JP4285487B2 - Recording position correction apparatus, recording apparatus, and recording position correction method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording position of a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording material by alternately reciprocating a carriage provided with a recording head in the main scanning direction and conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction. The present invention relates to a correction apparatus, a recording apparatus, a recording position correction method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program.

  In a recording apparatus that records on a recording material by alternately reciprocating a carriage provided with a recording head in the main scanning direction and conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, the control device includes a drive system. A command value indicating the conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction is given to the motor (the gear train that transmits the driving force of the motor), and the drive system records the recording material by the conveyance amount indicated by the command value. Are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage reciprocation in the main scanning direction is performed in the same manner. However, the conveyance amount indicated by the command value may be different from the conveyance amount by which the recording material is actually conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. This difference (hereinafter also referred to as “deviation”) is caused by a slight slip between the recording material and a roller that conveys the recording material, an error in the drive system, or the like.

  In recent recording devices, especially printers, the conveyance accuracy has been improved and the deviation due to each conveyance is small, but since conveyance is performed many times in one recording, Even a slight deviation can result in a large deviation by repeated conveyance.

  In the feedback control device that feeds back the actually transported transport amount to the control device and controls the drive system based on the difference between the fed back value and the command value, the actually transported transport amount is It is measured by the rotation amount of the motor constituting the system or the rotation amount of the roller rotated by this motor, and does not measure the actual conveyance amount of the recording material. Therefore, the deviation due to a slight slip cannot be removed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its problem is to correct the deviation of the conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction and to convey the recording material more accurately, thereby improving the recording quality. There is.

In order to achieve the above object, the recording position correction apparatus of the present storage device alternately repeats the reciprocation of the carriage provided with the recording head in the main scanning direction and the conveyance of the recording material in the sub scanning direction. A recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material, wherein the first counting means for counting the number of times of conveyance in the sub-scanning direction and the number of conveyance times counted by the first counting means are predetermined. A first determination unit that determines whether or not the number of correction executions reached, and the first determination unit determines that the number of conveyances counted by the first counting unit has reached the number of correction executions If this is the case, the original transport amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction at that time is corrected, and the actual transport amount up to that time is used as the theoretical transport amount, or the transport of the theoretical value is performed. Carrying amount compensation close to the amount A recording position correction device for a recording apparatus comprising: means, and
The number of correction executions is provided for each recording mode representing recording quality.

  According to the present embodiment, the number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction is counted by the first counting unit, and whether or not the number of conveyances counted by the first counting unit has reached a predetermined correction execution number is first. It is determined by the determining means. If it is determined that the number of correction executions has been reached, the transport amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction at that time is corrected by the transport amount correction means, and the actual transport amount up to that time is the theoretical value. Or a value close to the theoretical value.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conveyance amount of the recording material when the correction execution count is reached is corrected, and the actual conveyance amount up to that time is set as the theoretical conveyance amount, or the Since it can be brought close to the theoretical transport amount, more accurate transport can be performed, and the recording quality can be improved.

  Here, as described later, the “correction execution count” can be expressed by using the cumulative number of times of conveyance since the start of use of the printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “cumulative conveyance number”), or the previous correction execution number. It can also be expressed using the relative number of times (hereinafter referred to as “the number of relative conveyances”).

  When the number of correction executions is expressed using the cumulative number of conveyances, the number of correction executions is n1, n2, n3,... (N1, n2, n3,... Are positive integers, n1 <n2 <N3 <...) is configured as a numeric string. On the other hand, when the correction execution count is expressed using the relative conveyance count, the correction execution count may have only one numerical value such as m times (m is a positive integer). For example, {m1, m2, m3 (m1, m2, and m3 are positive integers)} may be a set of a plurality of (several) numerical values.

  When the number of correction executions has only one numerical value, the correction is repeatedly performed every m-th transport from the previous correction. When the number of correction executions is a set of three numerical values, the correction is generally performed for the m1st, m2th, m3th, m1st, m2th, m3th,... Thus, these three times are repeated as a unit.

  In the present recording position correction apparatus, the transport amount correction means may transport the recording material in the sub-scanning direction to the original transport amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction at that time. Correction is performed by adding or subtracting the smallest possible conveyance amount, and when the number of correction executions is not corrected with the number of correction executions, the conveyance amount up to that time and the theoretical conveyance amount The difference is the minimum number of times that is equal to or greater than the minimum transport amount.

  According to the present recording position correction apparatus, when the number of correction executions is transported without correction at the number of correction executions, the difference between the actual transport amount up to that time and the theoretical transport amount exceeds the minimum transport amount. Therefore, as soon as the difference (that is, deviation) between the actual transport amount and the theoretical transport amount reaches a correctable value, the correction is performed immediately. As a result, correction can be made while the deviation is small, which can contribute to improvement in recording quality.

  In the recording position correction apparatus, the number of correction executions is such that the recording head records a plurality of inspection patterns on a recording material, and the recorded inspection pattern is compared with a theoretical inspection pattern. , And is determined based on the difference between the two.

  According to the present recording position correction apparatus, the number of correction executions can be determined for each recording apparatus by determining the number of correction executions using the inspection pattern before the start of use of each recording apparatus. Thus, appropriate correction can be performed in accordance with the deviation characteristics of each recording apparatus.

  For the same model, even if the recording devices are different, if it is considered that there is a tendency to cause almost the same deviation, the number of correction executions for one arbitrary recording device is determined using the inspection pattern. By doing so, this correction execution count can be used as it is for other recording apparatuses of the same model.

  The recording position correcting apparatus is characterized in that the inspection pattern is a plurality of lines extending in the main scanning direction and drawn at regular intervals in the sub scanning direction.

  According to this recording position correcting apparatus, the inspection pattern is a plurality of lines extending in the main scanning direction and drawn at regular intervals in the sub scanning direction. Can be measured. In addition, since it is a simple inspection pattern, the inspection efficiency can be improved.

  The present recording position correction apparatus is characterized in that the number of correction executions is provided for each recording mode representing recording quality.

  According to this recording position correction apparatus, since the number of correction executions is provided for each recording mode representing the recording quality, it is possible to correct an appropriate recording position according to each recording mode. The recording quality corresponding to the mode can be improved.

  The “recording mode indicating the recording quality” includes a high speed mode, a standard mode, a high quality mode, an ultra high quality mode, and the like.

  The recording position correction apparatus further includes a reset unit that resets the count number of the first counting unit to zero when the number of conveyance times counted by the first counting unit reaches the number of correction executions. The number of correction executions is a relative number from the previous correction execution number.

  According to this recording position correction apparatus, when the number of conveyances counted by the first counting unit reaches the number of correction executions, the count number of the first counting unit is reset to zero. As a result, the first counting means can be configured to be able to count up to the number of correction executions, so that the first counting means can be realized with a small amount of hardware.

  In addition, since the number of correction executions is a relative number from the previous correction execution number, for example, if correction is performed every m times, the correction execution number can be set to a value of only m, and correction execution is performed. The apparatus configuration for storing the number of times can be simplified, and the amount of hardware for storing the number of times can be reduced.

  In this recording position correction apparatus, a plurality of correction execution times are provided, and each correction execution number is a different value or value corresponding to the cumulative number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction from the start of use of the recording apparatus. A second counting unit that counts the number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction accumulated from the start of use of the recording apparatus, and the number of conveyances counted by the second counting unit A second determination means for determining whether any one of a plurality of change execution counts having different values has been reached, and the second determination means is configured by the second counting means. If it is determined that the number of times of conveyance counted in step 1 has reached any one of the number of executions of the change, the number of correction executions thereafter is corrected according to the accumulated number of conveyances. Characterized in that it further comprises changing means for changing the number, the.

  If the recording apparatus is used for a long time, the deviation of the conveyance amount may change due to aging of the driving system of the recording apparatus, and the correction execution number may need to be changed accordingly.

  According to this recording position correcting apparatus, when the second determination unit determines that the number of conveyances counted by the second counting unit has reached any one of the number of executions of the change, thereafter Since the change means for changing the number of correction execution times to the number of correction execution times corresponding to the accumulated number of conveyance times is provided, it is possible to cope with a change in conveyance amount due to aging or the like. As a result, it is possible to improve the recording quality in accordance with the usage amount of the recording apparatus.

  The recording position correcting apparatus causes the recording head to record a plurality of inspection patterns on a recording material before the start of use of the recording apparatus, and the plurality of change execution times are recorded on the recording material. When the number of correction executions is determined on the basis of the difference between the two by comparing with a test pattern based on a theoretical value, the number of correction executions varies from one value or a set of values to another value. Or it is the number of conveyances when changing to a set of values.

  According to the present recording position correction apparatus, the change execution count is determined when the correction execution count is determined before the start of use of each recording apparatus. Therefore, the change execution count can be determined for each recording apparatus. Thus, appropriate correction can be performed according to the characteristics of each recording apparatus. In addition, since the number of executions of change can be determined simultaneously with the determination of the number of correction executions, it is possible to increase the efficiency and economy of the determination process of these two times.

  For the same model, even if the recording devices are different, if it is considered that there is a tendency to have almost the same number of times of change execution, the number of times of change execution for one arbitrary recording device is used as the inspection pattern. As a result, the change execution count can be used as it is for other recording devices of the same model.

  The recording position correction apparatus is characterized in that the plurality of change execution times are provided for each recording mode representing recording quality.

  According to this recording position correction apparatus, since a plurality of change execution times are provided for each recording mode representing recording quality, it is possible to perform appropriate correction of the recording position according to each recording mode, The recording quality corresponding to each recording mode can be improved.

  The recording position correction apparatus is characterized in that the correction execution count is a cumulative number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction from the start of use of the recording apparatus.

  According to this recording position correction apparatus, since the number of correction executions is the cumulative number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction from the start of use of the recording apparatus, it corresponds to the number of correction executions unlike the relative conveyance number as described above. It is necessary to store all of the cumulative number of conveyances to be performed, and although the amount of memory increases, there is no need to consider the change in the number of correction executions with aging, so the above-described reset means, second counting means, The determination means 2 and the like are not necessary, and the apparatus configuration and processing can be simplified.

  This recording apparatus includes the above-described recording position correction apparatus.

  Also in the present recording apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the aforementioned recording position correction apparatus.

  This recording position correction method is a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by alternately repeating reciprocation of a carriage provided with a recording head in the main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction. In this recording position correction method, the number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction is counted, it is determined whether the counted number of conveyances has reached a predetermined number of correction executions, and the counted number of conveyances is calculated as the correction number. If it is determined that the number of executions has been reached, the original transport amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction at that time is corrected, and the actual transport amount up to that time is set as the theoretical transport amount, or A recording position correction method for a recording apparatus that approaches the theoretical conveyance amount, wherein the number of correction executions is provided for each recording mode that represents recording quality. According to this recording position correction method, the same effect as that of the above-described recording position correction apparatus can be obtained.

  The computer-readable recording medium records on the recording material by alternately repeating reciprocation of the carriage provided with the recording head in the main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction. A computer-readable recording medium in which a recording position correction processing program of a recording apparatus is recorded, the procedure for counting the number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction, and the counted number of conveyances has reached a predetermined number of correction executions. If it is determined that the counted number of conveyances has reached the number of correction executions, the original conveyance amount of the recording material in that sub-scanning direction is corrected, and The actual transport amount up to the theoretical value transport amount, or a procedure to bring it close to the theoretical transport amount, where the number of correction executions corresponds to the recording mode representing the recording quality. Is obtained by recording a program for executing instructions to a computer, characterized in that those provided on.

  According to this recording medium, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the recording position correction apparatus described above. In addition, by causing an arbitrary recording apparatus equipped with a computer that can read and execute a program recorded on the recording medium to execute the program recorded on the recording medium, the arbitrary recording apparatus can The recording position correction process can also be executed.

[Configuration of recording device]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer 1 which is one of recording apparatuses. The printer 1 includes a control device 10, a carriage drive system 20, a carriage 30, a paper feed roller drive system 40, a paper feed roller 50, and a recording medium reading device 60, and reciprocation of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction. , Printing (recording) on a sheet is performed by alternately repeating conveyance in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “conveyance in the sub-scanning direction”). Do.

  The control device 10 receives print control data and print data from an external computer, word processor, etc., and drives and controls the carriage drive system 20 and the paper feed roller drive system 40 based on these data. Print figures etc. on paper.

  The print control data includes, in addition to command data for instructing the printer 1 to perform printing, data for specifying the paper size, data for specifying the vertical or horizontal length of the paper, and recording mode data indicating the recording quality. include. Examples of the recording mode include a high-speed mode with a print resolution of 180 dpi × 180 dpi, a standard mode of 360 dpi × 360 dpi, a high-quality mode of 720 dpi × 720 dpi, and an ultra-high-quality mode of 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi.

  The control device 10 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a drive control circuit for the carriage drive system 20, a drive control circuit for the paper feed roller drive system 40, etc. (not shown).

  The CPU of the control device 10 performs a print control process of the printer 1 by executing a control program stored in the ROM of the control device 10 or a control program of the recording medium 70 read via the recording medium reading device 60. . This print control process includes a recording position correction process according to the present invention.

  In addition to the control program, correction amount data, correction execution count data, and change execution count data are also stored (recorded) in the ROM or recording medium 70 of the control device 10 as correction processing data. . These correction processing data will be described in detail later.

  The RAM of the control device 10 is used as a work area when the CPU of the control device 10 performs processing, and as will be described later, how many times the conveyance is performed from the start of use of the printer 1 to the present. The accumulated number of times of conveyance NA indicating whether or not it has been stored is stored. The cumulative conveyance number NA is initialized to zero when the printer 1 is shipped. Further, the RAM is supplied with power by a backup power supply (not shown) so that the value of the cumulative conveyance number NA is not erased (volatilized) from the RAM even while the printer 1 is turned off.

  The recording medium 70 includes a floppy disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a mini disk (MD), a magneto-optical disk (MO disk), a cassette tape, a semiconductor memory (memory card), and the like. Further, as the recording medium reading device 60, a reading device (for example, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, etc.) corresponding to each recording medium is provided.

  The carriage drive system 20 reciprocates the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction according to a command from the control device 10, and the paper feed roller drive system 40 is a paper feed roller 50 according to a command from the control device 10. Is used to convey the paper. The reciprocation of the carriage 30 and the conveyance of the paper are alternately performed as described above. Therefore, in a printer that performs printing only in the forward path in the main scanning direction, after printing in the forward path, one transport is performed, and in a printer that performs printing in both the forward path and the return path, After printing, the conveyance is performed once. Then, after a plurality of conveyances, printing is completed.

  The carriage drive system 20 and the paper feed roller drive system 40 both have a drive motor (not shown) (stepping motor, DC motor, etc.) and a gear train that transmits the drive force of the drive motor to the carriage 30 or the paper feed roller 50, respectively. It is included. In addition, a print head (recording head) (not shown) is mounted on the carriage 30, and the print head performs printing on a sheet.

  When the drive motor of the carriage drive system 20 is a DC motor, the control device 10 is controlled from the drive motor or an encoder (not shown) attached to the carriage 30 in order to feedback control the movement amount, movement speed, etc. of the carriage 30. A feedback signal (shown in broken lines) is provided. Similarly, when the drive motor of the paper feed roller drive system 40 is a DC motor, an encoder (illustrated) attached to the drive motor or the paper feed roller 50 in order to feedback control the transport amount and transport speed of the paper. A feedback signal (shown by a broken line) is given to the control device 10 from (omitted).

[Correction data determination process]
FIG. 2 shows the transport amount of the theoretical value (that is, the transport amount issued by the control device 10 as a command) when the sheet is transported by regular feeding (conveyance with a constant transport amount at each time). And an actual transport amount by the paper feed roller 50 (hereinafter referred to as “actual transport amount”).

  It can be expressed as T = N · α, where T is the total theoretical transport amount for N transports and α is the theoretical transport amount for each transport. X = N · α ′, where X is the total actual transport amount of N transports and α ′ is the actual transport amount of each time. If the deviation between X and T is β, it can also be expressed as X = T + β = N · α + β.

  In FIG. 2, the deviation is exaggerated for easy understanding of the deviation between the theoretical conveyance amount and the actual conveyance amount. Usually, the deviation is compared with the conveyance amount at each time in FIG. Smaller than shown.

  As described above, the correction processing data necessary for correcting such misalignment at the time of printing includes correction amount data, correction execution count data, and change execution count data.

  Here, the “correction amount” refers to how much the conveyance amount at the time of correction is changed from the actual conveyance amount α ′ for each time, and the amount of change. In this embodiment, the minimum transport amount | ε | (absolute value) with which the printer 1 can transport paper is selected as the correction amount. For example, in the case where the printer 1 can carry with the maximum accuracy of 2880 dpi, | ε | = 1 [inch] /2880≈8.8 [μm].

  The correction amount ε may be a positive value or a negative value depending on the printer. When the value is positive, the transport amount at the time of correction is larger than the actual transport amount α ′ by | ε |, and when it is a negative value, the transport amount α ′ is larger than the actual transport amount α ′. Is also reduced by | ε |.

  Of course, it is possible to perform correction of 2 times, 3 times or more of ε in one correction, but if a too large correction amount is corrected at one time, the printing position will be greatly shifted, and instead the recording quality. May worsen. Therefore, the correction in units of ε can make finer grain correction and improve the recording quality.

  Note that ε also has a theoretical transport amount and an actual transport amount. However, in this embodiment, it is sufficient to handle only the actual transport amount, so that ε is treated as an actual transport amount.

  “Correction execution count” refers to the number of times of conveyance for correcting the conveyance amount. In other words, the “number of correction executions” is the number of times that determines how many times the conveyance amount is to be corrected. This “correction execution count” can be expressed by using the cumulative conveyance count from the start of use of the printer 1 or by using the relative conveyance count from the previous correction execution count.

  When the number of correction executions is expressed as the cumulative number of conveyances, the number of correction executions is n1, n2, n3,... (N1, n2, n3,... Are positive integers, n1 <n2 <n3 <...) is configured as a numerical string.

  On the other hand, when the number of correction executions is represented by the number of relative conveyances, the number of correction executions may have only one numerical value such as m (m is a positive integer), for example, {m1, m2, m3 ( In some cases, m1, m2, and m3 are positive integers)}. The case where the number of correction executions has only one numerical value is a case where the deviation can be almost completely removed by one correction, that is, when | β | = | ε |. Therefore, in this case, the correction is repeatedly performed every m-th transport from the previous correction. The case where the number of correction executions is a set of a plurality of numerical values is a case where the deviation cannot be removed almost completely by one correction and a deviation less than | ε | remains. In this case, since deviations less than | ε | are further integrated and become greater than or equal to | ε |, this also needs to be corrected. It will be expressed as a set of numerical values. For example, when the number of correction executions is a set of three numerical values, the correction is generally performed for the m1st, m2th, m3th, m1st, m2th, m3th, ..., and so on, these three times are repeated as a unit.

  In the following, when the number of correction executions is expressed by the relative number of conveyances, the case where it is expressed by only one numerical value and the case where it is expressed by a combination of a plurality of numerical values are expressed together as {m}. To do.

  The “change execution count” is necessary when the correction execution count is expressed as a relative transfer count, and refers to the transfer count at which the correction execution count is changed from a certain value to another value. The number of times of change execution is represented by the cumulative number of conveyances.

  For example, at the beginning of use of the printer 1, the correction is performed with the correction execution number (relative conveyance number) {mA}, but the accumulated number of conveyances depends on the aging of the paper feed roller drive system 40 or the paper feed roller 50. After NA becomes R times, the number of times of change execution becomes R when it is necessary to perform correction with the number of correction execution times (number of relative conveyance times) {mB} different from {mA}.

  When the number of correction executions is expressed by using the cumulative number of conveyances, the printer 1 needs to store all the correction execution times, and the amount of memory for storing increases. Since the value includes secular change, there is no need for “change execution count”, and there is an advantage that processing for determining whether or not the cumulative change count has reached the change execution count is unnecessary, as will be described later. . On the other hand, when the number of correction executions is expressed using the number of relative conveyances, the printer 1 only needs to store one value or a set of several values as the number of correction executions. Although it can be reduced, it is necessary to memorize the number of executions of change, and processing to change the value of the number of correction executions is also required. This is determined by testing one or a plurality of printers of the same model as the printer 1 as a sample. In general, printers of the same model can be considered to have almost the same tendency of deviation, so the number of correction executions and the number of change executions obtained from the samples should be used for other printers of the same model. Can do.

  The test of this sample is performed by causing the printer 1 to print an inspection pattern and comparing the printed inspection pattern with an inspection pattern based on a theoretical value. As an example of the inspection pattern, there is a ruled line with a constant interval shown in FIG. Based on the measured deviation, the number of correction executions and the number of change executions are determined.

  Specifically, the correction execution number and the change execution number are determined as follows. First, an inspection pattern is generated before the process of determining the correction execution count and the change execution count is performed. The inspection pattern is generated by printing a reference ruled line as a reference on a sheet and printing one ruled line every time the sheet is conveyed once from the reference ruled line. The ruled line is printed by the number of times of conveyance (for example, tens of thousands of times, hundreds of thousands of times, etc., hereinafter referred to as “the number of times of durable conveyance Z”). Is called.

  Next, the paper on which the ruled lines are printed is read by a scanner or the like, and the distance between the reference ruled lines and the other ruled lines, that is, the actual transport amount X, is measured and recorded on the recording medium. Thereafter, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for obtaining the correction execution number and the change execution number. The processing shown in this flowchart can be executed by a dedicated device for this processing, or can be executed by a general-purpose computer. The above-described recording medium on which the actual transport amount X is recorded is connected to these dedicated devices or computers (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated devices or the like”) via a recording medium reader.

  This flowchart shows a process that can handle both the case of using the cumulative number of conveyances and the case of using the relative number of conveyances as the correction execution number. Accordingly, when the cumulative number of conveyances is used as the number of correction executions, the process related to the relative number of conveyances is not necessary in this flowchart.

  First, as initialization, the value of the cumulative number of conveyances Na and the value of the relative number of conveyances Nr are both set to 1, and the value of the number of corrections k is set to zero (step S1). Here, the “number of corrections k” is a parameter for counting the number of corrections. Further, in order to distinguish from the cumulative conveyance number NA and the relative conveyance number NR used in an actual printing process (FIGS. 4 and 5), which will be described later, a suffix N of the cumulative conveyance number and the relative conveyance number used here is used. Use lowercase letters a and r, respectively.

  Next, the distance X (Na) between the reference ruled line and the NA-th printed ruled line from the reference ruled line is read from the recording medium, and the theoretical transport amount T ( = Na · α) is calculated according to the following equation (1) (step S2).

β (Na) = X (Na) −Na · α + k · ε (1)
Here, the sign of the correction amount ε is negative when X (Na) is larger than the theoretical value Na · T, and is positive when the opposite is true.

  Next, it is determined whether or not | β (Na) | is greater than or equal to | ε | (step S3). The reason why the absolute value is adopted for both values is that both values may be negative values, but here it is necessary to compare the magnitude relationship as a distance (ie, a positive value).

  If | β (Na) | is less than | ε | (No in step S3), the number of corrections has not yet been reached, and thus the process proceeds to step S6, where the value of the cumulative conveyance number Na and the relative conveyance number Nr are reached. Both values are incremented by one.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the cumulative conveyance number Na is equal to or greater than the durable conveyance number Z (step S7). If the cumulative conveyance number Na is less than the durable conveyance number Z, there is still data to be processed, so the process returns to step S2 and the processes from step S2 to S7 are repeated again.

  After repeating such a loop process several times, if | β (Na) | becomes equal to or larger than | ε | in step S3 (Yes in step S3), at this point in time, the actual sheet is conveyed. Then, the conveyance amount is corrected. Therefore, the value of the cumulative conveyance number Na and the value of the relative conveyance number Nr at this time are stored as a set in the internal memory of the dedicated device or the like as the correction execution number (step S4).

  Subsequently, since the conveyance amount is corrected once in the actual conveyance of the sheet, the value of the correction number k is incremented by 1, and the value of the relative conveyance number Nr is reset to zero. (Step S5). Next, the value of the cumulative conveyance number Na and the value of the relative conveyance number Nr are both incremented by 1 (step S6).

  After these processes are repeated until the cumulative conveyance number Na reaches the durable conveyance number Z (Yes in step S7), the process ends.

  After this process is completed, the set of Na and Nr values stored in the internal memory of the computer is analyzed. When the cumulative number of times of conveyance is used as the number of times of correction execution, since the number of times of change execution is not necessary, only a series of Na stored in the internal memory is stored in the ROM of the control device 10 (see FIG. 1) of the printer 1 to be shipped. Alternatively, it is stored (recorded) in the recording medium 70 (see FIG. 1) and used in the printer 1 during actual printing.

  On the other hand, when the relative conveyance count is used as the correction execution count, the change execution count is required. Therefore, the change execution count is obtained from a series of Na and a series of Nr values stored in the internal memory of the computer.

  For example, if a series of Nr stored in the internal memory is 1 ≦ Na <N1, it is a repetition of one value ma, N1 ≦ Na <N2 is a repetition of one value mb, and N2 ≦ Na ≦ Z. In the case of repeating one value of mc, the number of correction executions is ma when 1 ≦ Na <N1, mb when N1 ≦ Na <N2, and mc when N2 ≦ Na (≦ Z), and the number of executions of change is N1. , N2.

  When the series of NR stored in the internal memory is 1 ≦ Na <N4, it is a repetition of a set of three values {md, me, mf}, and when N4 ≦ Na <N5, it is a repetition of one value of mg. Yes, when N5 ≦ Na ≦ Z is a repetition of a set of two values {mh, mi}, the number of correction executions is {md, me, mf}, and N4 ≦ Na <N5 when 1 ≦ Na <N4. In mg, N5 ≦ Na (≦ Z), {mh, mi} is obtained, and the number of times of change execution is N4, N5.

  The processing for determining the number of correction executions and the number of change executions described so far is performed for each recording mode, and the number of correction executions and the number of change executions are obtained for each recording mode. Then, the number of correction executions and the number of change executions for each recording mode are stored (recorded) in the ROM or the storage medium 70 of the printer control device 10 that is shipped, and used during actual printing.

[Print processing including correction processing]
(1) Printer Using Cumulative Transportation Count as Correction Execution Count FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the printer 1 using the cumulative conveyance count as the correction execution count.

When the control device 10 (see FIG. 1) receives print control data from an external device, the recording mode data included in the print control data is referred to, and the number of correction executions corresponding to the recording mode is determined by the control device 10. From the ROM or the recording medium 70 (step S11).

  Subsequently, the cumulative number of times of conveyance NA of the printer 1 is read from the RAM of the control device 10 (step S12). Subsequently, the value of NA is incremented by 1 (step S13), and then the carriage 30 is main-scanned and printing is performed (step S14).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the NA value incremented in step S13 is equal to any one of the plurality of correction execution times selected in step S11 (step S15).

  If the NA value is not equal to any of the plurality of correction execution times (No in step S15), the normal one-time actual conveyance amount α ′ is carried (step S16). At this time, the controller 10 issues a command to carry the theoretical carry amount α, but the carry amount by the paper feed roller drive system 40 and the paper feed roller 50 becomes the actual carry amount α ′.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed (step S18). If printing has not ended (No in step S18), the process returns to step S13, and the above-described processes from step S13 to S18 are repeated.

  In step S15, when the value of NA becomes equal to any one of a plurality of correction execution times (Yes in step S15), the actual conveyance in which the correction amount ε is added to the single conveyance amount α ′. A quantity (α ′ + ε) is conveyed. In this case as well, the control device 10 issues a command to carry the corrected theoretical carry amount, but the actual carry amount is (α ′ + ε).

  After such processing is repeated, if it is determined in step S19 that printing has been completed (Yes in step S18), the value of the cumulative conveyance number NA at this time is stored in the RAM of the control device 10. The print processing is completed. The stored cumulative conveyance number NA is read and used at the next printing.

  In this flowchart, the process of step S13 may be performed after the process of step S14. Depending on the printer, printing in step S14 and transporting in steps S16 and S17 may be performed in reverse order.

(2) Printer Using Relative Transportation Count as Correction Execution Count FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of printing processing in the printer 1 using the relative conveyance count as the correction execution count.

  First, referring to FIG. 5, when the control device 10 (see FIG. 1) receives print control data from an external device, the recording mode data included in the print control data is referred to and corresponds to the recording mode. The number of correction executions and the number of change executions are selected from the ROM of the control device 10 or the recording medium 70 (step S21).

  Here, as the number of correction executions, {m1} when the cumulative transport number NA is 1 ≦ NA <N1, {m2} when N1 ≦ NA <N2, and {m3} when N2 ≦ NA (≦ Z). And N1 and N2 as the number of executions of change. It should be noted that in actual printing, printing exceeding the durable transport count Z may be performed, and therefore, in general, there is no upper limit of “NA ≦ Z”.

  Subsequently, the cumulative conveyance number NA so far is read from the RAM of the control device 10, and the value of the relative conveyance number NR is initialized to zero (step S22). Subsequently, the values of NA and NR are each incremented by 1 (step S23), and then the carriage 30 is main-scanned and printing is performed (step S24).

  Next, the number of correction executions is selected (step S25). This determination is performed by comparing the cumulative conveyance number NA with the change execution number. As described above, {m1} when 1 ≦ NA <N1 (step S26), {m2} when N1 ≦ NA <N2 (step S27), and {m3} when N2 ≦ NA (step S28). Is selected.

  Subsequently, moving to FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the relative conveyance number NR is equal to the selected correction execution number (step S29). When the correction execution number is a set of a plurality of values, for example, {md, me, mf}, the relative conveyance number NR is md in the first comparison, me in the second comparison, Comparison with these three values is repeated periodically, such that each comparison is made with mf in the second comparison and again with md in the fourth comparison.

  If the relative conveyance number NR is not equal to the correction execution number (No in Step S29), the normal one-time actual conveyance amount α ′ is conveyed (Step S30). If the relative conveyance number NR is equal to the correction execution number (Yes in step S29), the corrected conveyance amount (α ′ + ε) is conveyed (step S31), and the value of the relative conveyance amount NR is reset to zero. (Step S32).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed (step S33). If printing has not ended (No in step S33), the process returns to step S23 in FIG. 5, and the processes from step S23 to S33 described above are repeated. If printing has been completed (Yes in step S33), the value of the cumulative conveyance number NA at this time is stored in the RAM of the control device 10 (step S34), and the printing process ends.

  In this flowchart, the process of step S23 may be performed after the process of step S24. Depending on the printer, printing in step S24 and transporting in steps S30 and S31 may be performed in reverse order.

  As can be understood from the above description, the present invention described so far can be applied to the case of printing on a cut sheet, and also to the case of printing on a continuous sheet such as a roll sheet. In the above-described embodiment, the regular feeding printer is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an irregular feeding printer.

  According to the present invention, the conveyance amount of the recording material when the correction execution count is reached is corrected, and the actual conveyance amount up to that time is set as the theoretical conveyance amount, or the theoretical conveyance amount is reached. Therefore, it is possible to carry out more accurate conveyance, thereby improving the recording quality.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printer 1 that is one of recording apparatuses. The theoretical transport amount and the actual transport amount when the sheet transport is performed by regular feeding are shown. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process for calculating | requiring the correction | amendment execution frequency and the change execution frequency. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process at the time of a printing process in the printer 1 that uses the cumulative number of conveyance times as a correction execution number. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process at the time of a printing process in the printer 1 that uses a relative conveyance number as the number of times of correction execution. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process at the time of a printing process in the printer 1 that uses a relative conveyance number as the number of times of correction execution.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 10 Control apparatus 20 Carriage drive system 30 Carriage 40 Paper feed drive system 50 Paper feed roller 60 Storage medium reader 70 Storage medium

Claims (6)

A recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus that records on a recording material by alternately repeating reciprocation of a carriage provided with a recording head in the main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction,
First counting means for counting the number of times of conveyance in the sub-scanning direction;
It is determined whether or not the number of conveyance times counted by the first counting means is the number of correction executions designated by the relative number of conveyances from the correction execution time and reaches a predetermined correction execution number. 1 judging means;
With
If the first determination means determines that the number of conveyance times counted by the first counting means has not reached the number of correction executions, the sub-scanning direction of that time according to a predetermined conveyance amount command Transport the recording material to
If it is determined by the first determination means that the number of conveyance times counted by the first counting means has reached the number of correction executions, the number of conveyances is determined according to the instruction for the conveyance amount obtained by correcting the predetermined conveyance amount. A recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus, wherein the recording material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction for a number of times,
A recording position correcting apparatus for a recording apparatus, wherein the number of correction executions is changed in accordance with an accumulated number of conveyances from the start of use of the recording apparatus. According to claim 1, when the first conveyance number of times counted by the counting means reaches the corrected number of times of execution, and Turkey with the first further reset means to reset the count to zero of the counting means A recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus.   3. The correction execution times according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of correction execution times are provided, and each of the correction execution times is different from each other in accordance with the accumulated number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction from the start of use of the printing apparatus. The second counting means for counting the cumulative number of times of conveyance in the sub-scanning direction from the start of use of the printing apparatus, and the number of conveyance times counted by the second counting means are determined in advance. In addition, a second determination unit that determines whether any one of a plurality of change execution counts having different values has been reached, and the second determination unit are counted by the second counting unit. If it is determined that the number of transported times has reached one of the change execution times, the subsequent correction execution times are set to the correction execution times corresponding to the accumulated transport times. Recording position correction device for a recording apparatus characterized by further comprising changing means for changing, to.   4. The plurality of change execution times according to claim 3, wherein the recording head records a plurality of inspection patterns on a recording material before the use of the recording apparatus, and the recorded inspection patterns and theoretical values are recorded. When the number of correction executions is determined based on the difference between the two, the correction execution number is changed from one value or a set of values to another value or value. A recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus, characterized in that the number of conveyance times when changing to a set of   A recording apparatus comprising the recording position correction apparatus for a recording apparatus according to claim 1. This is a recording position correction method for a recording apparatus that records on a recording material by alternately repeating reciprocation of the carriage provided with the recording head in the main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction. And
Count the number of conveyances in the sub-scanning direction,
A determination is made as to whether the counted number of conveyances is a correction execution number specified by a relative number of conveyances from the correction execution time and has reached a predetermined correction execution number;
If it is determined that the counted number of conveyances has not reached the number of correction executions, the recording material is conveyed in that sub-scanning direction in accordance with a predetermined conveyance amount command,
If the transport number of the count is determined to have reached the correct execution count according to the instruction of the conveyance amount obtained by correcting the predetermined conveying amount, for conveying of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction of the rotating < A recording position correction method for a recording apparatus, comprising:
A recording position correction method for a recording apparatus, wherein the number of correction executions is changed in accordance with an accumulated number of conveyances from the start of use of the recording apparatus.

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