JP4553116B2 - Recording control data sending device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a main scanning driving means for reciprocating in a main scanning direction a recording head having a nozzle array in which nozzles for ejecting ink to the recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction; The sub-scanning driving means for conveying the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount, and the recording head, the main scanning driving means, and the sub-scanning driving means are controlled based on the recording control data to record on the recording material. In the recording apparatus having the recording control means to be executed, an error in the actual conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning driving unit with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control means is The present invention relates to a conveyance correction value setting method for setting an optimum value of a conveyance correction value for correcting a conveyance control amount for a predetermined conveyance amount of a recording material so as to be minimized.

  Main scanning drive means for reciprocating in the main scanning direction a recording head having a nozzle array in which nozzles for ejecting ink to the recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub scanning direction, and the recording material in the sub scanning direction. And a sub-scanning driving unit that carries the recording medium by a predetermined conveyance amount, and a recording control that controls the recording head, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit based on the recording control data to execute recording on the recording material. In a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer provided with a means, an error occurs between a position where an original dot should be formed and a position where a dot is actually formed by ejecting ink due to various factors.

  One of the main factors that cause an error in the dot formation position is a deviation between the head position and the ink ejection timing when ink is ejected from the recording head while reciprocating the recording head in the main scanning direction, and recording. This is a dot position shift in the main scanning direction due to a flying curve of ink by ejecting ink while moving the head. In particular, when performing so-called bidirectional printing in which ink is ejected in the bidirectional path between the forward path and the backward path when the recording head is reciprocated in the main scanning direction, the flight curve in the forward path and the flight curve in the backward path are considered. It is necessary to set the ink ejection timing. That is, the ink ejection timing in the forward path and the ink ejection timing in the backward path are defined so that the dots formed in the forward path and the dots formed in the backward path are formed at the same main scanning position (that is, on the same sub-scanning line). There must be. The ink ejection timing is theoretically determined by the moving speed of the recording head, the distance between the head surface of the recording head and the recording material, and the like. However, the ink ejection timing of a main scanning driving unit such as a carriage that reciprocates the recording head in the main scanning direction is used. Since a slight shift occurs due to individual differences, which affects recording accuracy, it is necessary to make individual adjustments for each ink jet printer, and a conventional technique for that purpose is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Another main factor that causes an error in the dot formation position is that the dots in the sub-scanning direction are caused by the transport error caused by the sub-scanning driving means that transports the recording material such as recording paper in the sub-scanning direction. Misalignment. For example, a recording material such as recording paper is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of a conveyance driving roller that is rotated by the rotation of a motor, and the recording material is conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller. In this case, an error occurs between the actual conveyance amount of the recording material with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material due to the individual difference of the conveyance drive rollers. Therefore, it is necessary to individually set a conveyance correction value for correcting the conveyance control amount of the conveyance driving roller for each ink jet printer according to individual differences.

  In the case of the sub-scanning drive unit having such a transport driving roller, the dot position deviation in the sub-scanning direction is affected by the error in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller and the eccentricity. Etc., the nozzle length of the recording head (the length from the most downstream nozzle to the most upstream nozzle in the sub-scanning direction, the so-called head height) and the outer peripheral length of the above-described transport driving roller are the same length (for example, 1 Inch). Therefore, a test pattern in which a solid coating pattern using all nozzles in the nozzle row is adjacent to the recording material in the sub-scanning direction with the recording material conveyance control amount as the outer peripheral length of the conveyance driving roller is recorded on the recording material, and different main scanning passes It was possible to identify the optimum correction value by looking at the boundary state between adjacent solid coating patterns recorded in (1). That is, by recording a solid coating pattern having a length of 1 inch in the sub-scanning direction at an interval of 1 inch in the sub-scanning direction, theoretically, there is no gap between the two solid coating patterns and an overlapping portion is generated. If the actual outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller is slightly longer than 1 inch, a gap (white stripe) is generated in the adjacent solid coating pattern, and the transport driving roller When the actual outer peripheral length is slightly shorter than 1 inch, an overlapping portion (black stripe) occurs in the adjacent solid coating pattern. Accordingly, the conveyance correction value is increased or decreased from 0 in a certain step, a plurality of sets of the test patterns are recorded on the recording material, the adjacent portions of the solid coating patterns adjacent to each test pattern are viewed, and the most gap or overlapping portion By selecting a test pattern with a narrow, it was possible to set an optimal correction value that minimizes the error in the conveyance amount due to individual differences in the conveyance drive rollers.

JP 2001-130112 A

  However, the conveyance control amount of the recording material can be increased or decreased by a very small unit of, for example, 1/1440 inch step by the conveyance correction value, and the difference between the small steps is adjacent to the solid coating pattern described above. It has been a problem that it is not an easy task to accurately determine the gap or overlapping portion by visual inspection.

  Further, when the nozzle length of the recording head and the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller are different, for example, the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller is 1 inch, whereas the nozzle length of the recording head is 3/4 inch. In some cases, in order to form a test pattern in which the solid coating pattern using all the nozzles of the recording head is adjacent in the sub-scanning direction, the conveyance amount of the recording material is controlled by a conveyance driving roller having an outer peripheral length of 1 inch. Must be 3/4 inch. In other words, since the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller and the transport amount when recording the solid coating pattern do not coincide with each other, it is affected by the eccentricity of the transport driving roller, and the individual outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller from the gap of the solid coating pattern. There arises a problem that it becomes impossible to accurately identify the difference.

  Further, since the individual differences in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller can be specified by the test pattern described above, and the individual differences in the eccentric state of the transport driving roller are not known, the individual of the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller can be identified. In addition to the correction of the conveyance amount according to the difference, it is not possible to correct the conveyance amount with higher accuracy in consideration of individual differences in the eccentric state of the conveyance drive roller.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its problem is to identify a transport error caused by individual differences of means for transporting a recording material in the sub-scanning direction for each recording apparatus and to perform optimal transport. An object of the present invention is to set the correction value easily and with high accuracy.

  Another object of the present invention is to press a recording material such as recording paper against the outer peripheral surface of a conveyance driving roller that rotates by the rotation of a motor, and the recording material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller. In the recording apparatus to be used, even when the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller is different from the nozzle length of the recording head, individual differences in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller are specified, and an optimal transport correction value is set. This is to make it easy and highly accurate.

  Another object of the present invention is to press a recording material such as recording paper against the outer peripheral surface of a conveyance driving roller that is rotated by the rotation of a motor, and the recording material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller. In the recording apparatus, it is possible to specify individual differences in the outer peripheral length and the eccentric amount of the transport driving roller.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head having a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction. Main scanning driving means for reciprocating movement, sub-scanning driving means for conveying a recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount, based on recording control data, the recording head, the main scanning driving means, and the And a recording control unit configured to control the sub-scanning driving unit to perform recording on the recording material. The sub-scanning driving with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control unit. The conveyance correction value setting that sets the optimum value of the conveyance correction value for correcting the conveyance control amount for the predetermined conveyance amount of the recording material so that the error of the actual conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the means is minimized. Way A first raster group formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles, and a rule set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction from the position where the first raster group is formed The transport correction value is different from the test pattern formed by overlapping the second raster group formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles in a state where the recording material is transported by the transport control amount. A step of causing the recording apparatus to execute recording based on test pattern recording control data for recording a plurality of patterns in the first raster group and the second raster group among the plurality of test patterns recorded on the recording material; A step of selecting a test pattern that can be recognized as a color closest to the color of the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded, and forming the selected test pattern And it has a step of setting a conveyance correction value as the optimum transport correction value in a transport correction value setting method wherein the.

  A first main scanning operation is performed using a plurality of adjacent nozzles of a recording head having a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting ink to a recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction. The one raster group and the second raster group are configured by a set of rasters corresponding to the number of used nozzles formed at intervals of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction. Further, the second raster group overlaps the first raster group in a state in which the recording material is transported from the position where the first raster group is formed in the sub-scanning direction by a specified transport control amount set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch. Form. In the test pattern formed in this way, the position of the raster in the first raster group in the sub-scanning direction and the position in the sub-scanning direction of the raster in the second raster group at the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group. Since they should theoretically match, the rasters should completely coincide and overlap. However, in reality, the raster of the first raster group is caused by an error in the actual conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning drive unit with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control unit. There is a difference between the position in the sub-scanning direction and the position of the raster in the second raster group in the sub-scanning direction.

  Therefore, first, the recording apparatus is caused to execute recording based on test pattern recording control data for recording a plurality of test patterns with different conveyance correction values. The test pattern recorded with an appropriate conveyance correction value is the sub-scanning direction position of the raster of the first raster group and the sub-scanning direction of the raster of the second raster group at the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group. Ideally, the position should match. Therefore, the conveyance correction value when the test pattern having the smallest deviation of the overlap between the rasters in the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group is recorded among the plurality of test patterns having different conveyance correction values. This is a conveyance correction value.

Here, in order to describe a method of identifying a test pattern having the smallest overlap between rasters in the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group from among a plurality of test patterns having different conveyance correction values, First, how the first raster group and the second raster group in the test pattern described above can be recognized as a recorded image will be described.
A raster group in which dots formed by arranging dots in a straight line in the main scanning direction are arranged in a nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction is a group of dots formed by arranging dots regularly. Each dot is so small that it is difficult to identify with the naked eye, and a dot is formed by adjoining the dot in the main scanning direction, and the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction (for example, 1/360 inch). Are arranged to form a first raster group and a second raster group. Therefore, for example, when the first raster group and the second raster group are formed by jetting black ink onto white recording paper, the raster formed with black ink and the white color of the gap between the rasters (the color of the recording paper) And can be recognized as a gray solid pattern.

Next, how the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group in the test pattern described above can be recognized as a recorded image will be described.
A test pattern in which the shift between the rasters at the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group is small and the conveyance correction value is relatively close to an appropriate value is obtained by comparing the rasters of the first raster group and the second raster group. Since the rasters almost coincide with each other and overlap, there are relatively many gaps between the rasters in the overlapping portion, and the color of the overlapping portion is a portion where the first raster group and the second raster group do not overlap. It can be recognized as a light gray close to the color of. On the other hand, the test pattern in which the overlap between the rasters at the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group is large and the transport correction value is slightly deviated from the proper transport correction value is between the rasters of the first raster group. In this gap, all or most of the rasters of the second raster group are formed, and there are few gaps between the rasters. For this reason, the ratio of white (recording paper color) of the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group is reduced, and the color of the overlapping portion can be recognized as dark gray. That is, the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group of the test pattern can be recognized as light gray as the conveyance correction value approaches the optimum value, and as dark gray as the conveyance correction value increases from the optimum value. In other words, the closer the conveyance correction value is to the optimum value, the closer to the color (white) of the recording surface of the recording paper, and the farther the conveyance correction value is from the optimum value, the color of the ink forming the dots. It becomes a close color.

  As described above, the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group among the plurality of test patterns having different conveyance correction values recorded on the recording material is the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded. By selecting a test pattern that can be recognized as the color closest to the color, that is, the gray closest to white in the above example, the test pattern recorded with the optimum conveyance correction value can be selected. Therefore, the test pattern of the color closest to the color of the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded is selected from a plurality of test patterns, and the transport correction value when the selected test pattern is recorded is the optimal transport correction. By setting it as a value, it is easy and highly accurate to specify the conveyance error caused by individual differences in the means for conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction for each printing apparatus and to set the optimum conveyance correction value The effect of being able to be obtained is obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the step of selecting the test pattern includes the step of selecting the first raster group and the second of the plurality of test patterns recorded on the recording material. The conveyance correction value setting method is characterized in that a test pattern that appears to be the color closest to the color of the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded is selected visually.

  As described above, the overlapping portion between the first raster group and the second raster group of the test pattern becomes closer to the color (white) of the recording surface of the recording paper as the conveyance correction value is closer to the optimum value. The further the correction value is from the optimum value, the closer to the color of the ink forming the dots. For this reason, the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group among the plurality of test patterns having different conveyance correction values recorded on the recording material is the color of the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded. It is also possible to select the test pattern recorded with the optimum conveyance correction value by visually selecting the test pattern that looks the closest color, in the above example, the gray that is closest to white.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided main scanning drive means for reciprocating in the main scanning direction a recording head having a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting ink to a recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub scanning direction. And a sub-scan driving unit that transports the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined transport amount, and the recording head, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scan driving unit are controlled based on recording control data. And a recording control means for executing recording on the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning driving means with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control means. The test pattern for setting the optimum value of the conveyance correction value for correcting the conveyance control amount for the predetermined conveyance amount of the recording material so that the error of the actual conveyance amount of the recording material is minimized is set to a different conveyance correction value. Multiple A recording control data transmitting apparatus for transmitting test pattern recording control data for turn recording to the recording control means, wherein the test pattern recording control data is formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles. And a plurality of adjacent nozzles in a state in which the recording material is conveyed with a specified conveyance control amount set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction from the position where the first raster group is formed. Recording control data for recording a plurality of test patterns with different conveyance correction values, which are formed by overlapping the second raster group formed by one main scanning operation using the same A data transmission device.

  According to the recording control data transmitting apparatus shown in the third aspect of the present invention, the test pattern obtained by causing the recording apparatus to execute recording based on the test pattern recording control data transmitted from the recording control data transmitting apparatus. By using this to set the conveyance correction value in the sub-scanning drive means of the printing apparatus, the same effect as the invention described in the first aspect can be obtained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning driving means for reciprocating in the main scanning direction a recording head having a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting ink to a recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub scanning direction. And a sub-scan driving unit that transports the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined transport amount, and the recording head, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scan driving unit are controlled based on recording control data. And a recording control means for executing recording on the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning driving means with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control means. The test pattern for setting the optimum value of the conveyance correction value for correcting the conveyance control amount for the predetermined conveyance amount of the recording material so that the error of the actual conveyance amount of the recording material is minimized is set to a different conveyance correction value. Multiple A recording control data sending device for sending test pattern recording control data for turn recording to the recording control means, wherein the sub-scanning driving means is recorded on an outer peripheral surface of a conveyance driving roller whose rotation is controlled by the recording control means. The recording material is conveyed by a conveyance amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the conveyance drive roller when the material is pressed, and the test pattern is an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction and the conveyance drive roller Each time a recording material is conveyed by a prescribed conveyance control amount set to 1 / N of the outer peripheral length (N is an integer value of 2 or more), a single main scanning operation is performed using a plurality of adjacent nozzles. The N + 1 raster groups to be formed are characterized in that N overlapping portions formed by overlapping two raster groups are formed and the overlapping portions are formed without overlapping each other. And a recording control data sending unit.

  A raster group formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles is set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch and 1 / N of the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller in the sub-scanning direction (N is an integer of 2 or more). N + 1 raster groups are formed by forming the recording material each time the recording material is conveyed by a specified conveyance control amount that is a numerical value. At this time, N overlapping portions formed by the overlapping of the two raster groups are formed, and each raster group is formed without overlapping the overlapping portions. The N + 1 raster groups formed in this way are each set of rasters corresponding to the number of used nozzles formed at intervals of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction, like the first raster group and the second raster group described above. A raster group is formed. Therefore, the overlapping portion of the two raster groups formed N is theoretically the same in the sub-scanning direction position of the rasters of the two raster groups, like the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group described above. Therefore, the rasters should be completely coincident and overlapped. However, in reality, the rasters of the two raster groups are caused by an error in the actual conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning drive unit with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control unit. Deviation occurs in the sub-scanning direction position. This misalignment is a sub-scanning configuration in which the recording material is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance driving roller whose rotation is controlled by the recording control means, and the recording material is conveyed by a conveyance amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the conveyance driving roller. In the driving means, as described above, an error in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller and an eccentric error in the rotating shaft are factors.

  Therefore, first, the recording apparatus is caused to execute recording based on the test pattern recording control data for recording a plurality of test patterns having the N overlapping portions described above with different conveyance correction values. In the overlapping portion recorded with an appropriate conveyance correction value, the positions of the two overlapping raster groups in the sub-scanning direction should ideally substantially coincide with each other. Similar to the overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group described above, the N overlapping portions are lighter gray as the conveyance correction value is closer to the optimum value, and darker as the conveyance correction value is farther from the optimum value. Become gray. In other words, the closer the conveyance correction value is to the optimum value, the closer to the color (white) of the recording surface of the recording paper, and the farther the conveyance correction value is from the optimum value, the color of the ink forming the dots. It becomes a close color.

  Here, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, numbers 1 to N are sequentially assigned to N overlapping portions arranged in the sub-scanning direction. For the first to Nth overlapping portions, a test pattern that can be recognized as being closest to the color (white) of the recording surface is selected for each overlapping portion. That is, an optimum transport correction value (= transport error) is specified for each of the first to Nth overlapping portions. Since the first to Nth overlapping portions of the test pattern are formed with an interval of 1 / N of the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller without overlapping each other, the 1 / N rotational position obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length into N parts. It is formed as an overlapping portion corresponding to each of the ranges. Therefore, by specifying an optimum conveyance correction value (= conveyance error) for each of the first to Nth overlapping portions, an optimum conveyance correction value for each 1 / N rotation position range obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length into N ( = Conveyance error) can be specified.

  As a result, according to the recording control data sending apparatus shown in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the raster group formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles is adjusted in the nozzle pitch in the sub scanning direction. N + 1 raster groups are formed each time a recording material is conveyed by a specified conveyance control amount set to an integral multiple and 1 / N of the outer peripheral length of the conveyance driving roller (N is an integer value of 2 or more). The recording control data of the formed test pattern is sent out to cause the recording apparatus to execute recording, and the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller of the recording apparatus is divided into N by the recorded test pattern. The conveyance correction value can be specified. Since the optimum conveyance correction value for each rotational position range can be comprehensively determined and the optimum conveyance correction value can be set for each recording apparatus, the outer peripheral length of the conveyance drive roller of the recording apparatus and the recording head Even if the nozzle length is different from the nozzle length, it is possible to identify individual differences in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller and set the optimal transport correction value easily and with high accuracy. It is done.

  In addition, since it is possible to specify the optimum conveyance correction value (= conveyance error) for each 1 / N rotation position range obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of the conveyance drive roller into N, not only the error in the outer peripheral length of the conveyance drive roller. Thus, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to specify an eccentric error (such as an eccentric amount and an eccentric direction) of the transport driving roller.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect described above, the test pattern includes one all-nozzle raster group formed using all the nozzles of the nozzle row, and a part of the nozzle row. N partial nozzle raster groups formed using nozzles, each partial nozzle raster group being formed with an overlapping portion with respect to all the nozzle raster groups, and the partial nozzle raster groups overlapping each other. The recording control data transmission device is characterized in that it is formed without any problems.

  In this way, a plurality of partial nozzle raster groups are formed so as to overlap each other with respect to one entire nozzle raster group to form N overlapping portions, and the recording control is performed without overlapping the overlapping portions. Data may be sent to the recording apparatus, and the same effect as the fourth aspect described above can be obtained.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect described above, the sub-scanning driving unit is configured such that the transport driving roller is located upstream of the ink ejection region by the main scanning driving unit in the sub-scanning direction. After the recording material is separated from the transport driving roller, the recording material is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge driving roller that is rotationally controlled by the recording control means disposed downstream of the ink ejection area in the sub-scanning direction. The recording material is pressed, and the recording material is conveyed by a conveyance amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the discharge driving roller, and is formed by a single main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles. In a state in which the recording material is conveyed only by the discharge driving roller at a specified conveyance control amount set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction from the position where the first raster group is formed, Multiple neighbors Recording control data for recording a plurality of test patterns with different conveyance correction values for forming a second raster group formed by one main scanning operation using an overlapping nozzle and an overlapping portion. This is a characteristic recording control data transmission device.

  In the sub-scanning drive unit having such a configuration, the recording material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the discharge driving roller after the rear end of the recording material is separated from the conveyance driving roller. The conveyance amount of the recording material is controlled by the rotation amount of the discharge driving roller. Accordingly, the subsequent conveyance error of the recording material is caused by the error of the outer peripheral length of the discharge driving roller and the eccentric error of the rotating shaft. Therefore, in order to set an optimum conveyance correction value while the recording material is conveyed only by the discharge drive roller, the test pattern formed by the first raster group and the second raster group described above is set as the discharge drive roller. Only the recording material is transported and recording control data for recording a plurality of patterns with different transport correction values is transmitted to cause the recording apparatus to perform recording. The overlapping portion of the first raster group and the second raster group among the plurality of test patterns having different conveyance correction values recorded on the recording material is the color of the recording surface of the recording material on which the test pattern is recorded. By selecting a test pattern that can be recognized as the closest color, it is possible to select a test pattern recorded with an optimum transport correction value in a state in which the recording material is transported only by the discharge drive roller. Therefore, it is easy and high to specify an optimum conveyance correction value by specifying for each recording apparatus a conveyance error caused by individual differences of the discharge drive roller when the recording material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction only by the discharge drive roller. The effect of being able to carry out with accuracy is obtained.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to sixth aspects described above, the test pattern recording control data sets the transport correction value to a predetermined transport correction value in a constant step. A recording control data sending device characterized by being recording control data for recording a plurality of test patterns added and subtracted.

  In this way, by recording a plurality of test patterns obtained by adding and subtracting the conveyance correction value with respect to the predetermined conveyance correction value in a certain step, a plurality of conveyance errors can be changed stepwise in a certain step. A test pattern can be formed. As a result, the color of the overlapping part of the test pattern changes stepwise, so that the color of the overlapping part is the closest to the color of the recording surface of the recording material (the test pattern with the optimum transport correction value). ) Can be more easily and accurately selected. Further, by recording a plurality of test patterns obtained by adding and subtracting the conveyance correction value to the predetermined conveyance correction value in a certain step, for example, when the colors of the overlapping portions of the two test patterns are almost the same The intermediate value can be specified as the optimum conveyance correction value.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to seventh aspects described above, the test pattern recording control data adds a display for identifying a conveyance correction value for each test pattern to each test pattern. The recording control data sending device is characterized in that it is recording control data to be recorded. As described above, by adding the display for identifying the conveyance correction value when the test pattern is recorded for each test pattern and recording it, it is possible to easily and reliably associate a plurality of test patterns with the conveyance correction value. The effect is obtained. For example, it can be said that it is preferable to add and record the conveyance correction value for each test pattern because the correspondence between the test pattern and the conveyance correction value can be made direct and the reliability is increased.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the recording control data according to any one of the third to eighth aspects, further comprising data generation means for generating the test pattern recording control data. It is a sending device. Thus, by providing the means for generating the test pattern recording control data, it is possible to omit the storage medium for storing the test pattern recording control data in advance, so that the storage of the recording control data sending device is possible. Media capacity can be saved. In addition, it is possible to flexibly change the conveyance correction value when recording the test pattern.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device according to any one of the third to ninth aspects, further comprising means for changing a conveyance correction value stored in the recording apparatus. It is a recording control data sending device. Thus, by providing means for setting the conveyance correction value of the recording apparatus, the test pattern recorded on the recording material is recorded after the test pattern recording control data is transmitted and the recording of the test pattern is executed by the recording apparatus. The operation for determining the optimum conveyance correction value based on the above and the operation for setting the determined optimum conveyance correction value in the recording apparatus can be performed by one recording control data sending device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
In the ink jet recording apparatus 50, the carriage guide shaft 51 serves as a “main scanning drive unit” that scans the recording paper P in the main scanning direction X by ejecting ink onto the recording paper P. A carriage 61 that is pivotally supported and moves in the main scanning direction X is provided. Mounted on the carriage 61 are a recording head 62 and an ink cartridge 611 filled with ink of each color ejected from the recording head 62. A platen 52 that defines the gap between the head surface of the recording head 62 and the recording paper P is provided facing the recording head 62. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 50, a conveyance driving roller 53 that conveys the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y is used as “sub-scanning driving means” that causes the recording head 62 to scan the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y. And a conveyance driven roller 54 are provided.

The conveyance driving roller 53 is rotationally controlled by a rotational driving force such as a stepping motor, and the recording paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 53. A plurality of transport driven rollers 54 are provided and are individually urged by the transport driving roller 53, and the recording paper P is in contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is transported by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. Rotates following the transport of A film having a high frictional resistance is applied to the surface of the transport driving roller 53. The recording paper P pressed against the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the transport driven roller 54 is brought into close contact with the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the frictional resistance of the surface, and is transported in the sub scanning direction by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. The
An operation for transporting the recording paper P between the carriage 61 and the platen 52 in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined transport amount, and ink from the recording head 62 to the recording paper P while the recording head 62 is reciprocated once in the main scanning direction X. The recording is performed on the recording paper P by alternately repeating the operation of jetting.

  A paper feed tray 57 is disposed on the upstream side of the transport driving roller 53 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The paper feed tray 57 is configured to feed recording paper P such as plain paper or photo paper, for example, and an ASF (auto sheet feeder) as a paper feeding means for automatically feeding the recording paper P is provided. Is provided. The ASF is an automatic paper feed mechanism having two paper feed rollers 57b provided on the paper feed tray 57 and a separation pad (not shown). One of the two paper feed rollers 57b is disposed on one side of the paper feed tray 57, the other paper feed roller 57b is attached to the recording paper guide 57a, and the recording paper guide 57a is a recording paper. The paper feed tray 57 is slidable in the width direction according to the width of P. When a plurality of recording sheets P placed on the sheet feeding tray 57 are fed due to the rotational driving force of the sheet feeding roller 57b and the frictional resistance of the separation pad, the plurality of recording sheets P are fed at a time. The paper is automatically and accurately fed one by one.

  Further, a paper detector 63 according to a known technique is disposed between the paper feed roller 57b and the conveyance drive roller 53. The paper detector 63 has a lever that is pivotally supported in a state that it is given a self-returning behavior to a standing posture and protrudes into the conveyance path of the recording paper P so as to be able to rotate only in the recording paper conveyance direction. The detector is configured to detect the recording paper P by rotating the lever when the tip of the lever is pressed against the recording paper P. The paper detector 63 detects the start end position and the end position of the recording paper P fed from the paper feed roller 57b, determines the recording area according to the detected position, and executes recording.

  On the other hand, as means for discharging the recording paper P after execution of recording, a paper discharge driving roller 55 and a paper discharge driven roller 56 as “discharge driving rollers” are provided. The paper discharge driving roller 55 is rotationally controlled by a rotational driving force such as a stepping motor, and the recording paper P after recording is discharged in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. The paper discharge driven roller 56 is a toothed roller having a plurality of teeth around it and sharply sharpened so that the tip of each tooth makes point contact with the recording surface of the recording paper P. The plurality of paper discharge driven rollers 56 are individually urged by the paper discharge driving roller 55, and come into contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is discharged by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. Rotates following paper discharge. A feed driving motor (not shown) for driving the paper feed roller 57b, the transport driving roller 53, and the paper discharge driving roller 55, and a carriage driving motor (not shown) for driving the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction are provided. The drive is controlled by the recording control unit 100 as a “recording control device”. Similarly, the recording head 62 is driven and controlled by the recording control unit 100 to eject ink onto the surface of the recording paper P.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to the present invention.
The recording control unit 100 includes a system bus SB. The ROM 21, RAM 22, USB controller 23, memory card interface 24, MPU (microprocessor) 26, I / O 27, and head driver 28 include data in the system bus SB. Connected for transfer. The MPU 26 performs various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 21 stores in advance software programs and data necessary for the arithmetic processing of the MPU 26. The RAM 22 is used as a temporary storage area for software programs, a work area for the MPU 26, and the like. The various motor control units 31 are drive control circuits that drive and control various motors of the ink jet recording apparatus 50.

  Various sensors 32 detect various state information of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 and output them to the I / O 27. The I / O 27 performs output control on the various motor control units 31 based on the calculation processing result in the MPU 26 and inputs input information from the various sensors 32. The USB controller 23 has a dual role USB interface function. For example, when a USB host device such as a personal computer is connected as the information processing apparatus 200 equipped with a USB host controller, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is caused to function as a USB device.

  At the time of recording, the image data is color-converted from RGB data to YMC data in the information processing apparatus 200, and then binarized to convert it into binarized YMC data to generate recording data. The generated recording data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200 to the ink jet recording apparatus 50 as recording control data together with control data for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus 50. The recording control data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200 is received by the USB controller 23 and then stored in the RAM 22. The recording control data stored in the RAM 22 is separated into control data and recording data by executing command analysis and processing for expanding the compressed data by program processing executed by the MPU 26. . The control data is transferred to the MPU 26, and the developed recording data is transferred to the head driver 28 as “head driving means”.

  On the other hand, when a USB device such as a digital camera equipped with a USB bus interface is connected, the USB controller 23 causes the ink jet recording apparatus 50 to function as a USB host apparatus. The memory card interface 24 reads image data stored in a memory card inserted in the memory card slot 25. Image data read from a USB device such as a digital camera via the USB controller 23 or image data read from a memory card via the memory card interface 24 is converted into RGB data by program processing executed by the MPU 26. Is converted to YMC data, and then binarization processing is performed to convert the data into binarized YMC data to generate recording data. The generated recording data is transferred to the head driver 28 in the same manner as when recording data is received from the information processing apparatus 200. The head driver 28 drives the recording head 62 based on the recording data, and ink of each color is ejected from the head surface of the recording head 62 onto the recording surface of the recording paper P, and recording on the recording paper P is executed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the head surface of the recording head 62.
On the head surface of the recording head 62, a nozzle row 62 </ b> K as a “dot formation element array” in which M nozzles N <b> 1 to NM as “dot formation elements” are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch D in the sub-scanning direction Y. , 62C, 62LC, 62M, 62LM, and 62Y are arranged substantially parallel to the main scanning direction X as shown in the figure. Black ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62K, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62C, and light cyan ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62LC. Magenta ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the 62M, light magenta ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62LM, and yellow ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62Y. By forming dots of different colors on the same dot formation position, recording with various color expressions is realized.

Next, the “transport correction value setting method” according to the present invention will be described.
In the “conveyance correction value setting method” according to the present invention, the actual amount of the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y by the “sub-scanning drive unit” with respect to the conveyance control amount of the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y by the recording control unit 100. This is for setting an optimum value of the transport correction value for correcting the transport control amount for the predetermined transport amount of the recording paper P so that the transport amount error is minimized.

  FIG. 5 shows a test pattern for specifying an optimum conveyance correction value when the recording paper P is conveyed by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 53 and the recording paper P is conveyed only by the rotation of the discharge driving roller 55. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a recording sheet P on which a test pattern for specifying an optimum conveyance correction value at that time is recorded, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part thereof.

  When the recording control unit 100 executes recording on the recording paper P based on the test pattern recording control data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200 as the “recording control data transmitting apparatus” to the ink jet recording apparatus 50, a test is performed as illustrated. The conveyance correction value AN is recorded as it is as an indication of the patterns T1 to T8 and the conveyance correction value AN for each test pattern. The test patterns T1 to T7 are test patterns for specifying an optimum conveyance correction value when the recording paper P is conveyed by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 53. In this embodiment, the conveyance correction value is based on 0. 7 test patterns T1 to T7 which are changed in seven steps of +1 to +3 and -1 to -3 in a certain step are recorded. As described above, by adding the display for identifying the conveyance correction value when the test pattern is recorded for each test pattern and recording it, it is possible to easily and reliably associate a plurality of test patterns with the conveyance correction value. .

  Hereinafter, the test patterns T1 to T7 will be described using the test pattern T1 as an example. The test pattern T1 is a sub-pattern from the positions where all the nozzle raster groups T1B as the “first raster group” formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles and all the nozzle raster groups T1B are formed. In the state where the recording paper P is transported in the scanning direction Y with a specified transport control amount α set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D, a second main scanning operation is performed using a plurality of adjacent nozzles. The “raster group” includes three “raster groups” including a partial nozzle raster group T1A and a partial nozzle raster group T1C. The all-nozzle raster group T1B is formed of black ink using all the nozzles in the nozzle row 62K, and the partial nozzle raster group T1A and the partial nozzle raster group T1C are black using only some of the nozzles in the nozzle row 62K. It is formed of ink, and is formed so as to overlap with all the nozzle raster groups T1B as shown. Specifically, first, after the partial nozzle raster group T1A is formed, from the position, the recording paper P is set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D. The specified transport control amount α (in this embodiment, 1/2) All nozzle raster group T1B is formed at the time when it is conveyed by (inch), and the partial nozzle raster group T1A is formed when recording paper P is further conveyed by the prescribed conveyance control amount α (1/2 inch) from that position. Thus, the test pattern T1 is formed with the above-described configuration.

Further, as an example of the test pattern recording control data, specifically, test pattern recording control data in which test patterns T1 to T7 are recorded by the following procedure can be used. First, the partial nozzle raster group T1A of the test pattern T1 is formed with the conveyance correction value AN set to -3. Next, when the conveyance correction value AN is set to +1, the recording paper P is conveyed at a constant conveyance amount control amount β, so that the recording paper P is conveyed at a conveyance amount control amount β where the conveyance correction value AN is −3 + 1 = −2. Be transported. In this state, a partial nozzle raster group T2A of the test pattern T2 is formed. Subsequently, when the conveyance correction value AN is set to +1 and the recording paper P is conveyed with a constant conveyance amount control amount β, the recording paper P is conveyed with the conveyance amount control amount β where the conveyance correction value AN is −2 + 1 = −1. Be transported. In this state, a partial nozzle raster group T3A of the test pattern T3 is formed.
Thereafter, partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A of test patterns T1 to T7 having different conveyance correction values AN are first recorded while adding the conveyance correction value AN by 1 in the same procedure.

Since the conveyance correction value AN is +3 when the partial nozzle raster group T7A is recorded, the conveyance correction value AN is subtracted by 6 to set the conveyance correction value AN to 3-6 = -3, and the partial nozzle raster group T1A is recorded. The recording paper P is transported from the position to the position transported by the specified transport control amount α (1/2 inch). In this state, all nozzle raster groups T1B of the test pattern T1 are formed. Subsequently, when the conveyance correction value AN is set to +1, the recording paper P is conveyed at a constant conveyance amount control amount β, so that the recording paper P is conveyed at a conveyance amount control amount β where the conveyance correction value AN is −3 + 1 = −2. Be transported. In this state, the entire nozzle raster group T2B of the test pattern T2 is formed.
Thereafter, all the nozzle raster groups T1B to T7B of the test patterns T1 to T7 having different conveyance correction values AN are recorded while the conveyance correction value AN is added one by one in the same procedure.

Then, the conveyance correction value AN is again subtracted by 6, and the conveyance correction value AN is set to 3-6 = -3, and the position conveyed by the specified conveyance control amount α (1/2 inch) from the position where all the nozzle raster groups T1B are recorded. The recording paper P is conveyed up to. In this state, the partial nozzle raster group T1C of the test pattern T1 is formed. Subsequently, when the conveyance correction value AN is set to +1, the recording paper P is conveyed at a constant conveyance amount control amount β, so that the recording paper P is conveyed at a conveyance amount control amount β where the conveyance correction value AN is −3 + 1 = −2. Be transported. In this state, the partial nozzle raster group T2C of the test pattern T2 is formed.
Thereafter, partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C of test patterns T1 to T7 having different conveyance correction values AN are recorded while the conveyance correction value AN is added one by one in the same procedure.

  In this way, first, the partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A are recorded, then all the nozzle raster groups T1B to T7B are recorded, and finally the partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C are recorded. The test patterns T1 to T7 can be recorded on one sheet of recording paper P without reverse feeding.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of test patterns T1 to T7 schematically showing the configuration of the “raster group”.
Here, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, the partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A and the partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C are referred to as “raster groups” each composed of three rasters, and all the nozzle raster groups T1B to T1B T7B is schematically shown as a “raster group” composed of nine rasters and will be further described.

  The test patterns T1 to T7 are recorded by ejecting ink from only the nozzle row 62K onto the recording paper P having a white recording surface, that is, forming dots only with black ink. A “raster group” formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles of a nozzle row 62K in which nozzles N1 to NM are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch D in the sub-scanning direction Y It is constituted by a set of rasters corresponding to the number of used nozzles formed at intervals of the nozzle pitch D in the scanning direction Y. All the nozzles in a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y from the position where the partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A are formed with a specified conveyance control amount α (1/2 inch) set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D. The raster groups T1B to T7B are formed, and from the position where all the nozzle raster groups T1B to T7B are formed, further in the sub-scanning direction Y, with a specified transport control amount α (1/2 inch) set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D. Partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C are formed with the recording paper P being conveyed. The partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A and the partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C are formed so as to overlap with all the nozzle raster groups T1B to T7B. The drawing shows what the overlapping portions of the test patterns T1 to T7 will be when assuming that there is no conveyance error due to an outer peripheral length error or eccentricity of the conveyance roller 53, and the optimum conveyance correction. The value AN will be 0.

  In the test patterns T1 to T7 formed in this way, in the case of the test pattern T4 in which the conveyance correction value AN is 0, the overlapping portion of the partial nozzle raster group T4A and the entire nozzle raster group T4B, and the partial nozzle raster group T4C And in the overlapping portion of all the nozzle raster groups T4B, the positions of the overlapping “raster groups” in the sub-scanning direction Y should theoretically match. As shown in the figure, they should completely overlap in the sub-scanning direction Y. However, in reality, there are individual differences in the outer peripheral length, eccentricity, and the like of the transport driving roller 53, which causes a transport error of the recording paper P, and the dots actually formed on the recording paper P are in the sub-scanning direction. It is formed at a position shifted to Y. Therefore, in a state where the conveyance control amount is not corrected by the conveyance correction value AN, a shift occurs in the position in the sub-scanning direction Y between the rasters of the overlapping “raster group”.

  Therefore, first, as described above, the test correction data AN is recorded in the test pattern recording control data for recording the test patterns T1 to T7 by changing the conveyance correction value AN in seven steps from +1 to +3 and -1 to -3 in a certain step with reference to 0. Based on this, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is caused to execute recording. Test patterns recorded with appropriate conveyance correction values overlap because the positions in the sub-scanning direction Y of the rasters of the “raster group” that overlap each other like the test pattern T4 should theoretically match. The rasters of the “raster group” should be in a state in which they overlap completely in the sub-scanning direction Y as shown. Accordingly, the conveyance correction value AN when the test pattern having the smallest overlap between the rasters in the overlapping portion of the “raster group” is recorded among the test patterns T1 to T7 is the optimum conveyance correction value AN.

  As described above, in the test pattern in which the overlap between the rasters in the overlapping portion of the “raster group” is small and the conveyance correction value AN is relatively close to an appropriate value, the rasters in the “raster group” are almost the same. Since they overlap, there are a relatively large number of gaps between the overlapping rasters. For this reason, the color of the overlapping portion appears light gray near the color of the portion where the “raster group” does not overlap. On the other hand, the test pattern in which the overlap between the rasters in the overlapping portion of the “raster group” is large and the transport correction value AN slightly deviates from the proper transport correction value AN overlaps the gap between the rasters of the “raster group”. All or most of the rasters of the “raster group” are formed, and there are few gaps between the overlapping rasters. For this reason, the ratio of the white (the color of the recording paper P) of the overlapping portion of the “raster group” is reduced, and the color of the overlapping portion appears dark gray. That is, the overlapping portions of the partial nozzle raster groups T1A to T7A and the partial nozzle raster groups T1C to T7C of the test patterns T1 to T7 and the all nozzle raster groups T1B to T7B are lighter as the conveyance correction value AN is closer to the optimum value. The gray color becomes darker as the conveyance correction value AN is farther from the optimum value.

  From the above, the overlapping portion of the “raster group” among the plurality of test patterns T1 to T7 having different conveyance correction values AN recorded on the recording paper P is the recording surface of the recording paper P on which the test patterns T1 to T7 are recorded. By visually selecting a test pattern that appears to be the color closest to the color (white), that is, the gray that is closest to white, it is possible to select the test pattern recorded with the optimum transport correction value AN. Therefore, a test pattern in which the color of the overlapping portion of the test patterns T1 to T7 appears to be the gray closest to white is selected based on the overall color of the two overlapping portions of each test pattern, and the selected test pattern is recorded. By setting the conveyance correction value AN at this time as the optimal conveyance correction value AN, a conveyance error caused by individual differences in the means (conveyance drive roller 53) for conveying the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y is detected by the ink jet recording apparatus. It is possible to easily and accurately set the optimum conveyance correction value AN by specifying every 50.

  Further, by recording the test patterns T1 to T7 obtained by adding (0 to +3) and subtracting (0 to -3) the conveyance correction value AN in a certain step with respect to the predetermined conveyance correction value (AN = 0), The test patterns T1 to T7 can be formed so that the transport error changes step by step in a certain step. As a result, the color of the overlapping portion of the test patterns T1 to T7 changes in a stepwise manner, so that the selection of the test pattern by the optimum conveyance correction value that makes the overlapping portion color the gray closest to white is further performed. Easy and accurate. For example, when the colors of the overlapping portions of the two test patterns are almost the same, an intermediate value can be specified as the optimum conveyance correction value AN.

  Further, the test pattern T8 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is a test pattern for specifying an optimum conveyance correction value when the recording paper P is conveyed only by the rotation of the discharge driving roller 55. In the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to this embodiment, after the trailing edge of the recording paper P is separated from the transport driving roller 53, the recording paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the discharge driving roller 55. The conveyance amount of the recording paper P is controlled by the rotation amount of the discharge drive roller 55. Accordingly, the subsequent conveyance error of the recording paper P is caused by an error in the outer peripheral length of the discharge drive roller 55 and an eccentric error of the rotating shaft.

  Therefore, in order to set an optimum conveyance correction value AN while the recording paper P is conveyed only by the discharge drive roller 55, the test pattern T8 includes all nozzle raster groups T8A as “first raster groups”, In a state in which the recording paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y from the position where all the nozzle raster groups T8A are formed at a specified transport control amount γ set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D, a plurality of adjacent nozzles are used to A total of eight “raster groups” including seven partial nozzle raster groups T8B to T8H as “second raster groups” formed by one main scanning operation.

  The partial nozzle raster group T8B to the partial nozzle raster group T8H are recorded by changing the conveyance correction value in seven steps of +1 to +3 and −1 to −3 in a constant step with 0 as a reference. Since the transport amount by which the recording paper P is transported only by the paper discharge drive roller 55 is often shorter than 1 inch, the specified transport control amount γ is shorter than the above-described specified transport control amount α. . For this reason, the test pattern T8 is a test pattern that is different from the test patterns T1 to T7 as described above. The ejection driving is performed by visually selecting a partial nozzle raster group that looks closest to the color of the recording surface of the recording paper P from the partial nozzle raster group T8B to the partial nozzle raster group T8H having different conveyance correction values AN. It is possible to select an optimum conveyance correction value AN in a state where the recording paper P is conveyed only by the roller 55.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the relationship between the test pattern T1 and the rotation position of the transport drive roller 53. As shown in FIG.
The length of the nozzle row 62K of the recording head 62 (the length from the nozzles N1 to NM) is ¾ inch (the same applies to the other nozzle rows 62C, 62LC, 62M, 62LM, and 62Y). On the other hand, the outer peripheral length of the conveyance drive roller 53 is 1 inch. The prescribed transport control amount α is set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D in the sub-scanning direction Y and 1 / N of the outer peripheral length of the transport drive roller 53. As described above, since the specified transport control amount α is set to ½ inch, N = 2. Each of the test patterns T1 to T7 has N + 1 (2 + 1 = 3) formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles each time the recording paper P is transported by the specified transport control amount α. The “raster group” is formed without overlapping the overlapping parts while forming N (two) overlapping parts formed by the overlapping of the two “raster groups”. From this, the test pattern T1 will be described as an example. The overlapping portion of the partial nozzle raster group T1A and the entire nozzle raster group T1B, and the overlapping portion of the partial nozzle raster group T1C and the total nozzle raster group T1B are transported driving rollers 53. Is formed as an overlapping portion corresponding to each of the 1/2 rotation position range divided by two.

  For example, when the positional relationship between the rotational position of the transport driving roller 53 and the test pattern T1 is the positional relationship shown in the figure, depending on the rotational position of the transport driving roller 53 when starting the recording of the test pattern. If the rotation axis C is eccentric, the conveyance drive roller 53 causes a conveyance error due to the eccentricity as shown in the figure. In a portion where the distance from the rotation axis C to the outer peripheral surface is shortened, a conveyance error in which the actual conveyance amount is smaller than the conveyance control amount occurs. Conversely, in a portion where the distance from the rotation axis C to the outer peripheral surface is increased, the conveyance control is performed. A conveyance error in which the actual conveyance amount is larger than the amount occurs. From this, the test pattern T1 will be described as an example. In an overlapping portion between the partial nozzle raster group T1A and the entire nozzle raster group T1B, a conveyance error in which the actual conveyance amount is smaller than the conveyance control amount occurs, and the partial nozzle raster group T1C. And an overlap between all the nozzle raster groups T1B cause a transport error in which the actual transport amount is larger than the transport control amount.

  Therefore, the test patterns T1 to T7 are compared for each of the two overlapping portions (the overlapping portion between the partial nozzle raster group T1A and all the nozzle raster groups T1B and the overlapping portion between the partial nozzle raster group T1C and all the nozzle raster groups T1B). By specifying the optimum conveyance correction value (= conveyance error), the optimum conveyance correction value (= conveyance error) for each half rotation position range obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of the conveyance driving roller 53 into two is identified. It is also possible to do. Since the optimum conveyance correction value AN for each rotational position range can be comprehensively determined and the optimum conveyance correction value AN can be set for each inkjet recording apparatus 50, the outer peripheral length of the conveyance drive roller 53 can be set. Even when the nozzle length of the recording head 62 is different, the individual difference in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller 53 can be specified, and the optimal transport correction value AN can be set easily and with high accuracy. it can. In addition, since the optimum conveyance correction value AN can be specified for each 1/2 rotation position range obtained by dividing the outer circumferential length of the conveyance driving roller 53 into two, not only the error in the outer circumferential length of the conveyance driving roller 53 but also the conveyance It is also possible to specify the eccentric error (such as the eccentric amount and the eccentric direction) of the drive roller 53.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the relationship between the test pattern T1 and the rotation position of the transport drive roller 53, and shows another embodiment of the test pattern.
The prescribed transport control amount α is set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch D in the sub-scanning direction Y and to 1/4 of the outer peripheral length of the transport drive roller 53, that is, 1/4 inch, so N = 4. . N + 1 test patterns T1 to T7 are formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles each time the recording paper P is transported by a specified transport control amount α (¼ inch). (4 + 1 = 5) raster groups T1A to T1E are formed without overlapping each other while forming N (4) overlapping portions formed by overlapping two “raster groups”. Become. From this, the test pattern T1 will be described as an example. The overlapping portion of the raster group T1A and the raster group T1B corresponds to the rotation position range from 0 to 1/4 rotation obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller 53 into four. As an overlapping portion, the overlapping portion of the raster group T1B and the raster group T1C is an overlapping portion corresponding to a rotation position range from 1/4 to 2/4 rotations obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller 53 into four. An overlapping portion between T1C and raster group T1D is an overlapping portion corresponding to a rotational position range of 2/4 to 3/4 rotations obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of transport driving roller 53 into four, and raster group T1D and raster group T1E Are formed as overlapping portions corresponding to the rotational position range from 3/4 to 4/4 rotations obtained by dividing the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller 53 into four. It made.

  As described above, by increasing the number of divisions (N) of the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53, not only the error in the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller 53 but also the eccentric state (the eccentric amount and the eccentric position, etc.) are specified in more detail. Therefore, it is possible to determine a more optimal conveyance correction value AN by comprehensively judging them. Furthermore, the eccentricity of the conveyance drive roller 53 can be specified in more detail by increasing the number of divisions (N) by dividing into eight or sixteen.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows the relationship between each raster group constituting the test pattern and the rotation position of the transport drive roller 53, and shows still another embodiment of the test pattern. In the figure, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the test pattern is omitted for easy understanding of the positional relationship between the raster groups, but the appearance of the test pattern configured is the test pattern T1 shown in FIG. It is the same. Further, for the sake of convenience, in order to make it easier to understand the positional relationship between the raster groups, the raster groups are not overlapped with each other (actually, an overlapping portion is formed to form a test pattern).

  The test pattern T1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. 10, whereas each raster group (T1A to T1E) forms four overlapping portions with a deviation of 1/4 inch. In the embodiment, each raster group is formed as shown in the figure while the specified transport control amount α = 1/4 inch, and an overlapping portion is formed. Thereby, it is possible to configure a test pattern in which four overlapping portions are formed with a deviation of ½ inch.

  For example, after forming the raster group T1A, the recording paper P is transported by 1/4 inch (specified transport control amount α), and then the raster group T1B is formed, and further, the recording paper P is transported by 1/4 inch, A group T1CL and a raster group T1CR are formed as shown. Among these, the raster group T1CL and the raster group T1A are overlapped to form a first overlapping portion of a test pattern (not shown) having four overlapping portions having a width of 1/4 inch. Further, after the recording paper P is conveyed 1/4 inch, the raster group T1DL and the raster group T1DR are formed as shown in the figure. Among these, the raster group T1DL and the raster group T1B overlap to form a second overlapping portion of the test pattern. Further, after the recording paper P is conveyed 1/4 inch, a raster group T1E is formed, and the raster group T1E and the raster group T1CR are overlapped to form a third overlapping portion of the test pattern. Further, after the recording paper P is conveyed 1/4 inch, a raster group T1F is formed, and the raster group T1F and the raster group T1DR are overlapped to form a fourth overlapping portion of the test pattern.

  Thus, it is possible to form a test pattern by forming four overlapping portions that overlap with a deviation of ½ inch, and the deviation between the raster groups due to the eccentricity of the transport driving roller 53 appears more prominently. Therefore, the eccentric state of the transport driving roller 53 can be specified more clearly.

  Furthermore, as another embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 as the “recording control data sending apparatus” according to the present invention is provided with data generation means for generating the test pattern recording control data described above and stored in advance. Instead of sending the test pattern recording control data, the test pattern recording control data may be generated and sent to the ink jet recording apparatus 50 each time a test pattern is recorded. As a result, the storage medium for storing the test pattern recording control data in advance can be omitted, so that the storage medium capacity of the information processing apparatus 200 can be saved. In addition, parameters such as the conveyance correction value AN when recording the test pattern can be flexibly changed on the information processing apparatus 200 side according to the specifications of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 and the like.

Furthermore, as another embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 as the “recording control data transmission apparatus” according to the present invention is further provided with means for changing the conveyance correction value AN stored in the ink jet recording apparatus 50. Also good. Accordingly, after the test pattern recording control data is transmitted and the ink jet recording apparatus 50 executes the recording of the test pattern, the optimum conveyance correction value AN is determined based on the test pattern recorded on the recording paper P. And the operation of setting the determined optimum conveyance correction value AN in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 can be performed by one information processing apparatus 200.
Furthermore, as another embodiment, a test pattern that looks gray that is closest to white is recognized by using an “image recognition unit” such as a scanner instead of the naked eye, and is recorded with an optimal conveyance correction value AN. It is also possible to select.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and they are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

1 is a plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a side view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a head surface of a recording head. It is the top view which showed typically the recording paper P on which the test pattern was recorded. It is the top view which showed typically the recording paper P on which the test pattern was recorded. It is a schematic diagram of a test pattern schematically showing the configuration of a raster group. It is a schematic diagram of a test pattern schematically showing the configuration of a raster group. The relationship between a test pattern and the rotation position of a conveyance drive roller is shown. The relationship between a test pattern and the rotation position of a conveyance drive roller is shown. The relationship between a test pattern and the rotation position of a conveyance drive roller is shown.

Explanation of symbols

21 ROM, 22 RAM, 23 USB controller, 24 memory card interface, 25 memory card slot, 26 MPU, 27 I / O, 28 head driver, 50 ink jet recording apparatus, 51 carriage guide shaft, 52 platen, 53 transport drive roller , 54 Carriage driven roller, 55 Paper discharge drive roller, 56 Paper discharge driven roller, 57 Paper feed tray, 57b Paper feed roller, 61 Carriage, 62 Recording head, 62K, 62C, 62LC, 62M, 62LM, 62Y Nozzle array, 63 Paper detector, 100 recording controller, 200 information processing device, N1-NM nozzle, P recording paper, SB system bus, T1-T8 test pattern, X main scanning direction, Y sub-scanning direction

Claims (7)

Main scanning driving means for reciprocating in the main scanning direction a recording head having a nozzle array in which nozzles for ejecting ink to the recording material are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub scanning direction; and the recording material in the sub scanning direction. Based on the recording control data, the sub-scanning driving unit that transports the recording head, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit to perform recording on the recording material. And an error of an actual conveyance amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning driving unit with respect to a conveyance control amount of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by the recording control unit. Test for recording a plurality of test patterns with different conveyance correction values for setting an optimum value of the conveyance correction value for correcting the conveyance control amount for a predetermined conveyance amount of the recording material so that the recording medium is minimized A turn recording control data recording control data sending unit for sending to said recording control means,
The sub-scanning driving unit conveys the recording material by a conveyance amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the conveyance driving roller by pressing the recording material against the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance driving roller whose rotation is controlled by the recording control unit. Having a configuration,
The test pattern transports the recording material by a specified transport control amount set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch and 1 / N of the outer peripheral length of the transport driving roller (N is an integer value of 2 or more) in the sub-scanning direction. Each time N + 1 raster groups formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles are formed, N overlapping portions formed by overlapping two raster groups are formed and the overlap is performed. A recording control data transmission device characterized in that the portions are formed without overlapping each other. 2. The test pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the test pattern includes one all-nozzle raster group formed using all the nozzles of the nozzle row and N portions formed using a part of the nozzles of the nozzle row. The recording is characterized in that each partial nozzle raster group is formed with an overlapping portion with respect to all the nozzle raster groups, and the partial nozzle raster groups are formed without overlapping each other. Control data transmission device. 3. The sub-scanning drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein the transport driving roller is disposed upstream of the ink ejection area by the main scanning drive unit in the sub-scanning direction, and the recording material is separated from the transport driving roller. After that, the recording material is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the discharge drive roller that is rotationally controlled by the recording control means disposed downstream of the ink ejection area in the sub-scanning direction, and the rotation amount of the discharge drive roller is reduced. It has a configuration in which the recording material is conveyed by a corresponding conveyance amount,
A first raster group formed by one main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles, and a specified transport set to an integral multiple of the nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction from the position where the first raster group is formed A test pattern for forming a second raster group formed by a single main scanning operation using a plurality of adjacent nozzles with an overlapping portion in a state where a recording material is conveyed only by the discharge driving roller at a controlled amount. A recording control data sending device having recording control data for recording a plurality of patterns with different conveyance correction values. In any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the test pattern recording control data, recording control for recording a plurality of test patterns obtained by adding and subtracting a constant step the conveying correction value for the default transport correction value A recording control data sending device characterized by being data. Characterized in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the test pattern recording control data is recorded control data to be recorded by adding a display to identify each test pattern conveyance correction value for each test pattern, the Recording control data sending device. In any one of claims 1 to 5, and a data generating means for generating the test pattern recording control data, the recording control data transmission apparatus, characterized in that. In any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recording device has means for changing the conveying correction value stored was characterized by recording control data sending unit.

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