1. The sixth waveform section SS6 has a sixth drive pulse PS6. The sixth drive pulse PS6 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 3 pl of ink. The seventh waveform section SS7 has a seventh drive pulse PS7. The seventh drive pulse PS7 also has the same function as the first drive pulse PS1. The eighth waveform section SS8 has an eighth drive pulse PS8. The eighth drive pulse PS8 is a fine vibration pulse.

<About each waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D>
In the first waveform portion selection data SP_A shown in FIG. 19A, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to no dot (dot formation data SI [00]) is data [01000001]. Accordingly, the second waveform portion SS2 and the eighth waveform portion SS8 are applied to the piezo element 417, and the meniscus is vibrated finely by the second drive pulse PS2 and the eighth drive pulse PS8. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to the formation of small dots (dot formation data SI [01]) is data [00001000]. As a result, the fifth waveform portion SS5 is applied to the piezo element 417, and about 7 pl of ink is ejected by the fifth drive pulse PS5. The sub waveform selection data q2 corresponding to the medium dot formation (dot formation data SI [10]) is data [00101000]. Thereby, the third waveform portion SS3 and the fifth waveform portion SS5 are applied to the piezo element 417, and about 14 pl of ink is ejected by the third drive pulse PS3 and the fifth drive pulse PS5. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots (dot formation data SI [11]) is data [10101010]. As a result, the first waveform section SS1, the third waveform section SS3, the fifth waveform section SS5, and the seventh waveform section SS7 are applied to the piezo element 417, and the first drive pulse PS1, the third drive pulse PS3, and the fifth drive pulse. About 28 pl of ink is ejected by PS5 and the seventh drive pulse PS7.

  In the second waveform portion selection data SP_B shown in FIG. 19B, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 is data [01000001]. As a result, the meniscus is vibrated slightly by the second drive pulse PS2 and the eighth drive pulse PS8. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 is data [00000100]. Accordingly, about 3 pl of ink is ejected by the sixth drive pulse PS6. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 is data [00001100]. Thereby, about 10 pl of ink is ejected by the fifth drive pulse PS5 and the sixth drive pulse PS6. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of the large dot is data [10101010]. Thus, about 28 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS1, the third drive pulse PS3, the fifth drive pulse PS5, and the seventh drive pulse PS7.

  In the third waveform portion selection data SP_C shown in FIG. 19C, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 is data [01000001]. As a result, the meniscus is vibrated slightly by the second drive pulse PS2 and the eighth drive pulse PS8. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 is data [00010000]. Thereby, about 1.5 pl of ink is ejected by the fourth drive pulse PS4. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 is data [00100000]. Thereby, about 7 pl of ink is ejected by the third drive pulse PS3. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots is data [10101000]. Thus, about 21 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS1, the third drive pulse PS3, and the fifth drive pulse PS5.

  In the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D shown in FIG. 19D, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 is data [01000001]. As a result, the meniscus is vibrated slightly by the second drive pulse PS2 and the eighth drive pulse PS8. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 is data [00000100]. Accordingly, about 3 pl of ink is ejected by the sixth drive pulse PS6. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 is data [00101000]. Thereby, about 14 pl of ink is ejected by the third drive pulse PS3 and the fifth drive pulse PS5. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of the large dot is data [10101010]. Thus, about 28 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS1, the third drive pulse PS3, the fifth drive pulse PS5, and the seventh drive pulse PS7.

  As described above, by using the four types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, it is possible to select an ejection amount suitable for the type of ink even if the dot formation data SI is common. That is, the ink discharge amount can be finely controlled.

<About transmission of transfer signals TR1 to TR8>
As described above, in the printer 1, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are transmitted from the printer-side controller 60 to the head controller HC. At this time, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 used in the next repeat unit are transmitted during a period in which the ink ejection control is performed using the drive signal COM in a certain repeat unit. In the example of FIG. 20, each transfer signal TR1 to TR8 used in the next repetition period TB is transmitted in a certain repetition period TA. These transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are stored in a shift register group 81 included in the head controller HC. The base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 and the dot formation data SI included in each of the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are a predetermined storage portion (waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824) at a latch pulse timing that defines the start timing of the repetition period TB. , The first latch circuit 841a and the second latch circuit 841b). Thereby, the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D are generated from the base waveform part selection data SP1 to SP8, and the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D for the first waveform part SS1 are output to the signal application unit SG.

  In the repetition period TB, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 used in the next repetition period are transmitted and stored in the shift register group 81. Here, the shift register group 81 and the predetermined storage unit are independent, and the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 and the dot formation data SI included in each of the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 are stored in the predetermined storage unit. Therefore, there is no problem in the ink ejection control. Therefore, in the repetition period TB, preparation for the next period can be performed while controlling ink ejection. For example, the transfer signals TR1 to TR8 can be set in the shift register group 81 while outputting the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D used after the second waveform portion SS2 at the timing of the change pulse. As a result, the transmission signals TR1 to TR8 can be transmitted efficiently.

<Summary of First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, a plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D can be selected for each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8 based on the designation data SL1 to SL8. For this reason, when it is desired to change the relationship between the nozzle arrays N1 to N8 and the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, this change can be easily performed. For example, when the print mode changes, it is possible to quickly respond to the changed print mode. Moreover, even when a certain head unit 40 is attached to an apparatus having a different attachment direction, it can be easily handled.

  In the first embodiment, when generating four types and 32 bits of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, eight types and 16 bits of basic waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are transmitted in parallel to the head controller HC. ing. For this reason, transmission can be completed in a short time, and control efficiency can be improved.

=== Second Embodiment ===
In the first embodiment described above, the drive signal generation circuit 70 generates one type of drive signal COM. In this configuration, if the number of waveform portions included in the drive signal COM is increased, the repetition unit of the drive signal COM becomes excessively long, and it becomes difficult to increase the ink ejection frequency. The second embodiment has been made in view of such circumstances. In the second embodiment, a plurality of types of drive signals COM are generated from the drive signal generation circuit 70 in a certain period, and waveform portions included in these drive signals COM are selected. In particular, the ink ejection frequency is increased by applying to the piezo element 417.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described. Here, FIGS. 21 to 25 are diagrams illustrating the printer 1 of the second embodiment. That is, FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the control logic 82. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the data selection unit 83. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first data selection unit 83A to the eighth data selection unit 83H constituting the data selection unit 83. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the signal applying unit SG. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the decoder 851. In addition, regarding 2nd Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment.

<About control logic 82>
In the second embodiment, the drive signal generation circuit 70 simultaneously generates two types of drive signals COM_A and COM_B over the period of the printing operation (see FIG. 26). Although these drive signals COM_A and COM_B will be described later, they each have four waveform portions SS11 to SS14 and SS15 to SS18. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 21, each waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D includes sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 for selecting the waveform portions SS11 to SS14 included in the first drive signal COM, and the second drive. Sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 for selecting the waveform portions SS15 to SS18 included in the signal COM.

  In this embodiment, the first base waveform portion selection data SP1 becomes the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 of the first waveform portion selection data SP_A, and the second base waveform portion selection data SP2 is the first waveform portion selection data SP_A. Sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7. Further, the third base waveform portion selection data SP3 becomes sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 of the second waveform portion selection data SP_B, and the fourth base waveform portion selection data SP4 is a sub waveform of the second waveform portion selection data SP_B. The part selection data q4 to q7. Similarly, the fifth basic waveform portion selection data SP5 becomes the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 of the third waveform portion selection data SP_C, and the sixth basic waveform portion selection data SP6 is a sub waveform portion selection data SP_C. Waveform portion selection data q4 to q7, seventh waveform portion selection data SP7 becomes sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 of the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D, and eighth waveform portion selection data SP8 is the fourth waveform. It becomes the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 of the portion selection data SP_D.

  Accordingly, the waveform portion selection data memories 821 to 824 included in the control logic 82 include a register RG that stores the waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 and a register RG that stores the waveform portion selection data q4 to q7. Become. Multiplexers 825a to 825h included in the data output unit 825 are also provided corresponding to the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q7, respectively. Further, counters for controlling the multiplexers 825a to 825h are also provided with a counter CTA for waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 and a counter CTB for waveform portion selection data q4 to q7. The multiplexers 825a to 825d that output the waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 switch the contents of the data to be output based on the latch signal LAT (latch pulse) and the first change signal CHA (first change pulse). Further, the multiplexers 825e to 825h that output the waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 switch the contents of the data to be output based on the latch signal LAT and the second change signal CHB (second change pulse).

<About the data selection unit 83>
The data selection unit 83 of the present embodiment also includes a first data selection unit 83A to an eighth data selection unit 83H. Then, each of the data selection units 83A to 83H selects the plurality of types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D output from the control logic 82 to the signal application unit SG provided corresponding to each of the nozzle rows N1 to N8. Output. Here, in this embodiment, each waveform part selection data SP_A-SP_D has eight types of sub waveform part selection data q0-q7. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 23, each data selection unit 83 has eight selection circuits including q0 selection circuits 832 to q7 selection circuits 839. The q0 selection circuit 832 to q3 selection circuit 835 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 12). Further, the q4 selection circuit 836 outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q6 (A) to q6 (D) specified by the specified data SL. The same applies to the q5 selection circuit 837, the q6 selection circuit 838, and the q7 selection circuit 839.

  Note that the configuration of the q4 selection circuit 836 to q7 selection circuit 839 is the same as that of the q0 selection circuit 832 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, the contents of the designated data SL are the same as those described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 14), and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<About the signal application unit SG>
As shown in FIG. 24, the signal applying unit SG of this embodiment also includes a latch circuit group 84, a decoder group 85, and a switch group 86.

  The latch circuit group 84 includes a set of a first latch circuit 841a and a second latch circuit 841b provided for each piezo element 417, as in the first embodiment. The decoder group 85 includes a plurality of decoders 851. Here, as shown in FIG. 25, the decoder 851 of this embodiment selects the first decoding unit 851A for selecting and outputting the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3, and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7. And a second decoding unit 851B for outputting. The first decoding unit 851A has four AND circuits 851a to 851d and one OR circuit 851e, and the configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the first decoding unit 851A outputs any one of the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 according to the dot formation data SI. The difference from the decoder 851 of the first embodiment is that the N-charge signal NCHG is not input to the OR circuit 851e.

  The second decoding unit 851B also includes four AND circuits 851f to 851i and one OR circuit 851j. The first AND circuit 851f receives the waveform portion application data q4, the inverted data of the upper bits of the dot formation data SI, and the inverted data of the lower bits of the dot formation data SI. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [00], the first AND circuit 851f outputs the sub waveform portion application data q4. Sub-waveform portion application data q5, inverted data of upper bits of dot formation data SI, and lower bit data of dot formation data SI are input to the second AND circuit 851g. Therefore, in the case of dot formation data SI [01], the second AND circuit 851g outputs the sub waveform portion application data q5. The third AND circuit 851h receives the sub waveform portion application data q6, the upper bit data of the dot formation data SI, and the inverted data of the lower bits of the dot formation data SI. Therefore, in the case of the dot formation data SI [10], the third AND circuit 851h outputs the sub waveform portion application data q6. The fourth AND circuit 851i is supplied with the sub waveform portion application data q7, the upper bit data of the dot formation data SI, and the lower bit data of the dot formation data SI. For this reason, in the case of the dot formation data SI [11], the fourth AND circuit 851i outputs the sub waveform portion application data q7. The OR circuit 851j receives the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 output from the AND circuits 851f to 851i and the inverted signal of the N-charge signal NCHG. For this reason, the OR circuit 851j outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 designated by the dot formation data SI. When the N-charge signal NCHG is [0], the OR circuit 851j outputs data [1] regardless of the contents of the dot formation data SI.

  The switch group 86 includes a set of a first switch 861A and a second switch 861B provided for each piezo element 417. Here, the first switch 861A controls application of the first drive signal COM to the piezo element 417 based on the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 output from the first decoding portion 851A. The second switch 861B controls application of the second drive signal COM to the piezo element 417 based on the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 output from the second decoding unit 851B. In the case of dot formation data SI [00], the first decoding unit 851A outputs sub waveform portion selection data q0, and the second decoding unit 851B outputs sub waveform portion selection data q4. In the case of the dot formation data SI [01], the first decoding unit 851A outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q1, and the second decoding unit 851B outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q5. Similarly, in the case of the dot formation data SI [10], the first decoding unit 851A outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q2 and the second decoding unit 851B outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q6, respectively, and the dot formation data SI [11 ], The first decoding unit 851A outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q3, and the second decoding unit 851B outputs the sub waveform portion selection data q7.

  Accordingly, in the printer 1, the first switch 861A is selected by the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7 output from the decoder 851 (851A, 851B) according to the content of the dot formation data SI. And the second switch 861B is controlled. Then, necessary portions of the first drive signal COM_A and the second drive signal COM_B are applied to the piezo element 417.

<About the drive signals COM_A and COM_B>
First, the drive signals COM_A and COM_B will be described. Here, FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the drive signals COM_A and COM_B in the second embodiment. Each of the first drive signal COM_A and the second drive signal COM_B has four waveform portions. That is, the first drive signal COM_A is generated in the first waveform section SS11 generated in the period T1, the second waveform section SS12 generated in the period T2, the third waveform section SS13 generated in the period T3, and the period T4. It has the 4th waveform part SS14 generated. Similarly, the second drive signal COM_B includes the fifth waveform section SS15 generated in the period T1, the sixth waveform section SS16 generated in the period T2, the seventh waveform section SS17 generated in the period T3, and the period T4. The eighth waveform section SS18 generated in the above. The drive signal generation circuit 70 repeats the first waveform portion SS11 to the fourth waveform portion SS14 for the first drive signal COM_A, and the fifth waveform portion SS15 to the eighth waveform portion SS18 for the second drive signal COM_B. These waveform parts SS11 to SS18 are repeatedly generated.

  Each waveform section SS11 to SS18 has a drive pulse for operating the piezo element 417. That is, the first waveform section SS11 has the first drive pulse PS11. The first drive pulse PS11 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 7 pl of ink. The first drive pulse PS11 in the present embodiment has the same waveform as the first drive pulse PS1 in the first embodiment. The second waveform section SS12 has a second drive pulse PS12. The second drive pulse PS12 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 3 pl of ink. The second drive pulse PS12 in the present embodiment has the same waveform as the sixth drive pulse PS6 in the first embodiment. The third waveform section SS13 has a third drive pulse PS13. The third drive pulse PS13 has the same function as the first drive pulse PS11. The fourth waveform section SS14 has a fourth drive pulse PS14. The fourth drive pulse PS14 is a fine vibration pulse. The fifth waveform section SS15 has a fifth drive pulse PS15. The fifth drive pulse PS15 is also a fine vibration pulse. The sixth waveform section SS16 has a sixth drive pulse PS16. The sixth drive pulse PS16 has the same function as the first drive pulse PS11. The seventh waveform section SS17 has a seventh drive pulse PS17. The seventh drive pulse PS17 is an ejection pulse for ejecting about 1.5 pl of ink. The seventh drive pulse PS17 in the present embodiment has the same waveform as the fourth drive pulse PS4 in the first embodiment. The eighth waveform section SS18 has an eighth drive pulse PS18. The eighth drive pulse PS18 has the same function as the first drive pulse PS11.

<Regarding the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D>
Next, the waveform part selection data SP_A to SP_D will be described. Here, FIG. 27A is a diagram for describing the first waveform portion selection data SP_A. FIG. 27B is a diagram for describing the second waveform portion selection data SP_B. FIG. 27C is a diagram for describing the third waveform portion selection data SP_C. FIG. 27D is a diagram for describing the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D. As described above, in the printer 1, the necessary portions of the first drive signal COM_A and the second drive signal COM_B are applied to the piezo element 417 by the sub waveform portion selection data q0 to q3 and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 to q7. The

  In the first waveform portion selection data SP_A shown in FIG. 27A, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to no dot is data [0001], and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 is data [1000]. Accordingly, the fifth waveform portion SS15 is applied to the piezoelectric element 417 in the period T1, and the fourth waveform portion SS14 is applied to the piezoelectric element 417 in the period T4. As a result, the meniscus is vibrated by the fifth drive pulse PS15 and the fourth drive pulse PS14. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to the formation of small dots is data [0010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q5 is data [0000]. Thus, the third waveform portion SS13 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T3, and about 7 pl of ink is ejected by the third drive pulse PS13. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 corresponding to the formation of the medium dot is data [0010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q6 is data [0100]. Accordingly, the sixth drive pulse PS16 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2, and the third drive pulse PS13 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T3. As a result, about 14 pl of ink is ejected. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots is data [1010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q7 is data [0101]. Accordingly, the first waveform section SS11 is applied to the piezoelectric element 417 in the period T1, the sixth waveform section SS16 in the period T2, the third waveform section SS13 in the period T3, and the eighth waveform section SS18 in the period T4. . As a result, about 28 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS11, the sixth drive pulse PS16, the third drive pulse PS13, and the eighth drive pulse PS18.

  In the second waveform portion selection data SP_B shown in FIG. 27B, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to no dot is data [0001], and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 is data [1000]. Thereby, the meniscus is vibrated by the fifth drive pulse PS15 and the fourth drive pulse PS14. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to the formation of small dots is data [0100], and the sub waveform portion selection data q5 is data [0000]. Accordingly, the second waveform portion SS12 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2, and about 3 pl of ink is ejected by the second drive pulse PS12. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 corresponding to the formation of the medium dot is data [0110], and the sub waveform portion selection data q6 is data [0000]. Accordingly, the second drive pulse PS12 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2, and the third drive pulse PS13 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T3. As a result, about 10 pl of ink is ejected. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots is data [1010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q7 is data [0101]. Thus, about 28 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS11, the sixth drive pulse PS16, the third drive pulse PS13, and the eighth drive pulse PS18.

  In the third waveform portion selection data SP_C shown in FIG. 27C, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to no dot is data [0001], and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 is data [1000]. Thereby, the meniscus is vibrated by the fifth drive pulse PS15 and the fourth drive pulse PS14. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to the formation of small dots is data [0000], and the sub waveform portion selection data q5 is data [0010]. Accordingly, the seventh waveform portion SS17 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T3, and about 1.5 pl of ink is ejected by the seventh drive pulse PS17. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 corresponding to the formation of the medium dot is data [0000], and the sub waveform portion selection data q6 is data [0100]. Thereby, the sixth drive pulse PS16 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2. As a result, about 7 pl of ink is ejected. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots is data [1010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q7 is data [0100]. Thus, about 21 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS11, the sixth drive pulse PS16, and the third drive pulse PS13.

  In the fourth waveform portion selection data SP_D shown in FIG. 27D, the sub waveform portion selection data q0 corresponding to no dot is data [0001], and the sub waveform portion selection data q4 is data [1000]. Thereby, the meniscus is vibrated by the fifth drive pulse PS15 and the fourth drive pulse PS14. The sub waveform portion selection data q1 corresponding to the formation of small dots is data [0100], and the sub waveform portion selection data q5 is data [0000]. Accordingly, the second waveform portion SS12 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2, and about 3 pl of ink is ejected by the second drive pulse PS12. The sub waveform portion selection data q2 corresponding to the formation of the medium dot is data [0010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q6 is data [0100]. Accordingly, the sixth drive pulse PS16 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T2, and the third drive pulse PS13 is applied to the piezo element 417 in the period T3. As a result, about 14 pl of ink is ejected. The sub waveform portion selection data q3 corresponding to the formation of large dots is data [1010], and the sub waveform portion selection data q7 is data [0101]. Thus, about 28 pl of ink is ejected by the first drive pulse PS11, the sixth drive pulse PS16, the third drive pulse PS13, and the eighth drive pulse PS18.

  As described above, also in this embodiment, by using the four types of waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D, it is possible to select an ejection amount suitable for the type of ink even if the dot formation data SI is common. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of drive signals COM_A and COM_B are generated in a certain period, and the waveform sections SS11 to SS18 selected from these drive signals COM_A and COM_B are applied to the piezo element 417. Even during the specified period, the ink discharge amount can be finely controlled. That is, the ink discharge amount can be controlled while increasing the ink discharge frequency.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Each of the above-described embodiments describes the printer 1 as a printing apparatus. However, the disclosure of the ink ejection control method by the printer 1, the computer program for controlling the printer 1, and the codes included in the program are described. Is also included. In addition, each of the above-described embodiments has been described with respect to the printing system 100 including the printer 1, but the disclosure includes a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid ejection system. Also included are an apparatus for performing various processing operations by discharging a liquid, and a method for controlling the apparatus. Further, each of the embodiments described above is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

<About changing the print mode>
The change of the print mode may be triggered by the replacement of the ink cartridge IC. Here, FIG. 28A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the nozzle row and the ink in the first print mode. FIG. 28B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between nozzle rows and ink in the second printing mode.

  In the first printing mode in FIG. 28A (corresponding to a certain printing mode), different inks are ejected from each of the eight nozzle rows N1 to N8. That is, black ink is ejected from the first nozzle array N1, and gray ink is ejected from the second nozzle array N2. Further, cyan ink is ejected from the third nozzle array N3, and magenta ink is ejected from the fourth nozzle array N4. Further, light cyan ink is ejected from the fifth nozzle array N5, light magenta ink is ejected from the sixth nozzle array N6, yellow ink is ejected from the seventh nozzle array N7, and red ink is ejected from the eighth nozzle array N8. It is discharged. In the first print mode, different types of ink are ejected from the nozzle rows N1 to N8, so that a high-quality image can be printed.

  On the other hand, in the second printing mode (corresponding to other printing modes) in FIG. 28B, four types of ink are ejected from the eight nozzle rows N1 to N8. That is, the same ink is ejected by two nozzle rows. For example, black ink is ejected from the first nozzle array N1 and the second nozzle array N2, and cyan ink is ejected from the third nozzle array N3 and the fifth nozzle array N5. Further, magenta ink is ejected from the fourth nozzle array N4 and the sixth nozzle array N6, and yellow ink is ejected from the seventh nozzle array N7 and the eighth nozzle array N8. Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the nozzle rows that eject ink of the same color are shifted from each other by a half pitch in the formation positions of the nozzles Nz. For this reason, in one movement of the carriage CR, dots can be formed at a density twice that of the above-described embodiments. For this reason, in this print mode, a high-density image can be printed at high speed.

  Switching from the first printing mode to the second printing mode is performed by changing the ink cartridge IC (see FIG. 3A) mounted on the carriage CR. Specifically, the printer-side controller 60 is made to recognize whether the mounted ink cartridge IC is for the first print mode or the second print mode. Various methods can be used as the recognition method. For example, print mode information corresponding to a memory (not shown) with contacts provided in the ink cartridge IC is stored, and the printer controller 60 reads the print mode information so that the printer controller 60 can read the print mode information. Can be recognized.

  The printer-side controller 60 determines the designated data SL1 to SL8 based on the recognized print mode. Then, the designated designation data SL1 to SL8 are included in the transfer information TR1 to TR8 and transmitted to the head controller HC. Thereby, according to printing mode, each waveform part selection data SP_A-SP_D can be used for discharge of the predetermined nozzle row N1-N8. As a result, printing with the waveform portion selection data SP_A to SP_D suitable for the ink can be performed with the mounting of the ink cartridge IC.

<About updating specified data SL>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the designated data SL is updated in the paper feeding operation (S10). However, the update timing of the designated data SL is not limited to this example. For example, the designated data SL may be updated at the timing of the transport operation (S40). Of course, you may update at another timing.

<About the drive signal COM>
Regarding the drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 70, there is one type in the first embodiment and two types in the second embodiment. However, you may comprise so that three or more types of drive signals COM may be produced | generated.

<About the number of gradations>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the dot formation data SI is composed of 2 bits, and dots are formed with 4 gradations. In other words, the ink discharge amount is controlled in four stages. However, the number of gradations is not limited to four. For example, it may be composed of 8 gradations (3 bits), or other gradation numbers.

<About basic waveform selection data>
For convenience of explanation, the base waveform portion selection data SP1 to SP8 are each 16 bits, but are not limited to 16 bits. For example, it may be 32 bits or more.

<About types of ink to be ejected>
In each of the embodiments described above, a configuration has been described in which seven types of ink (see FIG. 14), eight types of ink (see FIG. 28A), and four types of ink (see FIG. 28B) are ejected. The type of ink to be ejected is not limited to these and can be variously determined.

<About nozzle group>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the nozzle group that ejects the same type of liquid is configured by the nozzle row. One head 41 had eight nozzle rows. However, the number of nozzle rows is not limited to eight and may be plural. Further, the nozzle group is not limited to the nozzle row. For example, if there are a plurality of groups for ejecting the same liquid in one nozzle row, each group constitutes a nozzle group.

<About the liquid discharged from the head 41>
In each of the above-described embodiments, since it was an embodiment of the printer 1, liquid ink was ejected. However, the liquid to be ejected is not limited to ink as long as it is liquid. What is necessary is just to discharge the liquid according to the use. Then, as in each embodiment, when the liquid is ink for printing, printing of an image or the like can be performed efficiently.

<About other application examples>
In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, color filter manufacturing apparatus, dyeing apparatus, fine processing apparatus, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, surface processing apparatus, three-dimensional modeling machine, liquid vaporizer, organic EL manufacturing apparatus (particularly polymer EL manufacturing apparatus), display manufacturing apparatus, film formation The same technology as that of the present embodiment may be applied to various liquid ejection devices to which inkjet technology such as a device and a DNA chip manufacturing device is applied. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 20 Paper conveyance mechanism, 21 Paper feed roller, 22 Conveyance motor, 23 Conveyance roller, 24 Platen, 25 Paper discharge roller, 30 Carriage movement mechanism, 31 Carriage motor, 32 Guide shaft, 33 Timing belt, 34 Drive pulley, 35 idler pulley, 40 head unit, 41 head, 41A flow path unit, 411 nozzle plate, 412 reservoir chamber forming substrate, 412a ink reservoir chamber, 413 supply port forming substrate, 413a ink supply port, 41B actuator unit, 414 pressure chamber forming Substrate, 414a pressure chamber, 415 diaphragm, 416 lid member, 416a supply side communication port, 417 piezo element, 42 head side wiring member, 43 head case, 50 detector group, 51 linear encoder, 52 rotary type Encoder, 53 paper detector, 54 paper width detector, 60 printer side controller, 61 interface unit, 62 CPU, 63 memory, 64 control unit, 70 drive signal generation circuit, 81 shift register group (81A 1st group to 81H 8th Group), 82 control logic, 821 first waveform section selection data memory, 822 second waveform section selection data memory, 823 third waveform section selection data memory, 824 fourth waveform section selection data memory, 825 data output section (825a- 825h multiplexer), 83 data selection unit, 830 AND circuit, 831 designated data memory (831a register, 831b register), 832 q0 selection circuit, 832a first AND circuit, 832b second AND circuit, 832c third AND circuit, 832d first 4 AND circuit, 832e OR circuit, 833 q1 selection circuit, 834 q2 selection circuit, 835 q3 selection circuit, 84 latch circuit group, 841a first latch circuit, 841b second latch circuit, 85 decoder group, 851 decoder, 851A first Decoding unit, 851B second decoding unit, 851a first AND circuit, 851b second AND circuit, 851c third AND circuit, 851d fourth AND circuit, 851e OR circuit, 851f first AND circuit, 851g second AND circuit, 851h 3rd AND circuit, 851i 4th AND circuit, 851j OR circuit, 86 switch group, 861 switch, 861A 1st switch, 861B 2nd switch, 100 printing system, 110 computer, 111 host side controller, 112 interface Section, 113 CPU, 114 memory, 120 display device, 130 input device, 131 keyboard, 132 mouse, 140 recording / playback device, 141 flexible disk drive device, 142 CD-ROM drive device, S paper, CTR controller board, HC head Control unit, SG signal applying unit, RG register, CT counter, CTA counter, CTB counter, INV inverter, CR carriage, N1 first nozzle row, N2 second nozzle row, N3 third nozzle row, N4 fourth nozzle row, N5 5th nozzle row, N6 6th nozzle row, N7 7th nozzle row, N8 8th nozzle row, Nz nozzle, PZn piezo element group, FC flexible cable, CW core wire, COM drive signal, COM_A 1st drive signal, COM_B Second drive signal , SS1 first waveform section, SS2 second waveform section, SS3 third waveform section, SS4 fourth waveform section, SS5 fifth waveform section, SS6 sixth waveform section, SS7 seventh waveform section, SS8 eighth waveform section, SS11 First waveform section, SS12 second waveform section, SS13 third waveform section, SS14 fourth waveform section, SS15 fifth waveform section, SS16 sixth waveform section, SS17 seventh waveform section, SS18 eighth waveform section, PS1 first Drive pulse, PS2 second drive pulse, PS3 third drive pulse, PS4 fourth drive pulse, PS5 fifth drive pulse, PS6 sixth drive pulse, PS7 seventh drive pulse, PS8 eighth drive pulse, PS11 first drive pulse , PS12 second drive pulse, PS13 third drive pulse, PS14 fourth drive pulse, PS15 fifth drive pulse, PS16 sixth drive pulse, S17 7th drive pulse, PS18 8th drive pulse, TR1 1st transfer signal, TR2 2nd transfer signal, TR3 3rd transfer signal, TR4 4th transfer signal, TR5 5th transfer signal, TR6 6th transfer signal, TR7 1st 7 transfer signal, TR8 8th transfer signal, SI1 1st dot formation data, SI2 2nd dot formation data, SI3 3rd dot formation data, SI4 4th dot formation data, SI5 5th dot formation data, SI6 6th dot formation Data, SI7 7th dot formation data, SI8 8th dot formation data, SP1 1st waveform selection data, SP2 2nd waveform selection data, SP3 3rd waveform selection data, SP4 4th waveform selection Data, SP5 5th waveform selection data, SP6 6th waveform selection data, SP7 7th waveform selection Data, SP8 8th waveform selection data, SL1 1st designation data, SL2 2nd designation data, SL3 3rd designation data, SL4 4th designation data, SL5 5th designation data, SL6 6th designation data, SL7 7th Specification data, SL8 8th specification data, SP_A 1st waveform part selection data, SP_B 2nd waveform part selection data, SP_C 3rd waveform part selection data, SP_D 4th waveform part selection data, LAT latch signal, CH change signal, NCHG N-charge signal, SCK clock signal, power supply for VDD logic.

Claims (14)

(A) a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal for driving an element that operates to discharge liquid;
(B) A basic application data transmission unit that transmits basic application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits in parallel, which is basic application data as a basis of application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element When,
(C) based on the base application data, an application data generation unit that generates the application data having a bit number that is less than the predetermined type and greater than the predetermined bit number;
(D) based on the application data, a drive signal application unit that applies a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element;
A liquid ejection apparatus having The liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
A plurality of nozzle groups each having a plurality of nozzles from which liquid is discharged by the operation of the element, wherein the liquids to be discharged are respectively determined;
The base application data transmission unit includes:
A predetermined type of base application data corresponding to the nozzle group is transmitted in parallel,
The drive signal application unit includes:
A liquid ejecting apparatus that shares certain application data for at least two nozzle groups and applies a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A liquid ejection apparatus, comprising: an application data selection unit that selects application data generated by the application data generation unit according to a liquid to be ejected and outputs the selected data to the drive signal application unit. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3,
The application data selection unit includes:
A liquid ejection apparatus, comprising: a selection data storage unit that rewrites selection data for selecting the application data and corresponding to the type of liquid to be ejected. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The application data generation unit includes:
A liquid ejection apparatus that generates the application data by combining a plurality of types of the base application data. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5,
The application data generation unit includes:
An application data storage unit for storing the application data;
A liquid ejection apparatus that combines a plurality of types of the base application data by storing the base application data in a predetermined area of the application data storage unit. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6,
A base application data storage unit for storing the base application data of a predetermined type transmitted by the base application data transmission unit;
The application data generation unit includes:
A liquid ejection apparatus that stores the base application data stored in the base application data storage unit in a predetermined area of the application data storage unit. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The application data is:
A plurality of types of sub-application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element for each discharge amount of the liquid;
The drive signal application unit includes:
Sub discharge data corresponding to the discharge amount data is selected from discharge amount data indicating the discharge amount of the liquid for each of the plurality of elements, and a necessary portion of the drive signal is selected based on the selected sub application data. A liquid ejection device to be applied to the liquid. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The drive signal generator is
Generating a plurality of the driving signals in a period of time;
The drive signal application unit includes:
A liquid ejection apparatus that causes a required portion of a drive signal selected from a plurality of drive signals to be applied to the element based on selected application data. A liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The liquid is
A liquid ejection device that is ink for printing. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The element is
A liquid ejection device that is a piezo element. (A) a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal for driving an element that performs an operation for ejecting liquid, the drive signal generation unit generating a plurality of the drive signals in a certain period;
(B) a nozzle group having a plurality of nozzles from which liquid is discharged by the operation of the element, and a plurality of nozzle groups in which liquids to be discharged are respectively defined;
(C) Parallel transmission of basic application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits according to the nozzle group, which is basic data of application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element A base application data transmission unit,
(D) a base application data storage unit that stores the predetermined type of base application data transmitted by the base application data transmission unit;
(E) having an application data storage unit for storing the application data;
By storing the base application data stored in the base application data storage unit in a predetermined area of the application data storage unit, a plurality of types of the base application data are combined, and thereby less than the predetermined type The number of sub-application data of a plurality of types for determining the necessary portion of the drive signal to be applied to the element for each discharge amount of the liquid, which is a type and a number of bits larger than the predetermined number of bits. An application data generation unit that generates application data; and (F) a selection data storage unit that stores selection data for selecting the application data in a rewritable manner according to the type of liquid to be ejected. Have
An application data selection unit that selects application data generated by the application data generation unit according to a liquid to be ejected, and outputs the selected data to the drive signal application unit;
(G) a drive signal application unit that applies a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the selected application data;
Sharing certain application data for at least two nozzle groups;
Sub application data corresponding to the discharge amount data is selected from discharge amount data indicating the discharge amount of the liquid for each of the plurality of elements, and selected from the plurality of drive signals based on the selected sub application data A drive signal applying unit for applying a necessary part of the drive signal to the element,
(H) The liquid is
Printing ink,
(I) The element is
A liquid ejection device that is a piezo element. A liquid ejection method comprising:
(A) generating a drive signal for driving an element that operates to discharge liquid;
(B) parallel transmission of basic application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits, which is basic application data serving as a basis of application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element;
(C) Based on the basic application data, generating the application data having a number smaller than the predetermined type and a larger number of bits than the predetermined number of bits;
(D) A liquid ejection method of applying a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the application data. A program for controlling a liquid ejection device,
(A) causing the drive signal generation unit to generate a drive signal for driving an element that operates to discharge liquid;
(B) Base application data, which is a base of application data for determining a necessary portion of the drive signal applied to the element, and which is a base application data of a predetermined type and a predetermined number of bits is parallel to the base application data transmission unit. Sending
(C) causing the application data generation unit to generate the application data having a bit number that is less than the predetermined type and greater than the predetermined bit number based on the base application data;
(D) causing the drive signal application unit to apply a necessary portion of the drive signal to the element based on the application data;
A program for causing the liquid ejection apparatus to perform the operation.

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