JP2023072466A - Processor, image formation device, image formation operation setting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform processing of more appropriately suppressing deterioration of image quality.SOLUTION: A processor includes generation means for generating operation setting data of a recording element for forming an image by dot formation operation by a plurality of recording elements aligned in a first direction, and operation for relatively moving a medium and the recording element in a second direction. The generation means determines a dot position on the basis of gradation data of each pixel of a formation object image, outputs an image for adjustment for obtaining a setting condition for complementing a dot position to an operation defect recording element and acquires a setting condition, and determines a complementation dot position on the basis of a setting condition. In the image for adjustment, a plurality of first pattern images having different arrangement ratios of the dot position is arranged in the second direction, and a plurality of second pattern images which has been subjected to complementation processing of distributing the dot position to a periphery of a breakage position where recording of the dot is inhibited at a complementation ratio of adding an off-set number relating to a setting condition to the arrangement ratio of the first pattern image is arranged in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a processing device, an image forming device, an image forming operation setting method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art There is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by operating a plurality of recording elements having nozzles that eject ink to form (record) dots. As the number of recording elements increases due to the demand for higher image quality, malfunctioning recording elements that cannot normally record dots are more likely to occur. The presence of such malfunctioning recording elements degrades the image quality of formed images. On the other hand, conventionally, there is a technique of suppressing deterioration in image quality by performing a complementary operation with a printing element that prints dots in the vicinity of the dot position of the malfunctioning printing element, particularly in an adjacent position.

In this way, simply allocating the dots that should have been printed by the operation of the malfunctioning recording element to another substitute recording element to print the dots would not result in correct positioning of the malfunctioning recording element and the substitute recording element. Due to differences in In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-201002, test images are formed by changing the density gradation with other nozzles while ink is not ejected from some nozzles, and a test image that provides an appropriate density gradation is specified. , which corrects an image in accordance with the density gradation of the test image and then generates operation setting data for ejecting ink.

JP 2012-45831 A

However, the operating state of each recording element has minute variations even within a normal range. Therefore, simply adjusting the density gradation of the original image data has the problem that it is not possible to appropriately avoid fine density unevenness and streaks that accompany the complementing process, thereby suppressing deterioration in image quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming operation setting method, and a program for more appropriately suppressing deterioration in image quality.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1,
The method for forming an image by an operation of forming dots by a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction and an operation of relatively moving the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction intersecting the first direction. generating means for generating operation setting data relating to dot forming operations by a plurality of recording elements;
The generating means is
position determining means for determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output means for
acquisition means for acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
change content determining means for determining the dot position related to the supplementation by the normal recording element other than the malfunctioning recording element based on the setting condition;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. A processing device comprising a second pattern image of

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The adjustment image is characterized in that the first pattern image is positioned next to at least one of the second pattern images in the first direction.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The second pattern image has a plurality of missing positions at predetermined intervals in the first direction, and the complementing process is performed on each of the plurality of missing positions at the complementation rate. and

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The complement ratio of the plurality of second pattern images arranged in the first direction is determined in a random order with respect to the arrangement order of the plurality of second pattern images.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The obtaining means obtains the setting condition based on difference data between the formed first pattern image and the second pattern image.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The adjustment image output means is characterized in that at least one of the range in which the arrangement ratio is varied and the range in which the complementation ratio is varied is determined according to the type of medium on which the adjustment image is to be output.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The adjustment image output means is characterized by outputting the adjustment image for each of the plurality of color types of the dots.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
the plurality of recording elements each belong to one of a plurality of recording heads,
The adjustment image output means is characterized by outputting the adjustment image for each of the recording heads.

Further, the invention according to claim 9 is the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Equipped with operation reception means,
The adjustment image output means is capable of outputting the first pattern images of a plurality of patterns different from each other and the second pattern images based on the first pattern images, and the operation receiving means accepts and outputting the adjustment image including the first pattern image based on the pattern selected according to the content of the input operation and the second pattern image based on the first pattern image.

Further, the invention according to claim 10,
a plurality of recording elements arranged in the first direction and recording dots;
moving means for relatively moving the plurality of recording elements and the medium in the second direction;
A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Further, the invention according to claim 11,
The method for forming an image by an operation of forming dots by a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction and an operation of relatively moving the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction intersecting the first direction. including a generation step of generating operation setting data related to dot formation operations by a plurality of recording elements;
The generating step includes:
a position determination step of determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output step for
an acquisition step of acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
a change content determination step of determining the dot positions related to the supplementation by the normal recording elements other than the malfunctioning recording elements based on the setting conditions;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. and a second pattern image of the image forming operation setting method.

Further, the invention according to claim 12,
To form an image by causing the computer to form dots using a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction, and to relatively move the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. functioning as generating means for generating operation setting data relating to the dot forming operation by the plurality of recording elements;
The generating means is
position determining means for determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output means for
acquisition means for acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
change content determining means for determining the dot position related to the supplementation by the normal recording element other than the malfunctioning recording element based on the setting condition;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. A program characterized by comprising a second pattern image of

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is effective in the ability to obtain the operation setting data which suppresses deterioration of an image quality more appropriately.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the ink ejection surface of the head unit; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline flow of ejection data generation processing; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating missing complement processing according to the present embodiment; It is a figure explaining a test image. 10 is a flow chart showing a control procedure of missing complement processing;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 including a processing device of this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front.

The image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from nozzles, has a line head, and ejects a plurality of colors of ink at appropriate timing while moving a medium M with respect to the line head. It is a printer that can record color images.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a medium supply unit 10, a forming operation unit 20, a medium ejection unit 30, a control unit 40 (generating means, position determining means, adjustment image output means, acquiring means, change content determining means), and the like. It has In the image forming apparatus 1, the medium M stored in the medium feeding section 10 is conveyed along a predetermined conveying path to the forming operation section 20 under the control of the control section 40, and an image is recorded. It is later discharged to the medium discharge section 30 .

The medium supply unit 10 sends the media M stored inside to the forming operation unit 20 one by one.
As the medium M, in addition to various thicknesses of printing paper, there are various types of media such as cells, films, and fabrics.

The medium supply unit 10 has a supply tray 11 that stores the medium M and a feeder board 12 that conveys the medium M from the supply tray 11 to the forming operation unit 20 . The supply tray 11 is a plate-like member on which one or a plurality of media M can be placed. The supply tray 11 is provided to move up and down according to the amount of media M placed on the supply tray 11, and is held at a position where the uppermost medium M is transported by the feeder board 12 in the vertical movement direction. be done.
The feeder board 12 includes a transport mechanism for transporting the medium M on the belt 123 by driving a ring-shaped belt 123 supported by a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 121 and 122 on the inner side, and a transport mechanism for transporting the medium M on the supply tray 11 . It has a supply section that transfers the topmost medium M placed onto the belt 123 . The feeder board 12 conveys the medium M transferred onto the belt 123 by the supply unit along the belt 123 .

The forming operation section 20 includes an image forming drum 21, a delivery unit 22, a drum heater 231, a head unit 24 (ejection operation section), an irradiation section 25, an imaging section 26, a delivery section 27, and the like.

The image forming drum 21 has a cylindrical outer shape, carries a maximum of three sheets of media M on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and transports the media M according to the rotational movement about the central axis of the cylinder. take action.

The transfer unit 22 transfers the medium M transferred from the medium supply section 10 to the image forming drum 21 . The delivery unit 22 includes a swing arm portion 221 that carries one end of the medium M transported by the feeder board 12, a cylindrical delivery drum 222 that delivers the medium M carried by the swing arm portion 221 to the image forming drum 21, and the like. The medium M on the feeder board 12 is picked up by the swing arm 221 and transferred to the transfer drum 222 to guide the medium M along the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 and to be received by the image forming drum 21. hand over.

The drum heater 231 is positioned near the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 and heats the outer peripheral surface and the medium M. Here, the drum heater 231 is provided between the transfer position of the medium M to the image forming drum 21 by the transfer unit 22 and the image forming position on the medium M by the head unit 24 in the rotation direction of the image forming drum 21 . ing. The outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 is heated by the drum heater 231 to bring the medium M to an appropriate temperature. As a result, when the ink lands on the medium M, the curing speed of the medium M can be appropriately maintained, and a high-quality image can be stably recorded. An infrared heater, for example, is used for the drum heater 231 .

The head unit 24 has a surface (nozzle opening surface) that faces one image formation target surface of the medium M that moves according to the rotation of the image forming drum 21 in the head unit 24 . An image is formed by ejecting droplets of ink from a plurality of nozzle openings provided in the medium M at appropriate timing and landing them on the image formation target surface of the medium M. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of head units 24 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the medium M, here four head units corresponding to each of the four colors of ink. The four head units 24 here output C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks, respectively. These inks may undergo a phase change between a sol state and a gel state depending on temperature, and may be cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, for example. Inks of this type are often in a gel state at room temperature and become a sol state upon heating. Therefore, the ink is heated and maintained at an appropriate temperature inside and/or outside the head unit 24 by the ink heater 232 (see FIG. 3) to be in a sol state.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the ink ejection surface of the head unit 24. FIG.
Each of the head units 24 has, for example, a plurality of recording heads 240 in the width direction (first direction) perpendicular to the transport direction (second direction) of the medium M transported on the image forming drum 21 . . The nozzles N belong to one of the recording heads 240 in approximately the same number. On the bottom surface of the recording head 240, a plurality of openings of the nozzles N are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. It covers an image forming width of M (that is, if the nozzles N are arranged at appropriate intervals in the width direction, the positions of the openings of the nozzles N may be dispersed at a plurality of locations in the transport direction). This makes it possible to form an image in a single pass by ejecting ink onto the medium M from the nozzle openings to record dots while moving (relatively moving) the medium M in the transport direction. Unit 24 is the line head.

The irradiation unit 25 irradiates energy rays (electromagnetic waves) with a predetermined wavelength, here, ultraviolet rays in the near-ultraviolet region (wavelength of about 400 nm), and irradiates ink ejected from the head unit 24 and landed on the medium M (that is, The image formed by the ink dots is cured and fixed. The irradiation unit 25 has, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED 251) that emits ultraviolet rays, and applies a voltage to the LED 251 to cause it to emit light and emit ultraviolet rays. The irradiation unit 25 is located downstream of a position where ink ejected from the head unit 24 lands on the medium M conveyed by the rotation of the image forming drum 21 and upstream of a position where the medium M is delivered to the delivery unit 27 . Ink is fixed on the medium M side, that is, the medium M is positioned so as to be able to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

In addition, the structure which emits an ultraviolet-ray in the irradiation part 25 is not restricted to LED. The irradiation unit 25 may have, for example, a mercury lamp. Further, when the ink has a property of being cured by receiving energy rays other than ultraviolet rays, various light sources emitting energy rays of wavelengths for curing the ink are provided instead of the above-described configuration for emitting ultraviolet rays.

The imaging unit 26 images the surface of the medium M on which ink droplets have landed from the head unit 24 and the ink has been fixed by the irradiation unit 25 . The imaging unit 26 has, for example, a line sensor having a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The entire image forming range on the surface of the medium M can be imaged by taking a one-dimensional image of the medium M transported by the operation of the transport unit in the width direction at an appropriate timing. The imaging unit 26 is capable of, for example, capturing images in each of the RGB wavelength bands, and selects image data in any one of the wavelength bands as necessary, or combines these image data to perform inspection processing or an offset described later. It can be used to set numbers.

The delivery section 27 conveys the medium M to the medium discharge section 30 after the image forming operation is completed and the ink that has landed is cured. The delivery section 27 has a cylindrical transfer roller 271, a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 272 and 273, a ring-shaped belt 274 supported by the rollers 272 and 273 on the inner surface, and the like. The transfer roller 271 receives the medium M from the image forming drum 21 and guides it onto the belt 274 . The delivery unit 27 conveys the medium M delivered from the delivery roller 271 onto the belt 274 to the medium ejection unit 30 by moving the medium M together with the belt 274 that circulates with the rotation of the rollers 272 and 273 .

The medium ejection section 30 stores the medium M delivered from the forming operation section 20 by the delivery section 27 until it is taken out by the user. The medium ejection section 30 has a plate-like ejection tray 31 and the like, and the medium M on which the image is formed is placed on the ejection tray 31 .

The control unit 40 controls the operations of the medium supply unit 10, the forming operation unit 20, and the medium ejection unit 30, and prints data on the medium M according to the data of the image to be formed and the settings related to the image forming operation according to the image forming command (job). to form an image.

Among the components described above, the image forming drum 21, the transfer unit 22, and the delivery section 27 constitute the moving means of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a head unit 24, an irradiation unit 25, an imaging unit 26, a control unit 40, a heating unit 23, a transport driving unit 29, a storage unit 42 (storage means), a communication unit 51, It includes a display unit 52 and an operation reception unit 53 (operation reception means).

The control unit 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 402, and the like. A CPU 401 is a hardware processor that performs various types of arithmetic processing. The RAM 402 provides working memory space for the CPU 401 and stores temporary data.

The storage unit 42 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores various setting data, programs 421, and the like. The program 421 includes a processing program related to missing complement processing, which will be described later. The setting data includes a malfunctioning nozzle list 422, offset rate data 423, and the like.

The transport drive unit 29 operates each unit that performs a transport operation of the medium M, such as the image forming drum 21 . The transport drive unit 29 outputs a drive signal to each unit related to the transport operation based on the control signal output from the control unit 40 .

The heating unit 23 has an ink heater 232 and the like in addition to the drum heater 231 described above. The ink heater 232 heats and maintains the ink supplied from an ink supply unit (not shown) (ink tank, etc.), stored in the head unit 24, and sent to each nozzle N, etc., within a predetermined set temperature range. Maintains a sol state with a reasonable viscosity. The temperature of the ink and the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 are measured by a temperature measuring unit (not shown), such as a thermistor, and whether the drum heater 231 and the ink heater 232 are operating or not is determined based on the measurement results. It should be controlled. In the operation control, ON/OFF switching may be simply performed according to the measured value, or control processing based on known technology such as PID control may be performed.

The head unit 24 has a head driving section 241, nozzles N, and the like. The head drive unit 241 has an electromechanical conversion element P, and outputs an electrical signal that deforms the electromechanical conversion element P in a predetermined deformation mode, direction, and size. The electromechanical conversion element P deforms an ink supply path (in particular, a pressure chamber) communicating with the nozzle N by deforming according to an electric signal, and is provided corresponding to each nozzle N. The electromechanical conversion element P is, for example, a piezo element. A set of the electromechanical conversion element P and the nozzle N constitutes the recording element R of this embodiment.

The waveform of the electrical signal (voltage) that the head driving section 241 outputs to the electromechanical transducer P is not particularly limited here. That is, the waveform may be rectangular or trapezoidal. The output timing is, for example, synchronized with the output period of a predetermined clock signal. In each output cycle, whether or not to output a waveform signal for ejecting each ink to the electromechanical conversion element P according to the data indicating whether or not each nozzle is ejecting, which is generated based on the image data to be formed. can be switched.

The irradiation unit 25 has the LED 251 as described above, and selectively lights the LED 251 while the area where the ink has landed on the medium M passes through the irradiation range.

The transport drive unit 29 has a rotary motor and the like, and rotates the components related to the transport movement of the medium M, such as the image forming drum 21 and rollers, at a rotational speed corresponding to an appropriate transport speed of the medium M. .

The communication unit 51 controls signal exchange with the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 . The communication unit 51 has, for example, a network card, etc., and transmits and receives signals to and from the outside according to a predetermined communication standard. Examples of the predetermined communication standard include TCP/IP related to LAN. Further, the communication unit 51 may have a predetermined connection terminal, for example, one of various USB connection terminals, and may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving data to and from a peripheral device via a USB cable or the like. .

The display unit 52 performs various displays under the control of the control unit 40 . The display unit 52 has, for example, a liquid crystal screen, etc., and can appropriately display menus and statuses of the image forming operation. The liquid crystal display screen may be positioned so as to overlap the touch panel, and the control unit 40 may detect the operation content by associating the display content of the liquid crystal display screen with the detection position of the touch operation. The display screen is not limited to a liquid crystal display screen, and may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescent) screen or the like. Moreover, the display unit 52 may have an LED lamp or the like. The LED lamp may be used, for example, to notify the power supply status, the data transmission/reception status, and/or the occurrence of an operational abnormality.

Operation accepting portion 53 accepts an input operation from the outside such as a user and outputs the input operation to control portion 40 as an input signal. The operation reception unit 53 includes, for example, a touch panel, and outputs information on the detected position while detecting a touch operation. Further, the operation reception unit 53 may have a key operation reception unit such as a numeric keypad, a push button switch, and the like.

At least the control unit 40 among the above components is included in the processing apparatus of the present embodiment, and the storage unit 42, the operation receiving unit 53, and the like may be further included in the processing apparatus.

Next, the generation of the ejection data and the missing filling process related to the image forming operation setting method in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ejection data generation process. A part or all of these processes may be performed by a dedicated hardware circuit, or may be performed entirely by software using a CPU.

The ejection data is generated based on image data to be output. The image data is, for example, image data in which graphics (including character shapes, patterns, etc.) are represented by vectors. This image data is first rasterized and converted into array data (raster image data) of RGB values for each pixel (step S11). This array data is further converted (color-converted) into data in which ink colors, that is, CMYK gradation values are set (step S12). This image data (CMYK color image data, gradation data of each pixel) is subjected to adjustments such as shading correction and restriction of the total ink ejection amount (step S13), and then halftone processing (step S14). , is converted into a binary dot representation corresponding to the presence or absence of ink ejection at each transport position of each nozzle N (that is, the presence of ink ejection represents the distribution of dot positions) (position determination step, position determination means). If the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle N can be switched between a plurality of steps, each position may be represented by the number of steps corresponding to the number of steps (three steps if there are two steps of large and small droplets). . As a result, initial data of ejection data (operation setting data) is generated.

The nozzles N corresponding to the ejection data determined in this manner may include malfunctioning nozzles (malfunctioning recording elements) that cause malfunctions related to the ink ejection operation. If ink is ejected from the nozzle N including the malfunctioning nozzle using this initial ejection data as it is, the ink ejection from the malfunctioning nozzle will not be performed normally, resulting in an abnormality in the ink ejection amount/position of the corresponding portion. In particular, an area (white streak) where ink does not land continuously occurs along the width direction position corresponding to the nozzle N, resulting in a significant deterioration in the image quality of the output image. In order to reduce such deterioration in image quality, a missing complement process is performed to replace (complement) the ink set to be ejected by the malfunctioning nozzle with surrounding nozzles (functioning printing elements) (step S15). .

Based on the ejection data generated and adjusted in this manner, the head driving section 241 outputs a drive signal to each electromechanical conversion element P to control whether or not ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle N.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the missing complement processing of the present embodiment.
In the ejection data shown in FIG. 5A, the horizontal direction corresponds to the width direction, that is, nozzle N is defined. The vertical direction corresponds to the transport direction, and indicates whether or not ink is ejected from each nozzle N for each predetermined transport amount (time interval). That is, the two-dimensional matrix of ejection data represents dot positions in a two-dimensional plane. Although the length in the width direction and the length in the transport direction are shown to be equal here, these lengths may be different.

If the sixth nozzle N from the left in FIG. 5A is a malfunctioning nozzle, ink is not continuously ejected normally in the area Di along the vertical direction (conveyance direction) corresponding to this nozzle N. It will be. Therefore, in the missing complement process, the setting is changed so that the ink set to be ejected to this area Di is alternatively ejected by the left and right nozzles N, thereby making up for this.

As shown in FIG. 5B, there are four dot positions initially set within the area Di. The normal ink landing size is wider than the nozzle N interval or the ink ejection interval (distance between dot positions) in the transport direction, and ideally, the same number of ejections as the number of ejection settings that are canceled due to an operation error. A set number is assigned to the peripheral nozzles N, and the ink ejected by the peripheral nozzles N may completely cover the range where the ink ejected by the malfunctioning nozzle should land. The adjacent nozzle may not be able to completely cover the area Di due to a slight deviation within the normal range of the ejection direction of the ink from the nozzle or due to variations in the landing area. If white streaks or the like remain due to such an ink landing state, the image quality will continue to be significantly degraded. Therefore, in the missing complement process, more dot positions (the number of offsets per unit area, that is, the offset rate) than the number of dots assigned to the other nozzles N from the area Di are assigned.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, in addition to the four dot positions set in the area Di, four dot positions corresponding to the offset number are added to obtain seven dot positions. are allocated around. As in the conventional method, the dot positions originally set in the area Di are assigned priority in the width direction, and if these positions have already been set as dot positions, the adjacent dot positions are further assigned. can be assigned to the position of , front and rear positions in the conveying direction, and the like. When the droplet volume of ink to be ejected can be set in multiple stages, even if the dot position has already been set, the dot position for which the droplet volume ejection setting is not the maximum is set to a larger droplet volume. It may be possible to change the ejection setting to The assignment of the additionally set offset number may be appropriately set in a well-balanced manner so as not to be biased against other set dot positions. A conventionally well-known method may be used as the reference for setting these dot positions.

Next, the setting of the offset number will be described.
In general, a position where no ink is discharged causes greater density unevenness than when ink is discharged to the same position in duplicate. In particular, when the density (ejection ratio within a unit area) is medium, etc., and the ink droplets that originally landed from adjacent nozzles N do not connect (or overlap) where they connect (or overlap) on the medium M, the apparent The image becomes remarkably unnatural. As described above, the landing size of the ink droplets on the medium M is larger than the distance between the dot positions. When complementary ejection is performed by the next nozzle N, if the ejection direction deviates to the side opposite to the side to be supplemented or the landing size is small, as described above, the originally assumed connection or overlap may not occur. can occur.

That is, the setting of the appropriate offset number may change depending on the degree of variation in ejection direction, variation in landing size, and the like. These degrees may differ depending on the type of ink, the type of medium M on which an image is formed, and the like. Furthermore, the conspicuousness of density unevenness may vary depending on the specific type of halftone processing (error diffusion method, blue noise method, etc.). In the image forming apparatus 1, a test image is formed with a plurality of patterns with different offset numbers, and the offset number is determined based on the formation result of the test image. The image forming apparatus 1 outputs a test image (adjustment image) for obtaining a condition (setting condition) for setting the offset number as necessary, and acquires the setting condition based on the test image. , a process for determining the number of offsets is performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining a test image.
This test image includes a plurality of patch images, which are arranged two-dimensionally. Density, that is, the size of the dot recording rate (arrangement rate) (different arrangement rate) is determined in the conveying direction, and different ranges are set in the conveying direction for each arrangement rate. In the width direction, the test image has, for example, 5 rows of patch images. Of these columns, columns C2 and C4 show halftone images (first pattern images) with a uniform layout ratio according to the position in the transport direction. In rows C1, C3, and C5, predetermined nozzles N are assumed to be defective nozzles (defective recording elements) that do not eject ink (with an arrangement ratio of zero) as pseudo malfunctioning nozzles for these halftone images. Then, the dot position for the missing nozzle (placement rate at the position (missing position) in the width direction corresponding to the missing nozzle) is complemented with a complement rate that adds a different offset rate according to the range in the width direction ( That is, it is an image (second pattern image) that has undergone settings for distributing dot positions to the periphery. In each of the patch images related to the second pattern image, not one missing nozzle, but a plurality of missing nozzles (here, two are exemplified) are set periodically (at predetermined intervals), and the same complementary setting is set a plurality of times. It may be done several times.

Here, among the second pattern images, three images P21 to P23 having different arrangement ratios have the least conspicuous density unevenness. In this way, from the formation (output) results of the test image, the optimum density unevenness for each arrangement ratio, that is, the number of offsets in which streaks are not conspicuous for each density value is specified.

As described above, each of the second pattern images is arranged so that at least one of the left and right second pattern images is adjacent to the first pattern image having the same layout ratio for reference. This makes it possible to easily compare and judge the degree of divergence of the second pattern image from the normal output. In addition, in image formation by a line head, variations on a larger spatial scale, for example, variations among the recording heads 240, often appear larger and more conspicuous than variations among individual nozzles N. FIG. Therefore, it is preferable to have the first pattern image to be compared in the vicinity of the second pattern image, if possible, in the image forming range of the same recording head 240 .

Also, the range in the width direction of the second pattern image may be set in a random order with respect to the size of the offset number (complement rate). Similar to the above, the temperature distribution in the head unit 24 can have a relatively large effect on the variation in ink ejection characteristics among the print heads 240 . In general, the temperature in the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the head unit 24 tends to be high, and the temperature tends to decrease toward the ends. With many inks, the viscosity increases when the temperature is low, which leads to a decrease in the ejection speed and the amount of ejected droplets, and is likely to lead to a reduction in the impact range after impact. The random order avoids such effects systematically affecting the determination of the optimum number of offsets.

In the above description, patch images are formed for five types of dot arrangement ratios and three types of offset numbers, but the number of stages of patch images may be set arbitrarily. In addition, when the range in which the optimum offset number is expected differs depending on the type of medium M, the type of ink, the type of halftone processing, etc., the range of offset number (complement rate) and/or arrangement rate (density gradation) may be changed for each condition related to these types. These types of information may be automatically determined by the control unit 40 based on information held in advance, or may be selected through an input operation to the operation reception unit 53 by a user or the like. good. Also, each patch image may not be formed across a plurality of print heads 240 . Also, a test image may be formed for each recording head 240 .

The identification of the optimum offset number (acquisition of selection conditions) may be automatically performed by the imaging unit 26 capturing a test image, or the user visually identifies the formed image, and the identification result is sent to the operation reception unit. 53 may be input. When the identification is performed automatically, the average luminance value or the converted (or Directly measured chromaticity (e.g., lightness L*) difference values or the like may be calculated, and the offset number may be specified based on data of the difference values (difference data). Also, the optimum number of offsets along the user's vision may be identified based on a visual transfer function or the like.

If the nozzles N included in the patch image formation range already include malfunctioning nozzles, the malfunctioning nozzles may be directly determined as missing nozzles. Alternatively, when the number of malfunctioning nozzles is small, the patch images may be arranged so that the malfunctioning nozzles are excluded from the patch image formation range. Along with this, the intervals between the plurality of patch images in the width direction may not be uniform. Alternatively, when a completely fixed test image is formed each time, drive data for outputting the test image may be stored in the storage unit 42 in advance.

The above test image is formed for each ink type (dot color type), and the process of specifying the optimum offset number for each gradation value is repeated. Also, when different media M are supplied, a test image is formed for each type of medium M as well.
When the offset number (setting condition) is obtained in this way, the dot position related to complementation by the surrounding normal nozzles N (printing elements) is replaced with the dot position set for the malfunctioning nozzle according to the offset number. is adjusted by the number corresponding to the offset number.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the control procedure of the missing complement process called in the ejection data generation process of FIG. Here, description will be given assuming that the CPU 401 executes the missing complement processing by software.
When the missing complement process is called, the CPU 401 acquires information on the type of the medium M (step S101). The CPU 401 acquires the malfunctioning nozzle list 422 (step S102).

The CPU 401 determines the types of the acquired medium M and ink, and whether or not it is necessary to form a test image for the malfunctioning nozzle (step S103). If it is determined that formation of the test image is not necessary ("NO" in step S103), the processing of CPU 401 proceeds to step S107.

If it is determined that test image formation is necessary ("YES" in step S103), the formation range of each patch image is set based on the position information of the malfunctioning nozzle (step S104). The CPU 401 causes the head unit 24 to form a test image including each set patch image (first pattern image and second pattern image) (step S105; adjustment image output step, adjustment image output means).

The CPU 401 identifies the optimum offset number for each arrangement ratio and each ink type (step S106; obtaining step, obtaining means). As described above, the identification of the offset number may be performed automatically based on the analysis processing of the test image captured by the imaging unit 26, or the identification result based on the visual observation of the test image by the user. It may be done in response to an input operation. When accepting the user's input operation, the CPU 401 may cause the display unit 52 to display the input screen after forming the test image, and wait until the input operation is performed. The specified result is stored in the offset rate data 423 . Then, the processing of CPU 401 proceeds to step S107.

After proceeding to step S107, the CPU 401 acquires the offset number according to the gradation value, medium type, and ink type, and sets the corrected dot number for each set range (step S107). The CPU 401 sets the substitute dot position to the peripheral dot position for each set range (step S108; change content determination step, change content determination means). Then, the CPU 401 terminates the lack complement processing and returns the processing to the ejection data generation processing.

The process of specifying the number of offsets that accompanies the formation of the test image need not be performed every time the image is formed. The offset number once specified may be repeatedly used multiple times for the same ink type and the same medium M type. For example, if the effective offset number has not been specified for the combination of the ink type and the medium M type (new ink, medium, etc.), the offset number specifying process is determined in advance from the previous specifying process. It may be performed when the image forming operation is performed the specified number of times (number of sheets), when a predetermined time has passed since the previous specific process, or when an execution command is acquired by the user's input operation. Also, in this case, the process of forming the test image and specifying the number of offsets is not limited to being performed as part of the missing complement process. It may be performed separately from the missing complement processing.

As described above, the processing device of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes the control section 40 . The control unit 40, as a generation unit, forms dots with a plurality of recording elements R arranged in the width direction, and relatively moves the medium M and the plurality of recording elements R in a transport direction that intersects (perpendicularly) with the width direction. Operation setting data relating to dot forming operation by a plurality of recording elements R for forming an image by operation is generated. The control unit 40 as a generating unit further determines the dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements R based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed, and outputs an image for adjustment as a position determining unit. As a means, a plurality of recording elements R are caused to output test images for obtaining setting conditions for complementing dot positions determined for malfunctioning recording elements set as recording elements R that do not normally record dots. , as acquisition means, acquires setting conditions based on the output adjustment image, and as change content determination means, determines dot positions related to complementation by normal recording elements R other than malfunctioning recording elements based on the setting conditions. . The test image includes a plurality of first pattern images with different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the transport direction, and a plurality of first pattern images with different arrangement ratios in different width direction ranges. The arrangement ratio at the missing position corresponding to the defective recording element (missing nozzle) which is predetermined not to print dots in one pattern image is set to zero, and is included in the setting condition for the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. It includes a plurality of second pattern images that have undergone a complementing process of distributing dot positions around missing positions with a complementing rate that includes an offset rate.
In this way, the appearance of unevenness and streaks varies depending on the nozzle N (printing element R). By arranging these in the transport direction so that the pattern image of 2) can be formed, the appropriate offset number is appropriately specified for each arrangement ratio to suppress the deterioration of fine image quality such as the occurrence of white streaks due to the above variation. be able to. Therefore, with this processing device, it is possible to generate ejection data that more appropriately suppresses deterioration in image quality.

Also, the test images are arranged so that the first pattern image is positioned next to at least one of the second pattern images in the width direction. By easily comparing these, it is possible to easily visually recognize faint white streaks and density unevenness in the second pattern image, so that it is easy to determine the optimum offset number. In addition, in the range of nozzles N that are far apart, it is possible to be affected by large changes in the ink ejection characteristics within the head unit 24, so local deterioration in image quality can be easily identified.

The second pattern image has a plurality of missing positions at predetermined intervals in the width direction, and the plurality of missing positions are complemented at the same complement rate according to the position in the transport direction. ing. In this way, by providing a plurality of missing positions, not only the unevenness at a specific point, but also the tendency of average unevenness in the range can be obtained, so the degree of adjustment can be optimized. can do.

In addition, the complement ratios of the plurality of second pattern images (columns C1, C3, C5) arranged in the width direction are determined in a random order with respect to the arrangement order of the plurality of second pattern images. This reduces the influence of changes in the ejection characteristics that can occur in the head unit 24 at large intervals in the width direction, and makes it easier to specify the optimum complement rate (offset number) for each arrangement rate (density gradation). can be done.

Further, the control unit 40, as an acquisition unit, acquires the setting conditions based on the difference data between the formed first pattern image and the second pattern image. By taking the difference, the difference corresponding to the presence or absence of missing nozzles can be easily quantitatively evaluated, so that the control unit 40 can easily specify the amount and location of occurrence of uneven density, particularly white streaks, caused by the difference. can.

Further, the control unit 40, as the adjustment image output means, determines at least one of the range in which the arrangement rate is varied and the range in which the complement rate is varied according to the type of the medium M on which the test image is to be output. Since the manner in which the dots are spread varies depending on the material of the medium M, etc., by forming the second pattern image in which the ranges of the arrangement rate and the complement rate are varied according to the type of sparseness, the dots are made wider than necessary. It is no longer necessary to uniformly form test images in which the arrangement ratio and complement ratio are varied within a range, and ejection data capable of efficiently and appropriately suppressing deterioration in image quality can be obtained.

Further, the control unit 40, as adjustment image output means, outputs a test image for each of the plurality of dot color types. Since the spread and appearance of dots differ for each color of ink, etc., and the nozzles N for recording the dots also differ, by outputting test images separately for each, the deterioration of the image quality of the entire color image can be suppressed. Ejection data that can be obtained.

The plurality of recording elements R belong to one of the plurality of recording heads 240, respectively, and the control section 40, as adjustment image output means, causes each recording head 240 to output a test image. In terms of manufacturing, the variation in ejection characteristics for each recording head 240 is likely to be greater than other variation factors in characteristics. This makes it easier to judge the state of image quality deterioration such as white streaks in the second pattern image. In addition, by obtaining the offset number for each print head 240, it is possible to output ejection data in which deterioration of image quality is suppressed more appropriately.

The processing device also includes an operation reception unit 53 . As adjustment image output means, the control unit 40 can output first pattern images of a plurality of different patterns (types of halftone processing) and second pattern images based on the first pattern images. and outputs a test image including a first pattern image based on a pattern selected according to the content of the input operation received by the operation receiving unit 53 and a second pattern image based on the first pattern image. In this way, it is possible to output a test image for each pattern that may have different dot recording characteristics, and the user selects a test image pattern according to the image to be formed, thereby more accurately suppressing deterioration in image quality. It becomes possible to specify an appropriate offset amount for .

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of recording elements R arranged in the width direction for recording dots, a moving means for relatively moving the plurality of recording elements R and the medium M in the conveying direction, and the above processing. and a control unit 40 as a device. According to this image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to more appropriately suppress deterioration of the image than in the conventional art by using the ejection data obtained based on the image data of the image to be formed.

Further, the image forming operation setting method of the present embodiment includes an operation of forming dots with a plurality of recording elements R arranged in the width direction, and relative movement of the medium M and the plurality of recording elements R in the transport direction intersecting the width direction. and a generation step of generating operation setting data (ejection data) relating to dot formation operations by a plurality of recording elements R for forming an image. This generation step is a position determining step for determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by a plurality of recording elements R based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed. an adjustment image output step for outputting a test image from a plurality of printing elements for obtaining setting conditions for complementing dot positions determined for the malfunctioning printing element, setting conditions based on the output test image; and a change content determination step of determining dot positions for complementation by normal recording elements R other than malfunctioning recording elements based on the set conditions.
The test image includes a plurality of first pattern images with different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the transport direction, and a plurality of first pattern images with different arrangement ratios in different width direction ranges. Assuming that the arrangement ratio at the missing position corresponding to the defective recording element (missing nozzle) that is predetermined not to print dots in one pattern image is zero, the arrangement ratio for the missing position is included in the above setting conditions. It includes a plurality of second pattern images that have undergone a complementing process of distributing dot positions around the missing position at a complementing rate obtained by adding an offset rate to the second pattern image.
By outputting such a test image and specifying the optimum complement ratio (offset number), according to this image forming operation setting method, it is possible to obtain an image to be formed in which deterioration in image quality is suppressed more appropriately. can.

Further, by installing the program 421 related to the image forming operation setting method as described above and executing it by the control unit 40 (CPU 401), deterioration in image quality can be suppressed more easily than before without requiring special hardware. It is possible to generate ejection data for forming an image with the

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiments, halftone processing is used to generate ejection data corresponding to binary values or the number of ink droplet size steps, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, a well-known method such as a dither method may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the width direction, which is the direction in which the nozzles N are arranged, is orthogonal to the direction in which the medium M is conveyed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to form an image in the same way even if they intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the second pattern image has been described as being adjacent to the first pattern image, but this is not necessarily the case. The first pattern image is positioned, for example, at one end, both ends, or in the center in the width direction, and is located only in about 1 to 2 rows, and the second pattern image is not adjacent to the first pattern image. There may be columns.

Further, the complement rate (offset rate) may be changed in ascending order or descending order according to the order of the second pattern image columns. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the offset rate according to the number of dot positions when visual determination is performed.

Further, the number of missing nozzle rows in the patch image is not limited to one or to be positioned periodically at predetermined intervals. Multiple rows may be arranged at irregular intervals.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a line head in which a plurality of recording heads 240 are arranged in the width direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The recording head 240 may be single. Further, a scan-type image forming apparatus in which the head unit 24 scans the medium M may be used. Also, the medium M does not have to be transported by the image forming drum 21 . The medium M may be conveyed on a plane. Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as having inks of four colors CMYK. good too. Alternatively, the same color inks having different components, such as two types of black, may be ejected.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is described as being an inkjet recording apparatus. Missing completion processing can be applied depending on the content.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ejection data generation process including the missing complement process is described as being performed by the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. Substantial processing may be performed by an external terminal device and information may be exchanged with the image forming apparatus 1 . Further, the ejection data generation process may be distributed and executed by a plurality of electronic devices or the like.

In the above description, the storage unit 42 made of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is used as an example of a computer-readable medium for storing the program 421 related to the ejection data generation control of the present invention. It is not limited to these. As other computer-readable media, it is possible to apply other non-volatile memories such as HDDs, EEPROMs and MRAMs, and portable recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD discs. A carrier wave is also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.
In addition, the specific configurations, contents and procedures of processing operations, etc. shown in the above embodiments can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

1 Image Forming Apparatus 10 Medium Supply Section 11 Supply Tray 12 Feeder Boards 121, 122 Roller 123 Belt 20 Forming Operation Section 21 Image Forming Drum 22 Transfer Unit 221 Swing Arm Section 222 Transfer Drum 23 Heating Section 231 Drum Heater 232 Ink Heater 24 Head Unit 240 recording head 241 head driving unit 25 irradiation unit 26 imaging unit 27 delivery unit 271 transfer rollers 272, 273 roller 274 belt 29 transport driving unit 30 medium discharge unit 31 discharge tray 40 control unit 401 CPU
402 RAMs
42 storage unit 421 program 422 malfunctioning nozzle list 423 offset rate data 51 communication unit 52 display unit 53 operation receiving unit M medium N nozzle P electromechanical conversion element R recording element

Claims (12)

The method for forming an image by an operation of forming dots by a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction and an operation of relatively moving the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction intersecting the first direction. generating means for generating operation setting data relating to dot forming operations by a plurality of recording elements;
The generating means is
position determining means for determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output means for
acquisition means for acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
change content determining means for determining the dot position related to the supplementation by the normal recording element other than the malfunctioning recording element based on the setting condition;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. a second pattern image of . 2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment image is such that the first pattern image is positioned next to at least one of the second pattern images in the first direction. The second pattern image has a plurality of missing positions at predetermined intervals in the first direction, and the complementing process is performed on each of the plurality of missing positions at the complementation rate. 3. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Claims 1 to 1, wherein the complement rate for the plurality of second pattern images arranged in the first direction is determined in a random order with respect to the arrangement order of the plurality of second pattern images. 4. The processing apparatus according to any one of 3. 5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said obtaining means obtains said setting condition based on difference data between said formed first pattern image and said second pattern image. Processing equipment as described. 3. The adjustment image output means determines at least one of a range in which the arrangement rate is varied and a range in which the complement rate is varied according to a type of medium for outputting the adjustment image. 6. The processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. 7. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment image output means outputs the adjustment image for each of the plurality of dot color types. the plurality of recording elements each belong to one of a plurality of recording heads,
The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjustment image output means outputs the adjustment image for each recording head. Equipped with operation reception means,
The adjustment image output means is capable of outputting the first pattern images of a plurality of patterns different from each other and the second pattern images based on the first pattern images, and the operation receiving means accepts and outputting the adjustment image including the first pattern image based on a pattern selected according to the content of the input operation and the second pattern image based on the first pattern image. 9. The processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 8. a plurality of recording elements arranged in the first direction and recording dots;
moving means for relatively moving the plurality of recording elements and the medium in the second direction;
A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The method for forming an image by an operation of forming dots by a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction and an operation of relatively moving the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction intersecting the first direction. including a generation step of generating operation setting data related to dot formation operations by a plurality of recording elements;
The generating step includes:
a position determination step of determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output step for
an acquisition step of acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
a change content determination step of determining the dot positions related to the supplementation by the normal recording elements other than the malfunctioning recording elements based on the setting conditions;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. A method for setting an image forming operation, comprising: a second pattern image of To form an image by causing the computer to form dots using a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction, and to relatively move the medium and the plurality of recording elements in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. functioning as generating means for generating operation setting data relating to the dot forming operation by the plurality of recording elements;
The generating means is
position determining means for determining dot positions where dots are to be recorded by the plurality of recording elements based on the gradation data of each pixel of the image to be formed;
Adjustment for outputting an adjustment image from the plurality of recording elements for obtaining a setting condition for complementing the dot positions determined for the malfunctioning recording elements set as the recording elements in which dots are not normally recorded. image output means for
acquisition means for acquiring the setting condition based on the output adjustment image;
change content determining means for determining the dot position related to the supplementation by the normal recording element other than the malfunctioning recording element based on the setting condition;
has
The image for adjustment is
including a plurality of first pattern images having different dot position arrangement ratios in different ranges in the second direction;
Missing positions corresponding to defective recording elements previously determined not to record dots in the first pattern image having the arrangement ratio corresponding to the range in the second direction, in ranges different from each other in the first direction. with the arrangement ratio set to zero, and performing a complementation process of distributing the dot positions around the missing position with a complementation ratio obtained by adding the offset ratio included in the setting condition to the arrangement ratio related to the missing position. A program comprising: a second pattern image of

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