JP4381294B2 - Image recording apparatus, image recording method, and image recording system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention images recording apparatus, an image recording method and image a recording system, scanning means a plurality of image recording means based on the converted raster image data to the supplied output data format data from the image processing apparatus in detail The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that scans and records an image on a recording medium .

  Conventional image recording apparatuses include a direct recording type that directly records an image on a recording medium such as paper, and an indirect recording that records an image on an intermediate recording medium and transfers the image onto a final recording medium. There are types. As an indirect recording type image recording apparatus widely used at present, there is a laser printer using an electrophotographic process. In a laser printer using this electrophotographic process, a charged photoreceptor is exposed according to recorded image information to form an electrostatic latent image, which is then visualized by a developing machine and transferred to a recording medium such as paper to record an image. Do. In this method, a recorded image is formed on a photosensitive member as an intermediate recording member in the form of an electrostatic latent image. As a means for forming image information on a photosensitive member as an intermediate recording member, a laser exposure apparatus that scans with a polygon mirror that rotates laser light is mainly used. As other means for forming image information on the photoconductor, an LED array exposure apparatus in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in an array, a liquid crystal shutter array exposure apparatus in which liquid crystal shutters are arranged in an array to control exposure, etc. It has been known.

  On the other hand, as a method for directly recording an image on a recording medium such as paper, an ink jet recording method in which ink is directly jet-recorded on the paper according to image information, or a thermal recording method in which a heating element array is brought into direct contact with a thermal recording medium for recording. A system such as a thermal transfer recording system in which a thermal transfer ink sheet is brought into contact with a recording medium and ink is transferred to the recording medium with a heating element has been put into practical use.

  In order to obtain a large size recorded image by the above-described image forming method using the laser exposure apparatus, the laser scanning width must be widened. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the distance from the polygon mirror to the photosensitive member which is an intermediate recording member, and the size of the laser exposure apparatus becomes very large. Further, when the scanning width is large, the scanning speed is increased, so that the clock of the image to be recorded must be increased. For these reasons, laser exposure apparatuses are not often used for large-sized image recording apparatuses exceeding A3 to A2.

  Further, in an image forming system using an array head such as an LED array device or a liquid crystal shutter array, it is necessary to use an array head having a length corresponding to the recording width in order to obtain a large-sized recording image. However, since the array head of the image printing apparatus is required to have a high definition of 300 to 600 dpi or more, it is not easy to lengthen the array head manufactured by using a semiconductor process. Further, since the electrophotographic process method is a page recording method, an array head corresponding to the recording width is required.

  On the other hand, in a recording system that moves and scans the recording head itself in the main scanning direction, such as an inkjet recording system, a thermal recording system, and a thermal transfer recording system, an image recording apparatus that obtains a large-sized image can be constructed relatively easily. However, the recording system that scans the recording head has a drawback that the moving mechanism of the head is complicated, and the recording time becomes longer as the image becomes larger. In order to overcome this point, it is effective to use a long array head corresponding to the recording width even in the method of scanning the recording head. However, it is difficult to produce a long array head. Furthermore, in order to obtain a long recording head with a recording head such as an LED array exposure apparatus, an array recording head of a certain length is manufactured using a semiconductor process or the like, and this is connected with high accuracy. is required. The A3 size recording image width is 300 mm, and the A2 size image recording width is 420 mm or more, and it is difficult to produce a long recording head only by a semiconductor process.

  Incidentally, in general, an image recording apparatus is required to have a recording density of 300 to 600 dpi, that is, a recording head element density of 80 to 40 μm or less. It is difficult to connect a head having such a high-definition recording density, resulting in a very expensive recording head. Further, since the pitch variation between the recording head elements is likely to occur at the connection position, there is a problem that the connection position is easily observed as unevenness in the recorded image.

In addition, as a recording apparatus capable of recording large format images, a plurality of recording heads for irradiating beam spot light to a recording medium mounted on a cylindrical drum are juxtaposed and simultaneously driven. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 proposes a method for correcting the error between the heads by detecting the position.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-185196

  However, in order to correct the error between the heads as in the method of Patent Document 1, a correction mechanism that mechanically adjusts the head position is required, and a correction mechanism that satisfies the demand for high definition is realized. Is difficult. Further, if the head position is not adjusted correctly, a step, gap, or overlap will occur in the formed image.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, by making adjustments with digital control rather than mechanical control, inaccuracies in the image formation and the artifacts can be minimized, images recording apparatus, an image It is an object to provide a recording method and an image recording system .

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing apparatus of the present invention scans a plurality of image recording means by scanning means based on raster image data supplied from the image processing apparatus and converted into output data format data. The image is recorded on the recording medium. Then, the image recording apparatus of the present invention determines each scanning position of the plurality of image recording means based on the scanning position information which is the information on the scanning position of the image to be recorded, which is given to the output data format data. It has a scanning position determining means for controlling the scanning means, among the plurality of image recording means, and an image forming is one image recording unit, an image of another image recording means adjacent to said image recording means to form In the case where a gap or overlap occurs, correction data is added to the output data format data based on the scanning position information . Therefore, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus in which the recording position error in the sub-scanning direction, which is the scanning direction of the image recording means, can be made inconspicuous and an image can be output with little disturbance.

  Furthermore, since the scanning position information includes at least information on the number of image recording means mounted on the image recording apparatus, it becomes easy to specify the recording method of the image recording apparatus, and the necessary image processing method can be changed or selected. This can be done from the output image data.

  Further, since the scanning position information includes at least information on the scanning start position of the image recording apparatus, the scanning position of the image recording apparatus can be known.

  Furthermore, the scan position information can be known without calculating the positional deviation of the adjacent scans by having at least information on the relative positions of the scan start positions adjacent to each other.

  Further, since at least a part of the raster image data and at least a part of the scanning position information are associated with the scanning position of the image recording apparatus, the position where the image data should be output can be specified.

  Furthermore, since the scanning position information is associated with a device ID that specifies an image recording device, the device can be specified when using a plurality of image recording devices.

  The output data format data is generated by rearranging raster image data based on scanning position information. Therefore, the image data can be arranged in the order in which the images are scanned.

Further, the raster image data and the scanning position information associated with the raster image data are arranged such that the scanning position information is supplied to the image recording apparatus first. Therefore, the scanning position of the data can be known before the image data is output. The correction data is image data that does not draw an image.

According to another invention, an image is recorded on a recording medium by scanning a plurality of image recording means with a scanning means based on raster image data supplied from an image processing apparatus and converted into output data format data. According to the recording method, the scanning means is controlled by determining each scanning position of the plurality of image recording means based on the scanning position information, which is information on the scanning position of the image to be recorded, given to the output data format data. If a gap or overlap occurs between an image formed by one image recording unit and an image formed by another image recording unit adjacent to the image recording unit among the plurality of image recording units, scanning is performed. It is characterized in that correction data is added to the output data format data based on the position information. Therefore, the recording position error in the sub-scanning direction, which is the scanning direction of the image recording means, can be made inconspicuous.

Furthermore, an image recording system as another invention is an image processing apparatus for converting raster image data supplied to the image recording apparatus into output data format data suitable for the image recording apparatus, and the image processing apparatus supplied from the image processing apparatus. And an image recording apparatus that scans a plurality of image recording means by a scanning means based on the raster image data converted into the output data format data, and records an image on a recording medium. Then, the image recording apparatus determines each scanning position of the plurality of image recording means based on the scanning position information, which is information on the scanning position of the image to be recorded, given to the output data format data, and controls the scanning means. A scanning position determination unit that performs a gap between an image formed by one of the plurality of image recording units and an image formed by another image recording unit adjacent to the image recording unit. When duplication occurs, the correction data is added to the output data format data based on the scanning position information . Therefore, the recording position error in the sub-scanning direction, which is the scanning direction of the image recording means, can be made inconspicuous .

According to the image recording method of the present invention , a gap is formed between an image formed by one image recording unit and an image formed by another image recording unit adjacent to the image recording unit among the plurality of image recording units. Alternatively, if overlap occurs, correction data is added to the output data format data based on the scanning position information, so that the recording position error in the sub-scanning direction, which is the scanning direction of the image recording means, can be made inconspicuous .

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus which is an example of an image recording apparatus to which an image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this figure, an image forming unit 15 has an energy bundle 15 on a drum 13 rotated via a belt 12 by a motor 11 as a power source, which will be described in detail later, and a recording medium 14 fixed to the surface or inner surface of the drum 13. And a plurality of energy irradiation devices 16 for irradiating. Each energy irradiation device 16 includes a laser 17 such as a semiconductor laser as a recording light source, and a lens 18 for condensing the laser light irradiated by the laser 17 on the recording medium 14 as an energy bundle 15. Each is composed. The drum diameter of the drum 13 and the length in the longitudinal direction of the drum 13 are determined so that the maximum size of the recording medium 14 on which an image is recorded can be wound.

  Further, the scanning table 19 provided with the energy irradiation device 16 and movable along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 13 is moved by rotation of a ball screw or a linear motor. Further, the rotation speed of the drum 13 and the amount of movement of the scanning table 19 are controlled by the control device 20. Further, the rotation speed of the drum 13 can be grasped by using an encoder 21 provided at the shaft portion of the drum 13 or a stepping motor or a servo motor. Further, the movement amount of the drum 13 can also be grasped by servo control of a stepping motor or a linear motor, and a detection sensor for the movement amount necessary for the servo mechanism is used as appropriate. Further, the energy irradiation device 16 is conveyed by an optical fiber from, for example, a semiconductor laser, an LED, or a higher energy solid state laser / gas laser, and a laser, an electric heating element, or the like can be used as an energy source. The irradiated energy bundle 15 is converged by the lens 18 and forms an energy focus on the surface of the recording medium 14. A heat source can be realized by bringing the heat source into contact with the surface of the recording medium 14.

  Further, when a silver salt photosensitive material is used for the recording medium 14, light is used as an energy source. The wavelength of the light source is selected according to the reaction wavelength range of the silver salt photosensitive material. Further, when used for printing, it is also possible to produce an original film or directly form an image on a plate. In the energy irradiation device 16, the control device 20 controls the amount of energy and the time for irradiation. Since the energy irradiation device 16 is installed on the scanning table 19, the energy bundle 15 can be scanned in the drum axis direction of the recording medium 14. In addition, the recording medium 14 can be scanned in the drum rotation direction by the rotation of the drum 13. Furthermore, the energy irradiation device 16 is installed on a plurality of scanning tables 19. It is desirable that the energy focal points from each energy irradiation device 16 be installed at equal intervals in the drum axis direction. In addition, a sensor for determining a reference position for the angle of the drum 13 is installed. Then, when the rotation angle of the drum 13 reaches the angle at which the sensor is installed, a signal is sent to the control device 20. This can be realized by providing a light-shielding plate (not shown) on the circumference of the drum 13, installing a light transmission sensor on the side of the drum, and blocking the light of the light transmission sensor at a desired angle. This angle is the drum rotation origin. Further, the drum rotation origin is associated with the recording start position in the vertical direction of the recording medium 14. The scanning table 19 is provided with a sensor (not shown) indicating the left end and the right end of the movable range. Apart from this, a sensor (not shown) indicating the origin of the scanning table is provided within the movable range. The signals from these sensors are sent to a control device (not shown). These sensors can also be realized by a light transmission sensor or the like.

  The scanning platform origin (not shown) is associated with the recording start position in the left-right direction of the recording medium 14. When recording image original data on the recording medium 14, the scanning table 19 is first moved to the scanning table origin, and then the drum 13 is rotated. As the drum 13 rotates, a signal of the drum rotation origin is sent to the control device 20 for each rotation of the drum. A density signal of the image original data is sent to the energy irradiation device 16 with reference to the time when the drum rotation origin signal is received. The energy amount of the energy irradiation device 16 is associated with the density level of each pixel of the image original data. Then, during one rotation of the drum 13, one column of image original data in the vertical direction is sent to one energy irradiation device 16. One column of other columns in the image original data having a distance corresponding to the interval between a plurality of arranged energy focal points is sent to each energy irradiation device 16. When the image data for one column has been sent, the scanning table 19 is moved to wait for the next drum rotation origin signal. Then, the image document data in the next row is sent to the energy irradiation device 16. This operation is repeated every time the drum 13 is rotated once. When the scanning table 19 moves and moves to a region where the adjacent energy bundle is formed, the image recording is finished.

  Further, the movement amount of the scanning table 19 is stored in a data table 22 included in the control device 20. The data table 22 stores the movement amount of the scanning table 19 associated with the column number in the drum rotation direction of the image original data. Before sending one row of image original data to the energy irradiation device 16, the movement amount of the data table 22 corresponding to the image row data is read, and the scanning table 19 is moved by an amount corresponding to the read value. The data tables 22 may all store the same movement amount. Further, any amount of movement in each column may be used. Usually, a movement amount for one pixel determined by the pixel density of the image to be formed is set. For example, when the pixel density is 1200 dpi, data for moving the scanning table by 1/1200 inch is stored. If all the values in the data table 22 are the same, the scanning table 19 may be moved by a movement amount set as a specified value without being stored in the data table 22. Further, although the recording medium 14 is wound around the drum 13 as shown in FIG. 1, the drum 13 itself may be a recording material. The scanning table 19 moves a scanning movement distance larger than the interval between the adjacent lasers 17 in the energy irradiation device 16. Thereby, a portion where the adjacent lasers 17 are recorded on the recording medium 14 is provided in an overlapping manner, and the overlapping portion can be used for recording position adjustment, and recording is performed using output data based on the scanning position information.

  Here, an example in which the number of light sources is increased to increase the recording speed will be described. As an example, FIG. 2, which is a configuration diagram showing another configuration of the image forming unit in the image forming apparatus, divides the energy irradiation device 16 into two rows and halves the interval between adjacent recording spots. In this example, the position of the recording spot is not linear. In order to arrange the positions of the recording spots in a straight line, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the directions of the two energy irradiation devices 16 are changed so that the energy irradiation devices 16 are arranged in a staggered manner. FIG. 4 shows an example in which, for example, two polygon scanning devices 23 are arranged. By arranging a plurality of scanning devices 23, a recording device having a wide width can be configured. Adjacent scanning devices 23 are arranged so that portions where the recordable ranges overlap on the recording medium 14 are formed. The overlapping portion can be used for adjusting the recording position of the scanning device, and is recorded by output data based on the scanning position information. FIG. 5 shows an example of a recording apparatus using an inkjet head. A plurality of inkjet heads 24 are arranged. Adjacent heads are arranged so as to have portions that can be recorded on the recording medium 14 in an overlapping manner. The overlapping portion can be used for recording position adjustment, and is recorded by output data based on scanning position information. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an image recording apparatus equipped with image position detecting means. In the figure, an image position detecting means 25 detects a recorded image on the recording medium 14. In this example, a state where a two-dimensional image is acquired is shown. An image in which the positional relationship between the recorded images of the respective beams is known in advance is recorded on the recording medium 14. The image position detection means 25 acquires the recorded image. Then, the positional error of the recorded image is detected by looking at the correlation between the acquired image and the original image. The image position detection means 25 is movable on the surface of the recording medium 14 so that an image formed between arbitrary adjacent lasers can be acquired. In this example, an arbitrary position on the recording medium can be observed by the rotation of the drum 13 and the movement in the drum axis direction. Instead of moving the image position detecting means 25, a plurality of image position detecting means may be arranged. In this example, a configuration for acquiring an image on the drum surface is provided, but the image position detecting means 25 may be arranged in the process of discharging the recording medium 14 from the drum 13. In this case, if the recording medium 14 in the detection region of the image position detection means 25 is made flat, an image without distortion of the detected image can be easily obtained. As described above, the positional error of the recorded image obtained from the image position detecting means 25 is reflected in the scanning position information of the image forming apparatus information, so that the positional deviation with time can be corrected. The image recording apparatus 30 updates and holds the image forming apparatus information 32 stored in the information storage means 31 with the information from the image position detection means 25 as shown in FIG. If the image forming apparatus information 32 can be output to the outside, output data format data can be created based on this information. When there are a plurality of image recording apparatuses, a device ID 33 unique to each image recording apparatus is assigned as means for specifying the image recording apparatus. By linking the image forming apparatus information 32 and the apparatus ID 33, it is possible to determine which image recording apparatus the image forming apparatus information 32 is based on.

Next, a drive source for driving the drum and a means for transmitting the drive from the drive source to the drum will be described.
Motors are used as a drive source for driving the drum. At that time, since high-precision position control is required, it is necessary to be able to control the rotational position of the motor. Accordingly, the motor type is preferably one that can control the rotation speed, such as a servo motor, a brushless motor, or a stepping motor. If you want to drive with low noise, a servo motor or brushless motor is preferable to a stepping motor. The rotation direction of the drum by the driving source is the main scanning, and the sub-scanning is performed using a stage or the like for scanning the recording unit in the drum axis direction. Therefore, every time the drum rotates, the stage scans the recording means in the drum axis direction by one dot, and this is repeated to form an image.

  Also, gears, belts, joints for direct drive, etc. can be cited as means for transmitting the drive from the drive source to the drum. However, when driving with gears, care must be taken regarding problems such as gear eyes and noise. Don't be. Further, the vibration due to the noise causes a decrease in recording position accuracy. Furthermore, if a large amount of backlash is to be taken in order to solve the noise problem, even a slight load fluctuation causes a decrease in recording accuracy. In the case of direct drive, the problem of noise can be solved, but joint brushing becomes a problem. In addition, the drum and motor rotate equally, and depending on the conditions used, a motor with special specifications is required, resulting in high costs. Considering the above points, a belt as shown in FIG. 1 is used. The belt is divided into a timing belt and a flat belt. In the case of the timing belt, since there is meshing with the pulley, there is a concern about noise and streaking of the image due to teeth, even if not as much as the gear at the meshing portion. There is also backlash. On the other hand, because the drive is transmitted by friction in the flat belt, it is advantageous for noise and streaking, and there is no backlash, so even if there is load fluctuation, the drum rotation disturbance due to the belt is suppressed. The rotational accuracy of the drive source can be directly transmitted to the drum.

  In this case, the concern is the vibration and expansion / contraction of the belt itself. The belt should be treated as an elastic body, so that it expands and contracts, and vibrations are generated when load fluctuations are combined. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the belt. Therefore, it is better to use a metal belt. If a metal belt is used, the rigidity of the belt is high, so that the above problem is solved, and the belt can be transmitted to the drum without impairing the driving accuracy from the driving source. The metal belt has a substantially constant thickness over the entire area. Since it is made of metal, it is needless to say that the belt itself must be thin so that it can be bent smoothly because of its high rigidity. Further, if the thickness varies, vibration may occur due to a change in characteristics at the time of bending, and as a result, the rotational accuracy of the drum is impaired. Further, if the bending characteristics are uneven, the bending may occur in a certain part, and the life may be shortened. From the above, the thickness of the metal belt is made almost constant over the entire area.

  Thus, it has become clear that the use of an unengaged belt is advantageous for noise and also for image disturbance due to load fluctuations and gear eyes. However, when an unengaged belt is used, there is a problem of an accumulated positional shift with respect to the rotation of the drum with respect to the rotation of the drive source. Further, since there is a possibility of slipping, the accumulated positional deviation may further increase. Since gears and timing belts are meshed, if the meshing does not shift, the drum rotation relative to the rotation of the drive source may accumulate even during long-time rotations, even if there are minor fluctuations. Therefore, it is possible to drive in an open loop.

  Next, processing for adding image recording device information to image data to be sent to the image recording device in the image processing method of this embodiment will be described. The image recording apparatus changes the scanning position at the time of image recording based on the scanning position information. Here, the scanning position information includes information indicating the disturbance of the formed image due to the scanning position error. The raster image data represents an image as an array of points, and a flat image can be handled as a two-dimensional array. For example, FIG. 8A shows a monochrome binary image of 8 × 8 dots. When the arbitrary image recording apparatus records the image of FIG. 8A with the vertical direction as the main scanning, the image recording apparatus performs the main scanning direction in the order of a column, b column, c column,. Record an image. At this time, the output data format data is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, A, B, C,..., H represent the scanning position information 41. That is, A represents the information of the scanning position where the image a row is written by the image recording device, and similarly B, C,..., H are written by the image recording devices of the image rows b, c,. Represents scanning position information. The output data format data is arranged as, for example, scanning position information A, image row a, scanning position information B, image row b, scanning position information C, image row c,. The images are arranged in the order in which they are scanned by the image recording apparatus, and the scanning position information A is arranged before the image row a so that it is supplied to the image recording apparatus before a. As a result, the image recording apparatus obtains information for confirming where the scanning position is before recording the image sequence. Note that the order of data is not limited to the example described above, and the scanning position information A, B, C,..., H, and the image sequences a, b, c,. Further, the scanning position information A, B, C,..., H may be separated from the image sequences a, b, c,.

  Here, in the case of FIG. 9B, that is, when the data of the image b row is output forward by 1 dot main scanning direction and the data of the image E row is output backward by 1 dot main scanning direction. The scanning position information will be described. This occurs due to variations in main scanning during image recording. At this time, as the scanning position information A, B, C,..., H, values of 0, 1, 0, 0, −1, 0, 0, 0 are set as the main scanning start position. This value is loaded on the raster image data as scanning position information 51, and output data as shown in FIG. 9C is created. Further, based on the scanning position information 51, correction data (shown by diagonal lines) 52 as shown in FIG. 9D may be added to the image data. The correction data 52 is added so that the drawing start positions of the original image row are aligned with respect to the row farthest from the main scanning position. The correction data 52 is desirably data that does not draw an image.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of scanning position information. In the figure, the same symbols as those in FIG. 9 have the same meaning. Here, a process assuming an image recording apparatus having two image recording means (1) and (2) is shown. In the apparatus, the image recording means (1) records the right side, a, b, c, and d columns of the image shown in FIG. 10 (a), and the left side a ′, b ′, c ′, and d ′ columns are image recorded. Means (2) takes charge. Further, a and a ′, b and b ′, c and c ′, and d and d ′ are simultaneously recorded, and the recording area (1) and the recording area (2) are connected in the sub-scanning direction. It is assumed that an image recording as shown in FIG. 10B is obtained by such an apparatus. When one image is formed by using a plurality of image recording units, an image shift occurs between the recording units. FIG. 10B shows a case where a gap of 1 dot is left between the recording area (1) and the recording area (2). The scanning position information at this time is as shown in FIG. The column in which the gap is generated corresponds to the fifth column in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, an E column is provided in the column data of the image recording means (1). Scanning position information is provided for five columns of A, B, C, D, and E, and the scanning position of the sub-scan is recorded respectively. A is the first scan, and B is the second scan. The image data in the E column is a ′ of the first scan of the original image recording means (2). On the other hand, since one image data string of the image recording means (2) is transferred to the recording area (1), b ′, c ′ and d ′ are obtained. The respective operation position information A ′, B ′, and C ′ represent the first scan, the second scan, and the third scan in the sub-scanning direction. If this is the case, the number of columns of the image recording means (1) is 5, and the number of columns of the image recording means (2) is 3, so that the data structure differs for each image recording means. In order to avoid this, two correction data strings 41 of column data are added to the image recording means (2). The correction data string 41 is data that does not draw an image. Therefore, D ′ and E ′ are added as scanning position information, and data representing the fourth and fifth scans of the sub-scan are recorded. Thereby, the image recording means (1) and (2) can have the same data configuration.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of scanning position information. The same symbols as those in FIG. 10 represent the same meaning. Assume that when the image data as shown in FIG. 11A is output by the image recording apparatus, the result of FIG. 11B is obtained. In this example, the d row of the image recording means (1) and the a 'row of the image recording means (2) are overlapped by about half. The scanning position information at this time is shown in FIGS. First, in FIG. 11C, it is assumed that the overlapping portion is recorded by the image recording means (2) and not recorded by the image recording means (1). The column c of the image recording means (1) is represented as scanning position information C + with the sub-scanning position being 3.2. This represents that the column c is shifted by 0.2 from the original position of the third scan. The image recording apparatus of this example considers the case where the image recording means (1) and (2) move together in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the column c corresponding to the third scan in the recording area (1) and the column b ′ corresponding to the third scan in the recording area (2) are recorded simultaneously. In order to make the data structures of the image recording means (1) and the image recording means (2) the same, a correction data string 71 is added as shown in FIG. That is, there is C ′ at the scanning position 3 in the recording area (2), but there is no scanning position 3 in the recording area (1). Therefore, the correction data string 71 corresponding to the scanning position 3 and the scanning position information C are added. Furthermore, in the recording area (2), there are data at the scanning positions 4 and 5, but not in the recording area (1). Therefore, a correction data sequence corresponding to the scanning positions 4 and 5 and scanning position information D and E are added. Conversely, in the recording area (1), there is scanning position information C + of the scanning position 3.2, but not in the recording area (2). Therefore, a correction data sequence corresponding to the scanning position 3.2 and scanning position information C ′ + are added. When such an operation is performed, the result is as shown in FIG. Therefore, the output data in (d) of FIG. 11 is output by an image forming apparatus that can change the sub-scanning position of the recording unit based on the scanning position information. For example, the sub-scan position 3.2 of the scan position information C + is read, and the sub-scan position is moved to the 3.2-th scan position when the image data c row is recorded.

  When output is performed by such an apparatus, the output data shown in FIG. 11D obtains a recording result as shown in FIG. In other words, the gap between the b row and the d row is wider than 1 dot, but the c row is recorded at a position where it is filled in the middle. In this way, the recording position error of the image recording means is made inconspicuous.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the image processing method of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 80 shown in the figure includes an output data receiving means 81, an image formation control means 82, a scanning position determining means 83, a scanning means 84, and image recording means 85 and 86. Then, the output data receiving means 81 receives the output image data format as shown in FIG. 11, and identifies the scanning position information and the image data in the output image data format. The image formation control means 82 controls the operations of the scanning means 84 and image recording means 85 and 86 for image formation, and synchronizes the scanning positions of the image recording means 85 and 86 with the image data. The scanning position determination unit 83 determines the current scanning position based on the scanning position information and information from the image formation control unit 82 and determines and instructs the scanning unit 84 on the scanning position.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a raster image processor to which the image processing method of the present invention is applied. In the raster image processor (hereinafter abbreviated as RIP) 90 shown in the figure, an image represented in a vector format and an image represented in a bitmap format may be subjected to color separation, monochromeization, and density gradation area modulation. The raster image forming unit 91 generates a bitmap image and converts it into a format suitable for the image forming apparatus if necessary. The image forming apparatus information includes information such as the scanning position of the image forming apparatus and its shift, the number of mounted image recording apparatuses, the number of scanning lines, and a unique code that can identify the image forming apparatus. The scanning position information creation unit 72 generates scanning position information based on the image forming apparatus information. Then, the output data generating means 93 generates output data format data from the scanning position information created by the scanning position information creating means 92 and the rasterized image by the raster imaging means 91 and outputs the data to the outside. Note that the image forming apparatus information may be stored in the RIP 90 in advance. Information on a storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a storage type CD, or a semiconductor memory in which image forming apparatus information of the image forming apparatus is stored in advance may be read. Further, the image forming apparatus information may be built in the image forming apparatus 80 as shown in FIG. 14 and transmitted to the RIP 90 in response to a request from the RIP 90. For this, optical communication or protocol communication by an information network may be used. The image forming apparatus information may be in a third place. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus information is stored in a department or company that manufactures or manages the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus information are managed by the image forming apparatus management database 101, and an image corresponding to the image forming apparatus 103-1 to 103-N is obtained by an inquiry from the outside using unique information such as a unique identification code of each of the image forming apparatuses 103-1. Forming device information can be retrieved. Therefore, the RIP 102 can send the unique information for specifying the image forming apparatus to be output to the image forming apparatus management database 101 to obtain image forming apparatus information corresponding to the apparatus.

  Furthermore, the image processing method of the present invention may be applied to a printer driver. A printer driver converts and outputs data suitable for a printer that outputs character and image data, and is functionally equivalent to RIP, but RIP mainly has a rasterization function. A computer that can be specified in detail with settings that are more dependent on the printer and that is largely related to the printer output function of the OS is expressed as a printer driver. The image forming apparatus may incorporate a program according to the image processing method of the present invention. Moreover, RIP may be incorporated. Scanning position information is input by displaying a screen indicating an input method on a two-dimensional display device mounted on the image forming apparatus, such as a liquid crystal display, a display of a computer that operates a RIP, or an input screen of an image forming apparatus management database. May be. For example, the display screen is as shown in FIGS. X and Y on the screen exemplify a case where a value representing a two-dimensional coordinate of the scanning position is input. Of course, not only two-dimensional coordinates but also a screen for inputting values representing spatial coordinates such as a one-dimensional or three-dimensional or higher coordinate system, a polar coordinate system, or the like may be used.

  Next, FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specific apparatus for starting a program for executing an embodiment of the image processing method of the present invention. That is, this figure shows hardware constructed from a microprocessor or the like that executes software according to the image processing method in the above embodiment. In the figure, the image processing system includes an interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) 111, a CPU 212, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, a display device 115, a hard disk 116, a keyboard 117, and a CD-ROM drive 118. A general-purpose processing apparatus is prepared, and a readable recording medium 119 such as a CD-ROM stores a program for executing the image processing method of the present invention. Further, a control signal is input from an external device via the I / F 111, and an instruction from the operator or a program of the present invention is automatically activated by the keyboard 117. Then, the CPU 112 performs processing according to the above-described image processing method according to the program, stores the processing result in a storage device such as the RAM 114 or the hard disk 116, and outputs it to the display device 115 or the like as necessary. As described above, by using the recording medium recorded with the program for executing the image processing method of the present invention, an image processing system can be constructed universally without changing the existing system.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible as long as they are described within the scope of the claims.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus that is an example of an image recording apparatus to which an image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating another configuration of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating another configuration of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a plan view illustrating another configuration of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the image recording apparatus carrying an image position detection means. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image recording device of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the raster image data and scanning position information in this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of scanning position information. It is a figure which shows the other example of scanning position information. It is a figure which shows the other example of scanning position information. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an image processing method of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of RIP to which the image processing method of this invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which image forming apparatus information is built in an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus information management system. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a scanning position. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the specific apparatus for starting the program which performs one embodiment of the image processing method of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

41, 51; scanning position information, 52; correction data,
61, 71: correction data string.

Claims (11)

In an image recording apparatus that scans a plurality of image recording means by a scanning means and records an image on a recording medium based on raster image data supplied from an image processing apparatus and converted into output data format data.
Granted prior Symbol Output data format data, on the basis of the scanning position information that is information of the scanning position of an image to be recorded, scanning for controlling the scanning means to determine the respective scanning positions of the plurality of said image recording means Having position determining means;
When a gap or overlap occurs between an image formed by one of the plurality of image recording units and an image formed by another image recording unit adjacent to the image recording unit, An image recording apparatus, wherein correction data is added to the output data format data based on the scanning position information . The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning position information includes at least information on a number of the image recording units mounted on the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning position information includes at least information on a scanning start position of the image recording apparatus . The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning position information includes at least information on a relative position between scanning start positions adjacent to each other . At least at least a portion of a portion between the scanning position information, the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 that is associated with the scanning position of the image recording apparatus of the raster image data. The scanning position information image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5 associated with the device ID for identifying the image recording apparatus. The output data format data, the image SL recording apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the generated sorted by the raster image data to the scanning position information. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the raster image data and the scanning position information associated with the raster image data are arranged such that the scanning position information is supplied to the image recording apparatus first. . The correction data, an image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is an image data which does not draw. In an image recording method of scanning a plurality of image recording means by a scanning means based on raster image data supplied from an image processing apparatus and converted into output data format data, and recording an image on a recording medium,
Based on the scanning position information, which is information on the scanning position of the image to be recorded, given to the output data format data, each scanning position of the plurality of image recording means is determined and the scanning means is controlled. If there is a gap or overlap between an image formed by one of the image recording means and an image formed by another image recording means adjacent to the image recording means, An image recording method, wherein correction data is added to the output data format data based on scanning position information . An image processing device for converting raster image data supplied to an image recording device into output data format data suitable for the image recording device, and a raster image converted into the output data format data supplied from the image processing device In an image recording system comprising: an image recording apparatus that scans a plurality of image recording means by a scanning means based on data and records an image on a recording medium;
The image recording apparatus determines each scanning position of the plurality of image recording means based on scanning position information which is information of a scanning position of an image to be recorded, which is given to the output data format data, and the scanning means Scanning position determining means for controlling
When a gap or overlap occurs between an image formed by one of the plurality of image recording units and an image formed by another image recording unit adjacent to the image recording unit, An image recording system, wherein correction data is added to the output data format data based on the scanning position information .

Images