JP5560015B2 - Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to ink ejection control in a scanning ink jet recording apparatus.

  When recording an image on a recording medium, a scanning ink jet recording apparatus is used. Here, the scanning inkjet recording apparatus transports the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction while moving the recording head in the main scanning direction, and records an image on the recording medium. Many techniques (configurations) related to scanning ink jet recording apparatuses have been proposed.

  For example, a head including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a main scanning unit that performs main scanning for reciprocating the head in a predetermined direction with respect to a print medium, and a signal for recording one print pixel A head driving unit that generates an original driving signal in which the head is repeated and drives the head according to the original driving signal according to the print data in at least one of the reciprocating paths, and forms dots on the print medium; And a plurality of nozzles divided into a plurality of nozzle rows extending in the sub-scanning direction intersecting with the main scanning direction, and the plurality of nozzle rows extending along the main scanning direction. Arranged at a predetermined interval, the control unit, image pixel value data representing a dot formation state in an image pixel which is a print pixel constituting an image on a print medium; This represents the amount of delay to compensate for the difference in the arrival time to the print pixel in the main scanning of the nozzle, and is provided as delay data provided in units corresponding to the period of the original drive signal according to the design distance between the nozzle rows When the dot formation is accelerated, the delay data is reduced in this unit.When the dot formation is delayed, the delay data is increased in this unit. There has been proposed a printing apparatus that compensates for a shift in the main scanning direction from an appropriate position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 describes the following contents. That is, in the printer PRT, the input unit receives the print data transferred from the printer driver, temporarily stores it in the reception buffer, and the data for one pass is sequentially sent from the data stored in the reception buffer to the development buffer. Have been described. In addition, this data stores dot formation information for one pass for all nozzles used in one main scan, and the data sent to the development buffer includes dots in one main scan. It is described that pixel value data for a plurality of raster lines in which is recorded is stored. Further, from the dot formation information for one pass of these nozzles, the dot formation information for one pixel of each nozzle is collectively extracted and sent to a register in the order in which each nozzle forms dots, It is described that the dot formation information for pixels arranged in the direction intersecting the raster line is cut out in parallel from the dot formation information for the raster line and sequentially sent to the register. The register converts the cut out data into serial data and sends it to the head drive unit. The head drive unit drives the head according to the serial data and prints an image, and one pass in the development buffer. From this data, data indicating how to send the main scan and data indicating how to send the sub-scan are also taken out and sent to the main-scanning unit and sub-scanning unit. According to the data, the main scanning of the head and the conveyance of the printing paper are described.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, the drive signal generation unit provided in the head drive unit includes a plurality of mask circuits and an original drive signal generation unit, and the mask circuits respectively include the nozzles n1 to n4 of the ink ejection head. The original drive signal generators are provided corresponding to a plurality of piezoelectric elements for driving, and generate original drive signals ODRV1 to ODRV4 to be supplied to the nozzles n1 to n4, respectively. These original drive signals are ODRV1 and ODRV2. , ODRV3, and ODRV4 are described as being out of phase by a quarter period.

  The serial print signal PRT (i) is input to the mask circuit together with the original drive signal ODRV output from the original drive signal generator, and the mask circuit performs the original drive according to the serial print signal PRT (i). This is a gate for masking part or all of the signal ODRV, and the mask circuit selects a corresponding portion (pulses W1 and W2) of the original drive signal ODRV when a certain section of the serial print signal PRT (i) is at one level. Passing it as it is and supplying it as a drive signal DRV to the piezo element. On the other hand, when a certain section of the serial print signal PRT (i) is at 0 level, the corresponding portion (pulses W1 and W2) of the original drive signal ODRV is cut off. Is described.

  Each of the original drive signals ODRV1 to ODRV1-4 is a waveform for recording one pixel in a waveform for one period, but these are generated with a phase shifted every 1/4 period. If dots are continuously formed using the signals ODRV1 to ODRV4, four pixels can be recorded in one cycle of the original drive signal. It is described that if dots are formed by allocating to ODRV1 to ODRV4, dots can be recorded at a density four times higher than when only one original drive signal ODRV is used. The head is provided with a large number of nozzles, and the original driving waveforms ODRV1 to ODRV1 are also described as being supplied to the piezoelectric elements of a plurality of nozzles, respectively.

Japanese Patent No. 3528744

  By the way, regarding the image recorded on the recording medium by the ink jet recording apparatus, if the landing positions of the dots formed on the recording medium are shifted in the main scanning direction, the quality of the recorded image is deteriorated. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust such a dot landing position deviation in the main scanning direction by a technique such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new ink jet recording apparatus and ink jet recording method capable of suitably adjusting the dot landing position deviation in the main scanning direction.

The first problem solving means of the present invention made in view of the above problems is to move the recording head on which the nozzles are formed in the main scanning direction in accordance with a command from an external device, and to move a plurality of recording heads at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. An ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink from the nozzles forming each of the arranged nozzle rows in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and records an image on a recording medium conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, A recording head driving unit that outputs a pulse signal including a pulse set corresponding to a predetermined cycle of a driving signal to the recording head, drives the recording head, and discharges the ink from the nozzle; and the inkjet A control unit that controls processing executed when the image is recorded in the recording apparatus, and the control unit is configured to form dots corresponding to the pixels of the image. The pattern data shown, wherein ink from the nozzles forming each nozzle row is ejected, the for the dots to be formed by lands on the recording medium, the main scanning direction of said generated according to said constant spacing Data for primary adjustment of dot landing position deviation, the adjustment data corresponding to the predetermined interval and corresponding to the predetermined period, and further generated in the state of the primary adjustment by the adjustment data Data for secondary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dots in the main scanning direction, corresponding to the predetermined cycle, and adding correction data of an amount designated by the external device, and recording data generates, in accordance with the generated said recording data, and controls the ejection of the ink through the recording head drive unit, when the generation of the recording data , Accessing the adjustment data stored in the storage area in the device itself, adding the adjustment data to the pattern data, obtaining a designation of the amount of the correction data from the external device, An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the correction data is added to the pattern data .

According to this, it is possible to adjust (secondary adjustment) the dot landing position deviation in units corresponding to the predetermined cycle of the drive signal by the correction data of the amount designated by the external device. Here, the adjustment data for the primary adjustment is a fixed value for each of the ink jet recording apparatuses and does not change as long as the ink jet recording apparatus is of the same model. Originally, if the control unit acquires (receives) the pattern data and the adjustment data, it is possible to generate print data based on the interval between the nozzle rows. However, in an actual ink jet recording apparatus, the position assumed by the accuracy of ink ejection direction (landing accuracy) and the like (as another example, in an ink jet recording apparatus having a plurality of recording heads, the mounting accuracy of each recording head) May form dots at different positions. In such a case, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first problem solving means, when the landing accuracy cannot be ensured only by the primary adjustment, it is possible to generate the recording data that is secondarily adjusted by the correction data. Flexible adjustment according to the individuality of the ink jet recording apparatus is possible. If landing accuracy can be ensured by the primary adjustment, the secondary adjustment based on the correction data may be omitted (the correction data amount is designated as “0” in the external device). In the ink jet recording apparatus, it is not necessary to store the amount of correction data. For example, although it is assumed that the control board of the ink jet recording apparatus is broken, in such a case, if the control board is replaced, an image can be recorded in the same state (quality) as before the failure. .

  In addition, when the pattern data is input to the ink jet recording apparatus without undergoing a predetermined process and an abnormal image is recorded by the ink jet recording apparatus, the pattern data itself is defective in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first problem solving means. It is possible to easily identify the cause of whether or not the recording data generation process has been performed properly. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first problem solving means, it is not necessary to generate recording data using the pattern data, the adjustment data, and the correction data in an external device that instructs the ink jet recording apparatus to record an image. The data size input to the ink jet recording apparatus can be reduced. When the data size is reduced, the data transmission time can be shortened.

  The second problem solving means is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first problem solving means, wherein the recording head drive unit can change the set position of the pulse width of the pulse signal within one cycle of the drive signal. The timing of the ejection of the ink from the nozzles forming each of the nozzle rows can be finely adjusted by outputting the pulse signal in which the setting position of the pulse width is changed. According to this, it is possible to finely adjust the landing position deviation of dots less than a unit corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal (within one cycle of the drive signal).

According to a third problem solving means, in accordance with an image recording command input from an external device to the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink jet recording apparatus moves the recording head in which the nozzles are formed in the main scanning direction, and performs the main scanning. Ink is ejected from the nozzles that form a plurality of nozzle rows in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged at regular intervals in the direction, and the image is recorded on a recording medium conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. an inkjet recording method, the pattern data showing the state of formation of dots corresponding to the pixels of the image, the ink from the nozzles that form each of the nozzle rows is ejected and landed on the recording medium formed of Data for the primary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dots in the main scanning direction that occurs according to the fixed interval. The adjustment data corresponding to the predetermined interval and corresponding to a predetermined period of the drive signal, and the landing of the dots in the main scanning direction further generated in the primary adjustment state by the adjustment data Data for secondary adjustment of positional deviation, a recording data generation step for generating recording data by adding correction data of an amount specified by the external device corresponding to the predetermined period; A pulse is generated according to the recording data generated by the recording data generation step, and a pulse signal in which the generated pulse is set corresponding to the predetermined period is output to the recording head, and the recording head drives, see contains an ink ejection step of ejecting the ink from the nozzle, the recording data generation step, said timing stored in the storage area in the own device Accessing data, a step of adding the adjustment data to said handle data, the acquired designation of an amount of the correction data from the external device, the acquired adds the correction data amounts by specifying step and the including This is an ink jet recording method. According to this, the dot landing position deviation can be adjusted (secondary adjustment) in units corresponding to the predetermined cycle of the drive signal by the correction data designated by the external device. In the ink jet recording apparatus, it is not necessary to store the amount of correction data. For example, although it is assumed that the control board of the ink jet recording apparatus is broken, in such a case, if the control board is replaced, an image can be recorded in the same state (quality) as before the failure. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the new inkjet recording device and inkjet recording method which can adjust suitably the landing position shift of the dot to a main scanning direction can be obtained.

It is a front view of an inkjet recording device. It is a figure which shows the surface in which the nozzle of the recording head was formed. It is a figure explaining the formation state of a dot. It is a figure explaining the formation state of a dot. It is a figure which shows the landing position shift of a dot. It is a figure which shows the landing position shift | offset | difference of the dot of the outward path | route at the time of reciprocating in the main scanning direction. It is a figure explaining adjustment of dot landing position shift. It is a figure explaining the change of the setting position of the pulse width of a pulse signal.

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea.

(Outline of inkjet recording apparatus)
The ink jet recording apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The ink jet recording apparatus 100 is a scanning ink jet recording apparatus, and includes a carriage 200, a recording head moving unit 300, an ink supply unit 400, and a transport unit 500.

  A plurality of recording heads 220 (see FIG. 2) are mounted on the carriage 200. Specifically, a black recording head 220K, a cyan recording head 220C, a magenta recording head 220M, and a yellow recording head 220Y are mounted. A plurality of, for example, two recording heads 220 can be provided for each color. When two are used for each color, a total of eight (four colors) recording heads 220 are mounted. In the following description, when the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as “recording head 220” (the same applies to a nozzle row 224 and a dot 226 described later).

  In the recording head 220, a plurality of nozzles 222 are formed on a surface (a surface viewed from the Z direction in FIG. 1) facing the installation surface on which the recording medium 600 is set in the transport unit 500. The plurality of nozzles 222 are arranged so as to form nozzle rows 224 in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, with an interval (X) in the main scanning direction. Specifically, the recording head 220K has two nozzle arrays 224K-1 and 224K-2, the recording head 220C has nozzle arrays 224C-1 and 224C-2, and the recording head 220M has nozzle arrays 224M-1, In the recording head 220Y, 224M-2 and nozzle rows 224Y-1 and 224Y-2 are formed, respectively. Here, the interval between adjacent nozzle rows 224 formed in each adjacent recording head 220 is also set to be the interval (X). For example, the interval between the nozzle row 224K-1 of the recording head 220K and the nozzle row 224C-2 of the recording head 220C is also the interval (X).

  Therefore, for example, when the nozzle row 224Y-1 of the recording head 220Y is used as a reference, the interval between the nozzle row 224Y-1 and each of the nozzle rows 224Y-2 to 224K-2 is an interval corresponding to the interval (X). Become. That is, the interval between the nozzle row 224Y-1 is the interval (X) for the nozzle row 224Y-2, the interval (2X) for the nozzle row 224M-1, and the interval (3X) for the nozzle row 224M-2. 224C-1 is the interval (4X), nozzle row 224C-2 is the interval (5X), nozzle row 224K-1 is the interval (6X), and nozzle row 224K-2 is the interval (7X).

  In each nozzle row 224, the nozzles 222 forming the nozzle row 224 are arranged at an equal pitch. Further, each adjacent nozzle row 224 is arranged such that the nozzles 222 forming each nozzle row 224 are staggered. The nozzle 222 is provided with a piezo element (not shown) that realizes ink ejection. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezo element, ink is ejected from the nozzle 222.

  The recording head moving unit 300 reciprocates (scans) the carriage 200 on which a plurality of recording heads 220 are mounted in the main scanning direction (see “main scanning direction” in FIG. 1). Thereby, the movement of the recording head 220 in the main scanning direction is realized. The ink supply unit 400 includes a main tank that stores ink of each color. The main tank is connected to the recording head 220 by an ink supply line 120, and ink stored in the main tank is supplied from the main tank to the recording head 220 by a liquid feeding mechanism (not shown) provided in the ink supply unit 400. Is done. For example, black ink is supplied from the main tank storing black ink to the recording head 220K via the black ink supply line.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the self apparatus. The control unit is input to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 from the external device in accordance with various processes executed by the ink jet recording apparatus 100, for example, an image recording command from an external apparatus connected to be communicable with the ink jet recording apparatus 100. Data including the pattern data is rasterized to generate print data, and in accordance with the print data, ink ejection through the print head drive unit described below is controlled. When generating the recording data, the control unit accesses the adjustment data stored in the storage area (not shown) in the own apparatus. Further, the control unit acquires the number of correction data (amount of correction data) input (designated) from the external device to the inkjet recording apparatus 100, and the pattern data, the adjustment data, and the correction data of the acquired correction data number Is used to generate recording data.

  Here, the pattern data is data indicating the formation state of the dots 226 corresponding to the pixels of the image recorded by the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The adjustment data includes main scanning that occurs according to the interval (X) for dots 226 (see FIG. 3 and the like) that are formed by ejecting ink from the nozzles 222 that form the nozzle rows 224 and landing on the recording medium 600. This is data for adjusting (primary adjustment) the landing position deviation of the direction dot 226 and corresponding to the interval (X) and corresponding to a predetermined cycle of a drive signal described later. The correction data is a state in which the landing position deviation of the dots 226 in the main scanning direction generated according to the interval (X) is adjusted (primary adjustment) according to the adjustment data, and the landing position deviation of the dots 226 in the main scanning direction is further generated. It is data for adjustment (secondary adjustment), and is an amount of data corresponding to a predetermined cycle of a drive signal to be described later. In the external apparatus, the number of correction data to be specified for the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is stored corresponding to each nozzle row 224 based on the landing position deviation set by confirming (analyzing) the image of the test pattern recorded in advance. (Registered). The external device includes the number of correction data stored in the image recording command, or outputs the correction data number together with the image recording command to the inkjet recording device 100, and sets the number of correction data to the inkjet recording device 100. specify. Note that the dots 226 are not formed in the adjustment data and the correction data. In other words, the adjustment data and the correction data are data that function as todd unformed data that does not form the dots 226.

  In the present embodiment, the number of correction data is stored in the external device. Such a configuration is advantageous in the following points. That is, it is not necessary to provide a storage area such as a non-volatile memory in order to store this in the inkjet recording apparatus 100, and the inkjet recording apparatus 100 can have a simple configuration and can be manufactured at low cost. If the external device is connected to a device that enables data backup or has a backup function, the correction data can be easily backed up, avoiding the risk of the correction data being erased. be able to. Although it is assumed that the control board of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 will fail, in such a case, if the control board is replaced, an image can be recorded in the same state (quality) as before the failure.

The ink jet recording apparatus 100 includes a recording head driving unit, and the recording head driving unit includes a pulse generation circuit (both are not shown in FIG. 1). The recording head drive unit outputs a drive signal having a predetermined cycle to the pulse generation circuit. Here, the drive signal is a signal for setting the timing at which ink is ejected once from a single nozzle 222, in other words, one dot 226 (see FIG. 3 and the like) is formed. In one cycle, ink is ejected once (one dot 226 is formed).

  The drive signal output from the recording head drive unit is input to a pulse generation circuit (not shown in FIG. 1) together with the recording signal based on the recording data generated by the control unit. The pulse generation circuit executes control to generate or not generate a pulse in accordance with the input recording signal. For example, when the level of the recording signal is “1”, the pulse generation circuit generates a pulse. When the level of the recording signal is “0”, for example, no pulse is generated. When a pulse is generated by the pulse generation circuit, a pulse signal in which the generated pulse is set corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal is output. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle 222, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 222. Therefore, the ink is ejected in accordance with the timing corresponding to the predetermined cycle of the drive signal in accordance with the presence or absence of the pulse.

(Dot formation)
The formation of the dots 226 accompanying the movement of the recording head 220 in the main scanning direction will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, movement in one direction (outward path) will be described as an example. Further, in each of the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y, ink ejected from one nozzle 222 (see, for example, the nozzle denoted by reference numeral 222 in FIG. 2) arranged at the same position has landed. A description will be given of the dots 226 to be formed. Note that the dots 226K, 226C, 226M, and 226Y illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are greatly drawn on the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y.

  When ink ejection (image recording) is started, the recording head 220 is disposed at a predetermined standby position (see FIG. 3A). In this state, when the control unit controls the recording head moving unit 300 to start moving the recording head 220 in the main scanning direction, first, the recording head 220Y reaches the recording start position (see FIG. 3B). ). In synchronization with the start of movement of the recording head 220 by the recording head moving unit 300, the control unit starts outputting a recording signal to each of the pulse generation circuits connected to each piezo element of the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220, and The recording head drive unit starts outputting a drive signal having a predetermined period to each of the pulse generation circuits. The pulse generation circuit does not generate the ejection pulse at the timing when the level of the recording signal output from the control unit is “0”. In this case, no voltage is applied to the piezo element, and no ink is ejected from the nozzle 222. In FIG. 3B, ink is not ejected from the nozzle 222.

  When the recording head 220 further moves in the main scanning direction from the state of FIG. 3B, the recording head 220Y reaches the position of FIG. The pulse generation circuit connected to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y generates a pulse at the timing when the level of the recording signal output from the control unit is “1”, and the generated pulse is the recording head driving unit. A pulse signal set at a timing corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal output from is output to the connected piezo element. Accordingly, a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezo element, and yellow ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y. The discharged yellow ink is landed on the recording medium 600 to form yellow dots 226Y (see FIG. 3C).

  When the recording head 220 further moves in the main scanning direction from the state of FIG. 3C, the recording head 220M reaches the position of the recording head 220Y in FIG. 3C (see FIG. 3D). ). The pulse generation circuit connected to the piezo element of the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y and the pulse generation circuit connected to the piezo element of the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220M each have a recording signal output from the control unit. A pulse is generated at a timing of level “1”, and the generated pulse is set to a pulse signal set at a timing corresponding to a predetermined cycle of a drive signal output from the recording head drive unit. Output to the element. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to each piezo element of each color nozzle 222, yellow ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y, and magenta ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220M. The ejected ink lands on the recording medium 600 to form dots 226Y and magenta dots 226M (see FIG. 3D). The dot 226M is formed so as to overlap the dot 226Y formed in FIG. In other words, the magenta ink lands on the dot 226Y.

  When the recording head 220 further moves in the main scanning direction from the state of FIG. 3D, the recording head 220M reaches the position of the recording head 220Y in FIG. 3D, and the recording head 220C reaches the position of the recording head 220M. Is reached (see FIG. 3E). The pulse generation circuits connected to the piezo elements of the respective color nozzles 222 perform the same operation as described above. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to each piezo element of each color nozzle 222, yellow ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y, and magenta ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220M. Cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle 222. The ejected ink is landed on the recording medium 600 to form dots 226Y, dots 226M, and cyan dots 226C (see FIG. 3E). The dot 226M is formed on the dot 226Y formed in FIG. 3D, and the dot 226C is formed on the dot 226M formed in FIG. In other words, magenta ink lands on the dot 226Y and cyan ink lands on the dot M.

  When the recording head 220 further moves in the main scanning direction from the state of FIG. 3E, the recording head 220M reaches the position of the recording head 220Y in FIG. 3E, and the recording head 220C reaches the position of the recording head 220M. And the recording head 220K reaches the position of the recording head 220C (see FIG. 3F). The pulse generation circuits connected to the piezo elements of the respective color nozzles 222 perform the same operation as described above. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to each piezo element of each color nozzle 222, yellow ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220Y, and magenta ink is ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220M. The cyan ink is ejected from the nozzles 222, and the black ink is ejected from the nozzles 222 of the recording head 220K. The ejected ink lands on the recording medium 600 to form dots 226Y, dots 226M, dots 226C, and black dots 226K (see FIG. 3F). Note that the dot 226M is on the dot 226Y formed in FIG. 3E, the dot 226C is on the dot 226M formed in FIG. 3E, and the dot 226K is the dot 226C formed in FIG. 3E. Overlaid on top of each other. In other words, the magenta ink lands on the dot 226Y, the cyan ink lands on the dot 226M, and the black ink lands on the dot 226C.

  Further, when the recording head 220 further moves in the main scanning direction from the state of FIG. 3F, the same operation as described above is repeatedly performed, and the dots 226 are sequentially formed as shown in FIGS. It is formed. Therefore, in the state where the recording head 220 has passed the recording end position (see FIG. 4J), the black ink ejected from the nozzle 222 of the recording head 220K disposed at the rearmost end in the movement in the main scanning direction. Thus, the dots 226K are formed in a line. Since the formation of the dots 226 in each state of FIGS. 4G to 4J is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 3, detailed description thereof is omitted. 3 and 4, the position of the recording head 220 is changed to the next step, for example, from the position of FIG. 3C to the position of FIG. 3D, or from the position of FIG. The time required to move to the position 4 (h) corresponds to the time corresponding to the period (X) (see “predetermined period” in FIG. 7).

  3 and FIG. 4, for example, in the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y, the nozzles 222 are accurately formed, and the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y are relatively This is based on the assumption that each is mounted on the carriage 200 in a state of being accurately arranged at an appropriate position. However, actually, for example, one of the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y may be mounted at a position shifted from the other recording heads 220.

  In such a case, the ink ejected from the nozzles 222 of the recording head 220 whose position relative to the other recording heads 220 has shifted is landed on the dots 226 formed by landing the previously ejected ink. do not do. Accordingly, the dots 226 are not formed in the state as shown in FIG. 4 (j), and for example, the dots 226 are formed in the states as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). Here, FIG. 5A is formed when, for example, the arrangement of the recording head 220Y is deviated from the recording heads 220K, 220C, and 220M (which are arranged at relatively appropriate positions). A dot row is shown. In the case of FIG. 5A, the recording head 220Y is arranged so as to be shifted to the side corresponding to the moving direction of the recording head 220 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  FIG. 5B shows dot rows formed when the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y are arranged with their relative positions shifted. FIG. 5C shows a normal dot row (see FIG. 4J) for clarifying the difference from FIGS. 5A and 5B.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the main scanning of the recording head 220 is performed in a reciprocating manner, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 222 in both the forward path and the return path (see FIG. 6A). Therefore, the landing position deviation of the dot 226 may also occur between the dot 226 formed in the forward path and the dot 226 formed in the backward path (see FIG. 6B). In the return path shown in FIG. 6A, the dots 226 are formed in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described above. However, the dots 226 to be formed are the dots 226Y landed with the yellow ink ejected from the nozzles 222 of the recording head 220Y arranged on the reverse side in the traveling direction of the recording head 220 (return path pattern in FIG. 6B). reference).

(Adjustment of dot landing position deviation)
Adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dots 226 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording head drive unit outputs a drive signal (see FIG. 7A). The output drive signal is input to a pulse generation circuit connected to the nozzle 222. The control unit uses the head of each pattern data divided for each nozzle row 224 to be used for one scan of the recording head 220 (see the forward path or the backward path in FIG. 6A) of the pattern data output from the external device. The amount of adjustment data stored in a predetermined storage area is added to the (advancing direction side of the recording head 220) portion (primary adjustment). Specifically, if the nozzle row is 224Y-2, the control unit adds adjustment data of an amount corresponding to the interval (X) (see the lower stage of FIGS. 7B to 7E), and the nozzle row 224K−. If 2, the amount of adjustment data corresponding to the interval (7X) is added.

  Further, the control unit adds correction data corresponding to the number of correction data specified and acquired from the external device to the head (the traveling direction side of the recording head 220) of each of the pattern data divided for each nozzle row 224. (Secondary adjustment). The control unit adds correction data of the number of correction data designated for each nozzle row 224 to each of the pattern data divided for each nozzle row 224 (see, for example, the lower part of FIG. 7B).

  The control unit rasterizes the pattern data to which the adjustment data and the correction data are added, and a recording signal based on the rasterized recording data is connected to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle 222 of the corresponding nozzle row 224. Output to the pulse generation circuit. As described above, when the level of the recording signal is “1”, the pulse generation circuit generates a pulse, and the generated pulse has a timing corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the driving signal output from the recording head driving unit. The set pulse signal is output to the piezo element to which the pulse generation circuit itself is connected (see, for example, the upper stage of FIG. 7B).

  As described above, both the adjustment data and the correction data are not data indicating the formation of the dots 226. Therefore, the level of the recording signal relating to these is “0”, and no pulse is generated in the pulse generation circuit (see, for example, the “pulse not generated” range shown in the upper part of FIG. 7B). Therefore, ink is not ejected from the nozzles 222 and the dots 226 are not formed. On the other hand, for the portion indicating the formation of the dots 226 in the pattern data, the level of the recording signal is “1”, the pulse generation circuit generates a pulse, and the generated pulse is output from the recording head driving unit. A pulse signal set at a timing corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal is output to the piezo element to which the pulse generation circuit itself is connected, and accordingly, voltage is applied to the piezo element and ink is ejected from the nozzle 222. Thus, dots 226 are formed (see, for example, the lower part of FIG. 7B).

  Here, when the landing position deviation of the dot 226 occurs, the control unit corrects the correction data related to the ejection of the ink that forms the dot 226 causing the landing position deviation, specifically, the landing position deviation of the dot 226. The correction data for the nozzles 222 forming the generated nozzle row 224 is increased or decreased according to the number of correction data specified from the external device. For example, when the correction data is decreased by one cycle corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal (see the arrow indicating “decrease” described in the lower part of FIG. 7C), the external device has one cycle. The number of correction data decreased by a corresponding amount is stored, and this correction data number is designated to the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The control unit acquires the specified number of correction data, and adds the correction data of the acquired correction data number to the head portion of the pattern data. As a result, the correction data added is reduced by one cycle. Therefore, the input of the recording signal of level “1” to the pulse generation circuit is accelerated by one cycle of the drive signal (pulse signal). Since the pulse generation circuit generates a pulse at this earlier timing and outputs a pulse signal in which the pulse is set (see the upper stage of FIG. 7C), the landing position of the dot 226 is an amount corresponding to this one cycle ( The recording head 220 moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction (for example, see FIG. 6A). (See the lower part of FIG. 7C).

  On the other hand, for example, when the number of correction data is increased by one period corresponding to a predetermined period of the drive signal (see the arrow indicating “increase” described in the lower part of FIG. 7D), the external device The number of correction data increased by an amount corresponding to one cycle is stored, and this correction data number is designated to the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The control unit acquires the specified number of correction data, and adds the correction data of the acquired correction data number to the head portion of the pattern data. As a result, the correction data added increases by one cycle. Therefore, the input of the recording signal of level “1” to the pulse generation circuit is delayed by one cycle of the drive signal (pulse signal). Since the pulse generation circuit generates a pulse at this delayed timing and outputs a pulse signal in which the pulse is set (see the upper part of FIG. 7D), the landing position of the dot 226 is an amount corresponding to this one cycle. The recording head 220 moves in the moving direction (for example, see FIG. 6A) by (distance). (See the lower part of FIG. 7 (d)).

  That is, according to such a method, by increasing / decreasing a fixed amount of correction data added corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal without increasing / decreasing the adjustment data, an amount corresponding to the predetermined cycle ( The formation position of the dot 226 can be moved by the distance), and the landing position deviation of the dot 226 can be adjusted. When the correction data is increased or decreased by a plurality of cycles, the correction data can be moved by an amount (distance) corresponding to the increased or decreased cycles.

  Incidentally, the displacement of the landing position of the dots 226 is not necessarily an amount (distance) corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal. Such landing position deviation of less than one cycle is adjusted using fine adjustment data (see FIG. 7E). Specifically, the phase of the pulse of the pulse signal is shifted, in other words, the pulse width set position is changed and adjusted.

  The change of the pulse width set position using the fine adjustment data will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, since ink is ejected in a cycle corresponding to the cycle of the pulse signal, the phase of the pulse signal is shifted, in other words, the set position of the pulse width of the pulse signal is changed within one cycle of the drive signal. Then, the timing of applying the voltage to the piezo element is shifted, and as a result, the ink ejection timing can be finely adjusted within one cycle of the drive signal. That is, when the pulse width set position of the pulse signal (see FIG. 8B) generated corresponding to the predetermined cycle of the drive signal shown in FIG. The pulse signal is shifted to the right when the pulse width setting position (the phase of the pulse signal) is viewed from the front in FIG. 8, whereby the formation position of the dot 226 is also shifted to the right. For changing the pulse width set position, fine adjustment data indicating the delay of the pulse signal cycle is used within a range shorter than one cycle of the drive signal. According to such a method, the landing position of the dot 226 can be finely adjusted within a range smaller than one cycle of the drive signal. Further, according to such a method, the landing position of the dot 226 can be finely adjusted without changing the recording data itself.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when ink is ejected and an image is recorded in both directions in the main scanning direction (forward path and backward path), the adjustment data and correction data added to the head portion of the pattern data are bidirectional. Is added symmetrically. Further, the pulse width setting position is changed by the same amount (time). Further, based on the configuration of the plurality of recording heads 220 and the present embodiment, in the inkjet recording apparatus 100 including the recording heads 220K, 220C, 220M, and 220Y, a pulse signal adjusted by fine adjustment data, specifically, a pulse The pulse signal adjusted by changing the width setting position may be generated corresponding to each of the plurality of recording heads.

  In addition, regarding the secondary adjustment based on the correction data corresponding to the number of correction data, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 needs to input pattern data from an external device every time the landing position deviation is adjusted (every time adjustment is set). Absent. That is, the external apparatus inputs pattern data for one scan (data for all the nozzles 222) for each scan (for example, one forward path) to the inkjet recording apparatus 100. In the ink jet recording apparatus 100, a storage area is secured in which new pattern data for one scan that is sequentially input can be stored. Here, when the recording operation is performed, interrupted, and terminated, the storage area of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is maintained in a state where the previous pattern data is retained (stored). When the landing position deviation is confirmed at this timing and the setting of the number of correction data is changed, the external apparatus only needs to input a new number of correction data to the inkjet recording apparatus 100. In the ink jet recording apparatus 100, when a new number of correction data is input, new recording data is generated using the correction data of the newly acquired correction data number and the pattern data held in the storage area. . According to such a configuration, the time required for data communication performed between the external apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus 100 can be shortened.

(Modification)
The configuration of the present embodiment can be configured as follows in consideration of various points. That is, in the above description, the configuration in which the landing position deviation of the dot 226 is adjusted based on the adjustment based on the correction data and the change of the pulse width set position of the pulse signal has been described. However, it is also possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that employs only these single components. For example, an inkjet recording apparatus having a configuration based only on the change of the pulse width set position of the pulse signal may be used.

  Specifically, according to a command from an external device, the recording head on which the nozzles are formed is moved in the main scanning direction, and a plurality of sub-scans perpendicular to the main scanning direction are arranged at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. An ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink from the nozzles that form each nozzle array in a direction and records an image on a recording medium that is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and is generated from a drive signal of a predetermined period in the recording head A recording head driving unit that outputs the pulse signal, drives the recording head, and discharges the ink from the nozzles, and a control unit that controls processing executed in recording the image in the inkjet recording apparatus The control unit includes pattern data indicating a dot formation state corresponding to a pixel of the image, and the nozzle that forms each of the nozzle rows. For the dots formed by ejecting the ink and landing on the recording medium, the landing position deviation of the dots in the main scanning direction that occurs according to the certain interval is adjusted (corresponding to the “primary adjustment” above). ) To generate recording data with the adjustment data corresponding to the predetermined interval and corresponding to the predetermined period, and according to the generated recording data, via the recording head driving unit The ink ejection is controlled, and the recording head drive unit can change the set position of the pulse width of the pulse signal within one cycle of the drive signal, and the pulse signal with the set position of the pulse width changed. And the timing of discharging the ink from the nozzles forming each of the nozzle rows can be finely adjusted.

  In the above description, the adjustment data is not adopted, and an ink jet recording apparatus that adjusts the setting corresponding to the adjustment data by changing the setting position of the pulse width can be used. In addition, in the case of an inkjet recording apparatus having a plurality of recording heads, the pulse signal adjusted by changing the pulse width setting position corresponds to each of the plurality of recording heads. It is good also as a structure which produces | generates.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Inkjet recording apparatus 220 Recording head 222 Nozzle 224 Nozzle row 226 Dot 300 Recording head moving part 500 Conveying part

Claims (3)

In accordance with a command from an external device, the recording head in which the nozzles are formed is moved in the main scanning direction, and a plurality of nozzle rows in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction are arranged at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. An ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium that is ejected from the nozzles that form the ink and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction,
A recording head driving unit that outputs a pulse signal including a pulse set corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the driving signal to the recording head, drives the recording head, and discharges the ink from the nozzle;
A control unit that controls processing executed in recording the image in the inkjet recording apparatus,
The controller is
The pattern data representing the state of formation of dots corresponding to the pixels of the image, the ink from the nozzles that form each of the nozzle rows is ejected for the dots to be formed by lands on the recording medium, the certain Data for primary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dot in the main scanning direction that occurs according to the interval of the adjustment data, the adjustment data corresponding to the predetermined interval and the predetermined period, and the adjustment data Is data for secondary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dot in the main scanning direction that is further generated in the primary adjustment state according to the predetermined period, and is specified by the external device corresponding to the predetermined period. by adding the amount of correction data to generate recording data in accordance with the generated said recording data, control the discharge of the ink through the recording head drive unit As well as,
Upon generation of the recording data, the adjustment data stored in the storage area in the device itself is accessed, the adjustment data is added to the pattern data, and the designation of the amount of the correction data is acquired from the external device, An inkjet recording apparatus , wherein the correction data is added to the pattern data in an amount according to the acquired designation .   The recording head drive unit can change the set position of the pulse width of the pulse signal within one cycle of the drive signal, and outputs the pulse signal in which the set position of the pulse width is changed. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing of discharging the ink from the nozzles forming each of the nozzles can be finely adjusted. In accordance with an image recording command input from an external device to the inkjet recording apparatus, the inkjet recording apparatus moves a recording head on which nozzles are formed in the main scanning direction, and a plurality of the recording heads are arranged at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. An ink jet recording method for ejecting ink from the nozzles forming each nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and recording the image on a recording medium conveyed in the sub-scanning direction,
The pattern data representing the state of formation of dots corresponding to the pixels of the image, the ink from the nozzles that form each of the nozzle rows is ejected for the dots to be formed by lands on the recording medium, the certain Data for primary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dots in the main scanning direction that occurs in accordance with the interval, and adjustment data corresponding to the predetermined interval and corresponding to a predetermined cycle of the drive signal; Data for secondary adjustment of the landing position deviation of the dots in the main scanning direction, which is further generated in the state of the primary adjustment by the adjustment data, corresponding to the predetermined period, from the external device Adding a specified amount of correction data, and a recording data generation step for generating recording data;
A pulse is generated according to the recording data generated by the recording data generation step, and a pulse signal in which the generated pulse is set corresponding to the predetermined period is output to the recording head, and the recording head drives, see contains an ink ejection step of ejecting the ink from the nozzle,
The recording data generation step includes
Accessing the adjustment data stored in a storage area within the device, and adding the adjustment data to the pattern data;
An ink jet recording method comprising the acquired designation of an amount of the correction data from the external device, the obtained containing Mukoto the step of adding the correction data amounts by specified.

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