JP4168573B2 - Adjustment of misalignment between dots formed at different timings - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjustment of a deviation of a formation position between dots formed at different timings.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, inkjet printers that perform printing by ejecting ink from a print head have become widespread as output devices for computers. Ink jet printers are of a type that forms dots on a print medium by ejecting a plurality of colors of ink while reciprocating a print head with respect to the print medium as main scanning. Furthermore, in order to improve the printing speed, there is a type in which dots are formed by both reciprocation of main scanning (bidirectional printing).
[0003]
In these printers, in order to print high-quality images, when there are multiple nozzles with different positions in the main scanning direction, the ink ejection timing is adjusted so that dots are formed at predetermined positions. Has been. Further, when performing bidirectional printing, dots formed during the forward movement of the main scan (hereinafter referred to as forward dots) and dots formed during the backward movement (hereinafter referred to as backward dots) are respectively predetermined. The ink ejection timing is adjusted so that the ink is formed at the position. This adjustment is performed using a predetermined test pattern.
[0004]
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a test pattern for adjusting the conventional dot deviation. This test pattern is for adjusting the deviation of the formation positions of forward and backward dots in bidirectional printing. In the test pattern shown in FIG. 23, vertical ruled lines (upper ruled lines) with forward dots are printed according to a predetermined timing signal. Further, the vertical ruled lines (lower ruled lines) of the ruled line numbers 1, 2, 3,... By reverse dots are printed according to timing signals that are stepwise shifted from predetermined timing signals for forming forward dots. Note that the vertical ruled lines formed by the forward dots and the vertical ruled lines formed by the reverse dots are printed so that the positions in the main scanning direction partially overlap. In the ruled line numbers 1 and 2, the backward dot is shifted to the side (right in this figure) that lands earlier than the ruled line formed by the forward dot because the print head drive timing is early. In the ruled line number 3, the ruled line by the forward dot and the ruled line by the reverse dot are the same. In addition, after ruled line number 4, since the print head drive timing is gradually delayed, the backward dot is shifted toward the landing side (left in this drawing) gradually with respect to the forward dot. The user selects the ruled line number ("3" in FIG. 23) where the positions of these vertical ruled lines are the best, and ejects ink at the drive timing of the print head corresponding to the ruled line number. adjust. In the present specification, the term “ink ejection timing” and the term “print head driving timing” are synonymous.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the vertical ruled line test pattern shown in FIG. 23 tends to make it difficult to discriminate dot deviation, and there is a problem that the adjustment accuracy of the relative deviation of the formation position between dots is insufficient.
[0006]
In recent years, in order to realize high-quality printing, dot miniaturization has been performed. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to accurately adjust the deviation of dot formation positions. In particular, in a printer oriented toward high image quality, it is impossible to overlook the deterioration in image quality due to this slight shift.
[0007]
When bidirectional printing is performed, a slight shift in dot formation position often greatly affects image quality. For example, consider a print head having a characteristic in which dots are formed to be shifted to the left side of the original position in the forward path when performing main scanning to the left and right. In the return pass, the dots are formed on the right side of the original position due to the characteristics of the print head. As a result, when bi-directional printing is performed, the relative deviation between the dots formed in the forward path and the dots formed in the backward path is a deviation that occurs when dots are formed only in either the forward path or the backward path. Doubled. Therefore, in bidirectional printing, image quality is greatly degraded due to the presence of dots whose formation positions cannot be adjusted sufficiently. This is because if the relative displacement of the formation positions occurs between a plurality of dots, the image becomes rough and the image quality is degraded.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a technique for improving the print image quality by accurately adjusting the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots formed at different timings. For the purpose.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the present invention employs the following means.
The first print control apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a first dot and a second dot formed at different timings in a printing unit that performs printing by forming dots on a print medium by the print head. A printing control apparatus that prints a test pattern for adjusting a deviation of a formation position between dots,
The test pattern is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed in a predetermined area at a predetermined recording rate, and a ratio of a portion where the first dots and the second dots are arranged in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction However, the gist of the present invention is that the test pattern is significantly more than the ratio of the portions where the first dots or the second dots are arranged.
[0010]
The test pattern used in the present invention is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed in a predetermined area at a predetermined recording rate. The patch-like pattern significantly affects the print image quality (roughness) when the dot formation position is shifted. Therefore, it is possible to determine the graininess due to the relative shift in the formation position between dots from the graininess of a certain area. For this reason, it is easier to discriminate dot deviation compared to the conventional ruled line pattern. Note that the phrase “with a predetermined recording rate in a predetermined area” is not limited to the case where dots having a constant recording rate are formed in a predetermined area. Therefore, the test pattern may be a pattern in which the recording rate changes stepwise. Further, it may be a pattern in which the recording rate is gradually changed (gradation).
[0011]
In the test pattern used in the present invention, the proportion of the first and second dots arranged in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction is the ratio of the first dots or the second dots arranged. The test pattern is significantly more than the ratio. In completing the present invention, when the first dot and the second dot formed at different timings are formed adjacent to each other, the present inventor determines that the formation position between these dots is relatively shifted. It was found that the granularity (roughness) of the printed image is conspicuous. Therefore, when there is a relative shift in the formation position between the dots, the portion where the roughness is conspicuous is significantly increased. For this reason, it is easy to determine dot deviation.
[0012]
As a result, the ink discharge timing can be adjusted to adjust the dot formation position with high accuracy, so that the print image quality can be improved.
[0013]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The first dot and the second dot may be dots formed by nozzles having different positions in the main scanning direction. The inks ejected from the nozzles having different positions in the main scanning direction may be the same color ink or inks having different hues.
[0014]
When dots are formed at the same position by ink ejected from nozzles having different positions in the main scanning direction, the ink ejection timing is adjusted according to the main scanning speed of the print head. In this case, the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy by applying the present invention.
[0015]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The first dot may be a forward dot formed when the print head moves in the main scan, and the second dot may be a return dot formed when the print head moves in the main scan. .
[0016]
In bidirectional printing, the relative slight shift in the formation position between forward and backward dots has an effect on print quality compared to unidirectional printing, which performs printing only during the main scan forward movement. Is big. In this case, by applying the present invention, the formation positions of the forward and backward dots can be adjusted with high accuracy, so that the print image quality can be improved particularly effectively.
[0017]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The test pattern may be a test pattern in which the first dots and the second dots are formed in a checkered arrangement.
[0018]
By using a test pattern in which the first dots and the second dots are arranged in a checkered pattern, it is easy to determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between the dots, and it is easy to adjust the ink ejection timing. can do. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0019]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The predetermined recording rate in the test pattern is preferably a recording rate corresponding to a halftone.
[0020]
Halftone, that is, an image with a gradation near the middle of the gradation range that can be reproduced by the printing apparatus, has a larger influence on the print image quality than a high gradation or low gradation image, and the graininess is more easily distinguished. . Therefore, by using a halftone image as a test pattern, the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, and the print image quality can be improved.
[0021]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The print head can eject inks of different hues,
In the test pattern, the first dot and the second dot are formed using inks of different hues, and the first dot and the second dot partially overlap each other It is good also as a test pattern formed by.
[0022]
When the first dot and the second dot having different hues partially overlap, a portion having a hue different from that of the first dots and the second dots is generated. Therefore, when the dot formation position shifts, the hue variation increases within the test pattern. By using dots formed with inks of different hues in the test pattern, it is possible to easily determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between the dots and to adjust the ink ejection timing. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0023]
In the printing control apparatus of the present invention,
The print head can eject inks of different hues,
The first dot is a forward dot formed during the forward movement of the main scanning of the print head,
The second dot is a return dot formed at the time of a backward movement of the main scan of the print head,
The test pattern may be a test pattern in which both the forward dot and the backward dot are formed using a plurality of colors of ink.
[0024]
In this way, in the test pattern, both forward and backward dots are formed using a plurality of colors of different colors, making it easy to determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between the dots. The discharge timing can be easily adjusted. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0025]
  The second printing control apparatus of the present invention is
  A print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a first dot and a second dot formed at different timings in a printing unit that performs printing by forming dots on a print medium by the print head. A printing control apparatus that prints a test pattern for adjusting a deviation of a formation position between dots,
  The test pattern is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed in a predetermined area at a predetermined recording rate.Approximately the same numberThe gist of the present invention is that the first dot and the second dot are mixed and formed with substantially the same dispersibility.
[0026]
  The test pattern used in the present invention is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed at a predetermined recording rate in a predetermined area.Approximately the same numberThis is a test pattern in which the first dots and the second dots are mixedly formed with substantially the same dispersibility. The inventor of the present invention also has a first dot and a second dot formed at different timings.Approximately the same numberIt has been found that when they are formed in a mixture with substantially the same dispersibility, the roughness is likely to be noticeable when the formation positions between these dots are shifted. Even with such a test pattern, it is possible to easily determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots, and to easily adjust the ink ejection timing. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved. Note that “substantially over the whole” means that the conditions regarding dispersibility and ratio may not be satisfied in a very small area. Also,"Approximately the same number"The first dot and the second dot" mean that the first dot and the second dot do not have to be exactly the same number.
[0027]
  The third print control apparatus of the present invention is
  A printing unit comprising a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and performing printing by forming dots on the print medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning of the printing head relative to the printing medium A printing control device for controlling
  A print mode setting section for setting the print mode;
  In the print mode setting unit, when a test pattern mode for printing a predetermined test pattern is set as the print mode, unlike all print modes other than the test pattern mode, other than the test pattern mode The test pattern is printed by performing main scanning and sub-scanning with the driving of the print head dedicated to the test pattern and the sub-scan feed amount, in which the dot roughness is more conspicuous than when all the printing modes are set. A printing control unit for controlling the printing unit,,
The print control unit
When the test pattern mode is set, the dots formed by the main scanning in the forward direction and the main scanning in the backward direction are arranged in the pixel row in which the pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction and the pixel row in which the pixels are arranged in the sub scanning direction. The printing unit is controlled to print the predetermined test pattern by forming the dots to be formed side by side every other pixel,
When a print mode other than the test pattern mode is set, only a dot that forms a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction or a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the backward scanning direction, or the main scanning in the forward direction, or The printing unit is controlled to perform printing by forming only by dots formed by the main scanning in the backward direction.This is the gist.
[0028]
In general, the arrangement of the first and second dots filling the printing area varies depending on the driving of the print head during printing and the sub-scan feed amount. The inventor has found that, depending on this arrangement, when the dot formation position is deviated, there is an aspect in which the roughness is easily noticeable and there is an aspect in which the appearance is relatively inconspicuous. From the viewpoint of improving the print image quality, it is desirable to make the texture less noticeable when printing normal characters or natural images. On the other hand, when printing a test pattern, it is desirable to have a mode in which roughness is conspicuous. In the above-described configuration, the two conditions can be made compatible by properly using the main scanning and sub-scanning modes depending on whether or not the test pattern is printed. The main scanning and sub-scanning modes mean the drive of the print head and the sub-scan feed amount, and may be referred to as “dot recording method” or “recording method” in this specification.
[0029]
In addition to the configuration as the above-described print control apparatus, the present invention
A printing unit comprising a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and performing printing by forming dots on a print medium by the print head;
The above printing control device;
Can be configured as a printing apparatus.
[0030]
Further, the present invention can also be configured as an adjustment method for adjusting the dot deviation described below.
That is, the first adjustment method of the present invention is:
A first dot and a second dot are formed at different timings using a printing unit that includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and that forms dots on a print medium by the print head and performs printing. An adjustment method for adjusting the deviation of the formation position between the dots and
(A) By driving the print head at a plurality of predetermined different timings, printing of a plurality of test patterns is possible so as to detect a shift in the formation position between the first dots and the second dots. And a process of
(B) selecting an optimum test pattern from the plurality of printed test patterns;
(C) setting the drive timing of the print head corresponding to the selected test pattern;
With
In the step (a), the test pattern is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed in a predetermined area at a predetermined recording rate, and the first dot and the second dot in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. This is an adjustment method in which the ratio of the portion where the dots are arranged is a test pattern significantly larger than the proportion of the portion where the first dots or the second dots are arranged.
[0031]
With this adjustment method, it is possible to easily determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots, and to easily adjust the ink ejection timing. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0032]
  The second adjustment method of the present invention is as follows.
  A first dot and a second dot are formed at different timings using a printing unit that includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and that forms dots on a print medium by the print head and performs printing. An adjustment method for adjusting the deviation of the formation position between the dots and
  (A) By driving the print head at a plurality of predetermined different timings, a plurality of test patterns can be printed so as to detect a shift in the formation position between the first dot and the second dot. And a process of
  (B) selecting an optimum test pattern from the plurality of printed test patterns;
  (C) setting the drive timing of the print head corresponding to the selected test pattern;
  With
  In the step (a), the test pattern is a patch-like pattern in which dots are formed in a predetermined area at a predetermined recording rate.Approximately the same numberThis adjustment method is a test pattern in which the first dots and the second dots are mixedly formed with substantially equal dispersibility.
[0033]
Also with this adjustment method, it is possible to easily determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots, and to easily adjust the ink ejection timing. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0034]
  The third adjustment method of the present invention is as follows.
  A first dot and a second dot are formed at different timings using a printing unit that includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink and forms dots on a print medium by the print head. An adjustment method for adjusting the deviation of the formation position between the dots and
  (A) Adjustment of the deviation of the formation position between the first dot and the second dotPrint test pattern to doExecuteOr print other than the test patternA process of inputting such instructions,
  (B) saidTest pattern printingWhen an instruction to execute is input,Printing other than test patternsInstructions to execute are enteredTheUnlike whenPrinting other than test patternsInstructions to execute are enteredTheThe print head has a predetermined test pattern formed by main scanning and sub-scanning with driving of the dedicated print head for performing the adjustment and sub-scan feed amount that makes the dot roughness more conspicuous than when Changing the driving timing to a plurality of predetermined different timings, respectively, and printing,
  (C) selecting an optimum test pattern from the plurality of printed test patterns;
  (D) setting a drive timing of the print head corresponding to the selected test pattern.,
The step (b)
When an instruction to execute printing of the test pattern is input, the first row is formed by forward main scanning into a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction and a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The test pattern is printed by arranging the second dots formed by the main scanning in the backward direction and the second dots arranged in every other pixel,
When an instruction to execute printing other than the test pattern is input, a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction, or a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the backward scanning direction, only the first dot or the Including a step of printing by forming only by the second dots,
  It is an adjustment method.
[0035]
  This adjustment method also makes it easy to determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots, and makes it easy to adjust the ink ejection timing.To doYou can. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0036]
The present invention can also be configured as a recording medium shown below.
That is, the first recording medium of the present invention is
A recording medium in which a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus described above is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing the computer to realize the functions of the print control apparatus described above.
[0037]
When this program is executed, the above-described printing control apparatus, printing apparatus, and adjustment method can be realized.
[0038]
The second recording medium of the present invention is
A recording comprising a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and recording print data for controlling a printing unit for performing printing by forming dots on a print medium by the print head so as to be readable by a computer A medium,
It is a computer-readable recording medium that records print data for printing a test pattern used in the above-described print control apparatus.
[0039]
By using this print data in the above-described print control device, printing device, and adjustment method, a test pattern is printed, so that it is easy to determine the graininess due to the relative displacement of the formation positions between dots, and the ink ejection timing is set. It can be easily adjusted. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved.
[0040]
The present invention can be configured as an invention of a test pattern and a test pattern printing method in addition to the above-described configuration as a printing control apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an adjustment method. Further, the present invention can be realized in various modes such as a computer program that realizes these, a recording medium that records the program, and a data signal that includes the program and is embodied in a carrier wave. In addition, in each aspect, it is possible to apply the various additional elements shown above.
[0041]
When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the print control apparatus or the entire program for driving the printing apparatus may be configured, or only a part that performs the functions of the present invention. It may be configured. Recording media include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punch cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, computer internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM) ) And an external storage device can be used.
[0042]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of printing device:
B. Print control:
C. First embodiment:
D. Modification of the first embodiment:
E. Second embodiment:
F. Variation:
[0043]
A. Configuration of printing device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention. The printer PRT is connected to the computer PC, and receives print data generated by the printer driver 80 in the computer PC and executes printing. The print data includes raster data for specifying dot on / off for each pixel on the raster and sub-scan feed amount data for specifying the sub-scan feed amount. The computer PC is connected to an external network TN, and can connect to a specific server SV to download a program and data for driving the printer PRT. It is also possible to load necessary programs and data from a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM using a flexible disk drive FDD or a CD-ROM drive CDD. These programs can adopt a mode in which the entire program required for printing is loaded together, or a mode in which some functions are loaded as modules.
[0044]
In the computer PC, an application program (not shown) is running under a predetermined operating system. The application program performs processing such as image generation and retouching. A printer driver 80 is incorporated in the operating system. The printer driver 80 corresponds to a program for realizing a function of generating print data including sub-scan feed amount data and raster data indicating a dot recording state during each main scan.
[0045]
The printer driver 80 receives image data from the application program and generates print data to be supplied to the printer PRT. Inside the printer driver 80, a print mode setting unit 82, a print mode control unit 84, and three print data generation units 86, 87, 88 are provided.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, the print mode setting unit 82 sets a text print mode for printing characters, a natural image print mode for printing natural images, or a test pattern print mode for printing test patterns. The print mode control unit 84 generates print data for character printing, print data for natural image printing, or test pattern printing according to the print mode set by the print mode setting unit 82. It is determined whether to generate print data for use. The first print data generation unit 86 generates print data for text printing. The second print data generation unit 87 generates print data for natural image printing. In the third print data generation unit 88, image data for printing a patch-like test pattern having a constant gradation value is prepared in advance. The third print data generation unit 88 generates print data for test pattern printing by performing halftone processing on the image data. Note that the tone value of the test pattern can be arbitrarily set, but in the present embodiment, it is set to a halftone.
[0047]
The three print data generation units 86, 87, and 88 are provided with a resolution conversion module, a color conversion module, a halftone module, and an interlace data generation module (not shown). A color conversion table is also provided. The resolution conversion module converts the resolution of the color image data handled by the application program into a resolution that can be handled by the printer driver 80. The color conversion module refers to the color conversion table, and cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), yellow (Y), black (used by the printer PRT for each pixel. K) is converted into multi-gradation data of each color. The halftone module performs a halftone process for expressing the gradation value of the image data by the distribution of dots. The interlace data generation module arranges the halftone processed image data together with the sub-scan feed amount data in a predetermined format to be transferred to the printer PRT. A part of the processing performed in the printer driver 80 may be performed by the printer PRT.
[0048]
A program for realizing the function of each module of the printer driver 80 is supplied in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Such recording media include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punch cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, computer internal storage devices (such as RAM and ROM). A variety of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.
[0049]
The printer PRT includes an input unit 91, a buffer 92, a main scanning unit 93, a sub-scanning unit 94, a head driving unit 95, and a driving timing table 96. The input unit 91 receives print data transferred from the printer driver 80. This print data is temporarily stored in the buffer 92. Then, according to the print data stored in the buffer 92, the main scanning unit 93 and the sub-scanning unit 94 perform main scanning of the print head and conveyance of the printing paper, and the head driving unit 95 sets the driving timing set in the driving timing table 96. The print head is driven with reference to FIG. The printer PRT is a printer capable of bidirectional printing.
[0050]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 22. As shown in the figure, the printer 22 includes a mechanism for transporting paper P by a paper feed motor 23, a mechanism for reciprocating a carriage 31 in the axial direction of a platen 26 by a carriage motor 24, and a print head mounted on the carriage 31. And a control circuit 40 that controls the exchange of signals with the paper feed motor 23, the carriage motor 24, the print head 28, and the operation panel 32. Yes.
[0051]
The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 31 in the axial direction of the platen 26 is constructed in parallel with the axis of the platen 26 and is an endless drive belt between the carriage shaft 24 and the carriage motor 24 slidably holding the carriage 31. 36, a pulley 38 for extending 36, a position detection sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 31, and the like.
[0052]
The carriage 31 can be mounted with a black ink cartridge 71 and a color ink cartridge 72 containing five inks of cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, and yellow. Note that the light cyan ink is an ink having substantially the same hue as the cyan ink and a lower density than the cyan ink. The same applies to light magenta ink. A total of six ink ejection heads 61 to 66 are formed on the print head 28 below the carriage 31 corresponding to these inks. In addition, on the bottom of the carriage 31, an introduction pipe is provided to guide the ink from the ink tank to each color head.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the nozzles Nz in the ink ejection heads 61 to 66. These ink discharge heads 61 to 66 include black ink (K), cyan ink (C), light cyan ink (LC), magenta ink (M), light magenta ink (LM), and yellow ink, respectively. Nozzles Nz for ejecting six colors of ink (Y) are provided. The positions of the ink discharge heads 61 to 66 in the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other. Further, the ink ejection heads 61 to 66 are each provided with 48 nozzles Nz arranged in a staggered manner at a constant nozzle pitch k along the sub-scanning direction. The nozzles Nz are arranged in a zigzag pattern so that the nozzle pitch can be easily set small in production, but may be arranged in a straight line.
[0054]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the control device 40. As shown in the figure, inside the control device 40, various circuits shown below are connected to each other by a bus 48 with a CPU 41, a PROM 42, and a RAM 43 as the center. The PC interface 44 exchanges data with the computer 90. A peripheral input / output unit (PIO) 45 exchanges signals with the paper feed motor 23, the carriage motor 24, the operation panel 32, and the like. The clock 46 synchronizes the operation of each circuit. The drive buffer 47 outputs a dot ON / OFF signal for each nozzle to the heads 61 to 66 to the drive signal generation unit 55.
[0055]
An oscillator 50 is connected to the drive signal generation unit 55. The oscillator 50 periodically outputs a clock signal serving as a reference for generating a drive signal. The drive signal generation unit 55 generates a drive waveform to be output to each nozzle row of the heads 61 to 66 based on a signal from the oscillator 50. As already illustrated, the heads 61 to 66 are provided with a plurality of nozzle rows having different positions in the main scanning direction. The drive signal generation unit 55 outputs a drive signal at an output timing at which dots can be appropriately formed in each pixel in consideration of such a difference in position. Since the printer PRT can perform bidirectional recording, the output timing is individually stored in the drive timing table 96 (see FIG. 1) in the PROM 42 for the forward movement and the backward movement of the main scanning.
[0056]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing generation of the reference print timing signal PTS. The print timing signal is a signal output corresponding to each pixel, and is a signal instructing the start of the drive waveform. As shown in the figure, the printer PRT includes a linear scale in which black portions are evenly attached at predetermined intervals in parallel to a sliding shaft 34 that slidably holds the carriage 31. In this embodiment, the width of the black portion corresponds to twice the resolution of the printer PRT, that is, an interval of 360 DPI. The carriage 31 includes an optical sensor 73. When the carriage 31 moves, the optical sensor 73 outputs an on / off signal depending on whether or not the surface facing the sensor is a black portion. The state of this signal is shown in the figure. By this pulse, the control device 40 can detect the position of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction.
[0057]
By equally dividing the pulse output from the optical sensor 73, the position of the carriage 31 can be detected with a resolution equal to or higher than that of the black portion. If the pulse interval is divided into two equal parts, the position of the carriage 31 can be detected with a resolution of 720 DPI. In the signal thus obtained, the relationship between the carriage 31 and the pixels is kept constant. When printing is performed at 720 DPI, the signal obtained in this way becomes the reference print timing signal PTS. In the drawing, an example of the reference print timing signal PTS corresponding to 720 DPI is shown. Note that the reference print timing signal PTS can be generated in such a manner that it is output at a constant time period from the start of the main scan, in addition to the reference print timing signal PTS generated using the optical sensor. However, if the signal is generated using an optical sensor, a signal with higher accuracy can be generated.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the reference print timing signal PTS and the delayed print timing signal. Although not shown, the delayed print timing signal is generated by applying a delay signal to the reference print timing signal PTS. The printer 22 can drive the print head using a plurality of print timing signals PTS (0), PTS (1), PTS (3),... Delayed from the reference timing signal PTS.
[0059]
The printer 22 having the hardware configuration described above reciprocates the carriage 31 by the carriage motor 24 while conveying the paper P by the paper feed motor 23. At the same time, the piezo elements of the ink discharge heads 61 to 66 of the print head 28 are driven to discharge the ink droplets of each color, thereby forming ink dots and forming a multicolor / multi-tone image on the paper P.
[0060]
B. Print control:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the print mode control routine. This is a process executed by the CPU in the computer PC. When this process is started, first, a print mode is set (step S100). If the set print mode is the text print mode (step S120), text print data is generated (step S140). If the set print mode is the natural image print mode (step S120), print data for natural images is generated (step S160). If the set print mode is the test pattern print mode (step S120), the test pattern print data is generated (step S180).
[0061]
As described above, these print data include raster data for designating dot on / off for each pixel on the raster and sub-scan feed amount data for specifying the sub-scan feed amount. The printer PRT receives these data and executes printing.
[0062]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in the text print mode. As shown in FIG. 8A, in this recording method, the nozzle pitch k is 6, the number of used nozzles N is 47, and the scan repetition number s is 2. Further, the table at the bottom of FIG. 8A shows parameters relating to the respective passes from the first time to the 13th time. One cycle includes 12 (= k · s) sub-scans. The twelve sub-scans are completed by repeating two sub-scans with a feed amount of (21, 26) dots six times. 8A, when the horizontal position is “1”, the odd-numbered pixels of each raster line are recorded in the pass, and when the horizontal position is “2”, the even-numbered pixels are recorded. This means that a pixel is recorded.
[0063]
FIG. 8B shows nozzle numbers used for dot recording on each raster line in each pass corresponding to each pass number in FIG. 8A. The line number of each raster line shown at the left end is a continuous number within the effective recording range. When the pass number is an odd number, dot recording is performed during the forward movement of the print head, and when the pass number is even, dot recording is performed during the backward movement. As can be seen from this figure, a plurality of dots on each raster line are formed using two different nozzles depending on both the forward and backward movements of the main scanning of the print head.
[0064]
On the right side of FIG. 8B, the relationship between the path for forming each raster line of raster numbers 2 to 7 and the horizontal position is shown. In the text printing mode, since k = 6 and s = 2, the dots of the entire image are arranged in a uniform order in units of a total of 12 pixels of 2 pixels in the main scanning direction and 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction. It is formed. A horizontal position 1 represents an odd-numbered pixel position, and a horizontal position 2 represents an even-numbered pixel position. The numbers in the squares represent pass numbers. As shown in the figure, in the rasters with raster numbers 2 to 7, odd-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 1, 11, 9, 7, 5, and 3, respectively, and even-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 8, 6, 4, and 4, respectively. Recorded at 2, 12, and 10, respectively. In other words, odd-numbered pixels in each raster line are recorded using forward dots, and even-numbered pixels are recorded using backward dots. In addition, by changing the horizontal positions of dots formed in such continuous main scanning, dots can be made difficult to overlap even when large-diameter dots are formed in each pixel. The state of dots recorded by this recording method is shown in FIG. A circle indicates a forward dot. Also, ● indicates a reverse dot.
[0065]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in the natural image printing mode. As shown in FIG. 9A, in this recording method, the nozzle pitch k is 6, the number N of used nozzles is 48, and the scan repetition number s is 2. Further, the table at the bottom of the figure shows parameters relating to the first to thirteenth passes. Sub-scanning for 12 (= k · s) times constituting one cycle is completed by repeating twice the sub-scanning of 6 times (20, 27, 22, 28, 21, 26) dots. . 11A, when the horizontal position is “1”, the odd-numbered pixels of each raster line are recorded in the pass, and when the horizontal position is “2”, the even-numbered pixels are recorded. This means that a pixel is recorded.
[0066]
FIG. 9B shows nozzle numbers used for dot recording on each raster line in each pass corresponding to each pass number in FIG. 9A. The line number of each raster line shown at the left end is a continuous number within the effective recording range. When the pass number is an odd number, dot recording is performed during the forward movement of the print head, and when the pass number is even, dot recording is performed during the backward movement. As can be seen from this figure, the raster formed by the forward movement and the raster formed by the backward movement are alternately arranged in a bundle of three rasters. A plurality of dots on each raster line are formed using two different nozzles depending on the forward or backward movement of the main scanning of the print head.
[0067]
On the right side of FIG. 9B, the relationship between the path for forming each raster line of raster numbers 2 to 7 and the horizontal position is shown. In the comparative example, since k = 6 and s = 2, the dots of the entire image are formed in a uniform order with a total of 12 pixels of 2 pixels in the main scanning direction and 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction as a unit. Is done. A horizontal position 1 represents an odd-numbered pixel position, and a horizontal position 2 represents an even-numbered pixel position. The numbers in the squares represent pass numbers. As shown in the figure, in the rasters with raster numbers 2 to 7, odd-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 3, respectively, and even-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 7, 11, 2, 4, and 4, respectively. Record 6 and 9 respectively. In other words, in raster numbers 2, 3, and 7, odd-numbered pixels in each raster line are recorded by the first main scanning, and even-numbered pixels are recorded by the second main scanning. In raster numbers 4, 5, and 6, odd-numbered pixels in each raster line are recorded by the second main scanning, and even-numbered pixels are recorded by the first main scanning. In addition, by changing the horizontal positions of dots formed in such continuous main scanning, dots can be made difficult to overlap even when large-diameter dots are formed in each pixel. The state of dots recorded by this recording method is shown in FIG. A circle indicates a forward dot. Also, ● indicates a reverse dot.
[0068]
C. First embodiment:
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in the test pattern printing mode as the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, in this recording method, the nozzle pitch k is 6, the number N of used nozzles is 47, and the scan repetition number s is 2. Further, the table at the bottom of FIG. 11A shows parameters relating to the first to thirteenth passes. One cycle includes 12 (= k · s) sub-scans. The twelve sub-scans are completed by repeating two sub-scans with a feed amount of (21, 26) dots six times. 11A, when the horizontal position is “1”, the odd-numbered pixels of each raster line are recorded in the pass, and when the horizontal position is “2”, the even-numbered pixels are recorded. This means that a pixel is recorded.
[0069]
FIG. 11B shows nozzle numbers used for dot recording on each raster line in each pass corresponding to each pass number in FIG. The line number of each raster line shown at the left end is a continuous number within the effective recording range. When the pass number is an odd number, dot recording is performed during the forward movement of the print head, and when the pass number is even, dot recording is performed during the backward movement. As can be seen from this figure, a plurality of dots on each raster line are formed using two different nozzles depending on the forward or backward movement of the print head. Also, dots of raster lines adjacent to each other are formed by main scanning in different directions of the print head.
[0070]
On the right side of FIG. 11B, the relationship between the path for forming each raster line of raster numbers 2 to 7 and the horizontal position is shown. In the second embodiment, since k = 6 and s = 2, the dots of the entire image are in a uniform order in units of a total of 12 pixels of 2 pixels in the main scanning direction and 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction. Formed with. A horizontal position 1 represents an odd-numbered pixel position, and a horizontal position 2 represents an even-numbered pixel position. The numbers in the squares represent pass numbers. As shown in the figure, in rasters with raster numbers 2 to 7, odd-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 1, 6, 9, 2, 5, and 10, respectively, and even-numbered pixels are recorded in passes 8, 11, 4, 7, Record 12 and 3 respectively. In other words, forward dots and backward dots are arranged and recorded in a checkered pattern. The state of dots recorded by this recording method is shown in FIG. A circle indicates a forward dot. Also, ● indicates a reverse dot. In this way, when the forward and backward dots are arranged in a checkerboard pattern in bidirectional printing, it is possible to easily determine the degree of roughness due to the deviation of the dot formation position.
[0071]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of drive head drive timing adjustment. First, test pattern printing is executed at five timings to be described later (step S200).
[0072]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the test pattern. A circle indicates a forward dot. Also, ● indicates a reverse dot. In the present embodiment, the forward dot and the backward dot are the same color. The test pattern is recorded by changing the backward dot formation timing in five steps indicated by numbers 1 to 5 relative to the forward dot formation timing. For example, the forward dot is printed using the print timing signal PTS (0) shown in FIG. The reverse dots of the test patterns 1 to 5 are printed using the print timing signals PTS (1) to PTS (5). Note that the drive timing for forming the backward dot stored in the memory is the timing of the print timing signal PTS (3), that is, the timing of the three-stage difference from the drive timing for forming the forward dot. It is said. In the test pattern 1, the return dot is shifted to the side that landed earlier than the forward dot (right in this figure) because the printing timing is early. In test pattern 2, reverse dots are formed at an appropriate timing. This means that the current reverse dot formation timing is delayed by one step. Further, in the test patterns 3, 4, and 5, since the printing timing of the backward dots is gradually delayed, it shifts toward the landing side (left in this drawing) gradually with respect to the forward dots. As in the test patterns 1, 3, 4, and 5, when the relative formation positions of the forward dot and the backward dot are shifted, a blank portion is generated between the dots, and a rough feeling or a shading pattern is visually recognized. By this action, it is possible to accurately recognize the deviation of the dot formation position. The dot formation position is adjusted by the user selecting the pattern 2 formed at the most appropriate timing that gives the least roughness.
[0073]
The user selects the test pattern with the least roughness from the five printed test patterns, and inputs the number (step S220 in FIG. 13). The drive timing of the print head stored in the drive timing table 96 of FIG. 1 is changed to a drive timing corresponding to the input number (step S240). Since the dot formation timing is greatly deviated, the above five test patterns may not be optimally adjusted. In this case, it is determined whether or not to further adjust (step S260). If no further adjustment is made, the process ends. For further adjustment, the test pattern is printed again and the same processing is repeated.
[0074]
In the first embodiment, a pattern in which forward dots and backward dots are arranged in a checkered pattern is used as a test pattern (FIG. 14). This test pattern is a pattern in which roughness is easily noticeable when the formation positions between dots are relatively shifted. Therefore, it is easy to determine the degree of roughness, and it is easy to accurately adjust the drive timing of the print head. Further, since the recording method is switched and used properly depending on the printing object (text, natural image, test pattern), printing suitable for each can be performed.
[0075]
D. Modification of the first embodiment:
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system as a modification of the first embodiment. In the modification, the printer driver 80 does not include a print data generation unit for printing a test pattern (the third print data generation unit 88 in FIG. 1). Instead, test pattern data 97 is provided in the printer PRT in advance. The test pattern data 97 is print data for printing a test pattern. The test pattern data 97 includes raster data for specifying dot on / off for each pixel on the raster, and sub-scan feed amount data for specifying the sub-scan feed amount. Contains. When the test pattern printing mode is set as the printing mode, the test pattern data is directly supplied to the main scanning unit 93, the sub scanning unit 94, and the head driving unit 95. The test pattern data may be provided in the printer driver 80. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0076]
E. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, the case where forward and backward dots are formed with the same ink is illustrated. In the second embodiment, a case where both are formed with different inks will be described. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a test pattern according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 16A, cyan ink (C) is used for forward dots and magenta ink (M) is used for backward dots. In FIG. 16B, cyan ink (C) is used for forward dots and yellow ink (Y) is used for backward dots. The dot recording method is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0077]
In the second embodiment, inks having different hues are used for the forward and backward dots. When dots having different hues overlap, a portion having a different hue is generated. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16A, the portion where cyan dots and magenta dots overlap is blue. In the example shown in FIG. 16B, the portion where cyan dots and yellow dots overlap is green. In this way, if inks having different hues are used for the forward and backward dots, the hue variation within the test pattern changes depending on the degree of deviation of the dot formation position, and the degree of roughness is easily visible. As a result, since the dot formation position can be adjusted with high accuracy, the print image quality can be improved. In general, yellow ink is difficult to adjust because of its low visibility, but according to the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust.
[0078]
F. Variation:
As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and implementation in various aspects is possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary. It is. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0079]
F1. Modification 1
In the above embodiment, the relative formation position shift between the forward dot and the backward dot in bidirectional printing is adjusted, but in general, the present invention has the first dot and the second dot formed at different timings. It can be applied to the adjustment of the deviation of the formation position between the dots. Therefore, when the print head has a plurality of nozzle rows having different positions in the main scanning direction, the present invention can adjust the relative formation position deviation between dots formed by the ink ejected from each nozzle row. Is also applicable. For example, the print head 28 shown in FIG. 3 may be applied to the adjustment of the dot formation position formed by the ink ejected from the nozzles in the A and B rows in the illustrated black ink nozzle group. Or you may apply to adjustment of the dot formation position formed with the ink discharged from the nozzle of each of B row and C row which discharges the ink of a mutually different hue. Note that the present invention may be applied to unidirectional printing in which printing is performed only in the main scanning forward movement.
[0080]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a print head 28A in which nozzle groups for ejecting six colors of ink are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The present invention can also be applied when using such a print head. That is, the present invention may be applied to the adjustment of dot formation positions formed by the ink ejected from the nozzles in the 0th and 1st rows in each nozzle group, or between nozzle groups that eject inks of different hues. You may apply to adjustment of the dot formation position formed with the ink discharged from a nozzle.
[0081]
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a print head 28B in which six print heads 28 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The present invention can also be applied when using such a print head. Further, the present invention may be applied to a print head having more nozzle groups.
[0082]
F2. Modification 2:
In the above-described embodiment, the test pattern arranges the forward dots and the backward dots in a checkered pattern so as to be adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, but is not limited thereto. Here, "dots adjacent to each other" does not mean only "dots formed at pixel positions adjacent to each other", but means that the dots formed are adjacent to each other. Yes. Therefore, it has the meaning including the case where the pixel in which the dot is not formed exists between the 1st dot and the 2nd dot.
[0083]
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing first dots and second dots arranged in a checkered pattern. ○ indicates the first dot. Also, ● indicates the second dot. This arrangement is a state in which the first dots and the second dots are always aligned in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C show examples in which the dot recording rates are different. As described above, in the checkered pattern, it is possible to easily determine the rough feeling due to the deviation of the dot formation position even if the dot recording rate is different.
[0084]
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing first dots and second dots arranged in a staggered pattern. ○ indicates the first dot. Also, ● indicates the second dot. As surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 20B, the first dots and the second dots are arranged in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, but are mixedly arranged with substantially the same dispersibility. Yes. 20A, 20B, and 20C show examples in which the dot recording rates are different. Even in this case, it is possible to easily determine the feeling of roughness due to the deviation of the dot formation position.
[0085]
  19 and 20 exemplify patterns in which the first dots and the second are regularly arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing first dots and second dots arranged irregularly. ○ indicates the first dot. Also, ● indicates the second dot. As shown in FIG. 21A, the first dots and the second dots may be irregularly arranged. In a very small area A surrounded by a broken line, a large number of first dots are formed, but in the area B surrounded by a broken line, they are irregularly mixed with almost the same dispersibility. Further, as shown in FIG. 21B, the recording rate may be gradually changed. Such patterns alsoApproximately the same numberThis corresponds to a pattern in which the first dots and the second dots are mixedly formed with substantially the same dispersibility.
[0086]
F3. Modification 3:
In the second embodiment, two colors of cyan ink and magenta ink and two colors of cyan ink and yellow ink are used as inks having different hues. However, other inks may be used. Further, three or more colors of ink may be used.
[0087]
22 shows cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green and blue L^*a^*b^*It is a perspective view to the surface perpendicular | vertical to the L-axis in space. This figure shows blue (B) when cyan (C) and magenta (M) are mixed, red (R) when magenta (M) and yellow (Y) are mixed, and yellow (Y) and cyan. It shows that when (C) is mixed, it becomes green (G). Further, the relationship between cyan (C) and red (R), magenta (M) and green (G), yellow (Y) and blue (B) is complementary.
[0088]
As can be understood from FIG. 22, since the change in hue in the test pattern can be increased by using inks of three or more colors, it is easy to visually recognize the rough feeling due to the deviation of the dot formation position. It is also effective to use light cyan ink or light magenta ink with relatively low visibility.
[0089]
F4. Modification 4:
In the second embodiment, the forward dot and the backward dot are formed using different hue inks in the test pattern, but both the forward dot and the backward dot are formed using a plurality of colors of ink. It may be. Even in this case, as in the third modification, it becomes easy to visually recognize the rough feeling due to the shift of the dot formation position.
[0090]
F5. Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, the dot formation position is adjusted using a patch-like test pattern, but it may be used together with a conventional ruled line pattern. For example, rough adjustment may be performed using a ruled line pattern, and fine adjustment may be performed using a patch-like pattern.
[0091]
F6. Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, an ink jet printer using a piezo element is used. However, a printer that ejects ink droplets by other methods may be used. For example, a printer of a type that energizes a heater disposed in an ink passage and ejects ink droplets by bubbles generated in the ink passage.
[0092]
Since the printing apparatus of the present embodiment described above includes processing by a computer, the embodiment as a recording medium in which a program for realizing this processing is recorded can be employed. Such recording media include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punch cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, computer internal storage devices (such as RAM and ROM). A variety of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 22;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of nozzles Nz in the ink ejection heads 61 to 66;
4 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a control device 40. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing generation of a reference print timing signal PTS.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a reference print timing signal PTS and a delayed print timing signal.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a print mode control routine.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in a text print mode.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in a natural image printing mode.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of dots recorded by a dot recording method in a text print mode and a natural image print mode.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method in a test pattern printing mode as a first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of dots recorded by a dot recording method in a test pattern printing mode.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of print head drive timing adjustment.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a test pattern.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system as a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a test pattern according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a print head 28A in which nozzle groups for discharging six colors of ink are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a print head 28B in which six print heads 28 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing dots arranged in a staggered pattern.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing dots arranged in a checkered pattern.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing other arrangement of dots.
FIG. 22: L for cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green and blue^*a^*b^*It is a perspective view to the surface perpendicular | vertical to the L-axis in space.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a test pattern for adjusting a conventional dot deviation.
[Explanation of symbols]
22 ... Printer
23 ... Paper feed motor
24 ... Carriage motor
25. Paper feed roller
26 ... Platen
28 ... Print head
31 ... Carriage
32 ... Control panel
34 ... Sliding shaft
36 ... Drive belt
38 ... pulley
39 ... Position detection sensor
40 ... Control circuit
41 ... CPU
42 ... PROM
43 ... RAM
44 ... PC interface
45. Peripheral input / output unit (PIO)
46 ... Timer
47 ... Drive buffer
48 ... Bus
50 ... Oscillator
55 ... Drive signal generator
61-66 ... Ink discharge head
71 ... Black ink cartridge
72. Color ink cartridge
73: Optical sensor
80 ... Printer driver
82: Print mode setting section
84: Print mode control unit
86, 87, 88 ... print data generation unit
91 ... Input section
92 ... Buffer
93 ... Main scanning section
94. Sub-scanning section
95: Head drive section
96 ... Drive timing table

Claims (4)

A printing unit comprising a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and performing printing by forming dots on the print medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning of the printing head relative to the printing medium A printing control device for controlling
A print mode setting section for setting the print mode;
In the print mode setting unit, when a test pattern mode for printing a predetermined test pattern is set as the print mode, unlike all print modes other than the test pattern mode, other than the test pattern mode The test pattern is printed by performing main scanning and sub-scanning with the driving of the print head dedicated to the test pattern and the sub-scan feed amount, in which the dot roughness is more conspicuous than when all the printing modes are set. A printing control unit for controlling the printing unit ,
The print control unit
When the test pattern mode is set, the dots formed by the main scanning in the forward direction and the main scanning in the backward direction are arranged in the pixel row in which the pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction and the pixel row in which the pixels are arranged in the sub scanning direction. The printing unit is controlled to print the predetermined test pattern by forming the dots to be formed side by side every other pixel,
When a print mode other than the test pattern mode is set, only a dot that forms a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction or a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the backward scanning direction, or the main scanning in the forward direction, or , Controlling the printing unit to perform printing by forming only by dots formed by main scanning in the backward direction,
Print control device. A printing unit comprising a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and performing printing by forming dots on a print medium by the print head;
A printing control apparatus according to claim 1;
A printing apparatus comprising: A first dot and a second dot are formed at different timings using a printing unit that includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and that forms dots on a print medium by the print head and performs printing. An adjustment method for adjusting a deviation of a formation position between the dots and
(A) Instructing whether to print a test pattern for adjusting a shift in the formation position between the first dot and the second dot, or to execute printing other than the test pattern Input process;
(B) when an instruction to execute printing of the test pattern is input, unlike when an instruction to perform printing other than the test pattern is input, an instruction to perform printing other than the test pattern is input A predetermined test pattern formed by main scanning and sub-scanning with driving of the dedicated print head for performing the adjustment and sub-scan feed amount, in which the roughness of the dots is more conspicuous than when printing Changing the drive timing of the head to a plurality of different predetermined timings and printing each;
(C) selecting an optimum test pattern from the plurality of printed test patterns;
(D) setting the drive timing of the print head corresponding to the selected test pattern ,
The step (b)
When an instruction to execute printing of the test pattern is input, the first row is formed by forward main scanning into a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction and a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The test pattern is printed by arranging the second dots formed by the main scanning in the backward direction and the second dots arranged in every other pixel,
When an instruction to execute printing other than the test pattern is input, a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction, or a pixel row in which pixels are arranged in the backward scanning direction, only the first dot or the Including a step of printing by forming only by the second dots,
Adjustment method. A recording medium in which a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus according to claim 2 is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for causing the computer to realize the function of the print control apparatus according to claim 1.

Images