JPH0666882B2 - Color recorder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention has a plurality of recording elements arranged in the first direction, respectively, the recording colors are different, and the position of the recording means with respect to the recording medium is the first. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a plurality of recording means different from each other in a second direction different from the above-mentioned direction, and particularly to a color recording apparatus capable of compensating for the deviation of the recording positions of the plurality of recording means.

[Prior Art] Various printers such as an ink jet printer, a wire dot printer, or a thermal head printer are known as printers having a plurality of recording elements of this kind and performing so-called dot matrix recording. An inkjet printer as a static printer is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, in the drawing, for example, first to fourth multi-nozzle heads 2-1 to 2-4 are arranged in order from the left on a carriage 1, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and Ink of each color of black (K) is ejected, and each of the multi-nozzle heads is supplied with the ink of each color from the ink tank 4 via each of the flexible pipes 3, and a large number of conductors are arranged. Drive signals are respectively supplied via the flexible insulating belts 5-1 to 5-4, the relay terminal plate 6 and the integrated power feeding belt 7 which are buried in the above.
The endless belt 9 in which the carriage 1 having such a structure is placed on and connected to two guide rails 8 is driven by a pulse motor 10 to reciprocate the carriage 1 in the X direction in the drawing to perform main scanning and to perform roller pairing. The recording paper 12 expanded via 13 and 14 is fed in the Y direction in the figure by the pulse motor 15 connected to the roller pair 14 to perform sub-scanning, and the multi-nozzle heads 2-1 to 2-1 are formed on the recording paper 12. A color image is recorded with each color ink ejected from -4. In addition, stoppers 11- are provided at both ends of the reciprocating traveling path of the carriage 1.
1, 11-2 are arranged to determine the main scanning range.

FIG. 2 shows a mode of color image recording by the ink jet printer having the above-mentioned configuration. That is, in the drawing, while repeating the paper feed 1 to 2N-1 of the recording paper 12 in the direction of the arrow intermittently, the sequential head scanning 1 to 2N as the main scanning is performed in the left and right directions to obtain a color image.
In the head scan 1 performed in the right direction in the drawing when recording the CP, the multi-nozzle heads 2-1 arranged in order from the left
2-4, the order of overlapping recording of the same dot is black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) on the recording paper 12, and the head is performed in the left direction in the drawing. In the scan 2, the same dot overlap recording performed by the multi-nozzle heads 2-1 to 2-4 similarly arranged in order from the left is cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) on the recording paper 2. , Black (K),
The order of overlapping recording in the forward and backward passes of the main scan is opposite to each other.

For example, when performing color image recording in the above-described manner by an inkjet printer, image data supplied to the multi-nozzle head has conventionally been stored in advance in a memory device with an address configuration as shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, the size of the image for one page is set to 512 pixels vertically and horizontally, each pixel is represented by a 4 × 4 dot matrix, and 16 dots for 4 pixels from the left are sequentially set as one word in the horizontal array direction of dots, and a word address is assigned. I am doing it. Therefore, the number of dots arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is 512 pixels × 4 = 2048 dots, and the number of dots arranged in the horizontal direction is 2048/16 = 128 words in terms of the number of words. If the word address is 16 dots in the horizontal direction from the dot at the top left corner of the screen, the word address at the right end of the first column is 127, the word address at the left end of the second column is 128, and the right end of the second column. Has a word address of 255, the leftmost word address of the 2048th column in the bottom row is 262016, and the rightmost word address is 262143. The print element array length of the print head, that is, in the case of a multi-nozzle inkjet head, the number of nozzles lined up in one head is 128.
Assuming a book, the printhead is 8 words at a time, or 32
It can output 128 dots of pixels.

The image data for one page configured in such a bit matrix is reciprocally scanned from the upper right end in the figure in 128 bit units of 8 words according to the image recording mode shown in FIG. Perform steps 1-16. By the vertical / horizontal conversion that requires head scanning, it is possible to efficiently perform word access while avoiding the complexity of bit access. For example, in the forward path of the head scan 1, as shown in the figure, the word access is started from the image data of the words of the word addresses 120 to 127 to 248 to 255, 376 to 383, ... Then, the paper feed for the recording width of the head is intermittently performed to shift to the head scanning 2, and word access is performed every 8 words. The above process is repeated until the head scanning 16 is performed to perform image recording in the second illustrated mode.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] For example, in order to record a color image in the mode shown in FIG. 2 by the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and Different image data for each of the four colors of black (K) are stored in separate memory devices according to the address configuration shown in FIG. 3, and such a large amount of image data is recorded in four pieces in order in the head scanning direction. Depending on the element, it is necessary to read out at different timings by a time difference corresponding to the mutual interval and supply them to the recording element array for each color. Therefore, in order to record each color ink at the same pixel point in duplicate and to record a pixel of a predetermined color tone by subtractive color mixing, the memory device for each color is accessed by the address counter provided for each memory device, and It is necessary to read the image data for each color at different timings, and when recording the same pixel, set the address counter for each color,
The 128-bit address count for 8 words of image data and the reading of the image data to be accessed by the address are performed at different timings, and it takes a lot of time to read the image data for each pixel. Therefore, conventionally, in order to record a color image with a printer, the circuit configuration required to read the image data from the memory device is complicated and it takes time to read,
There was a serious problem that the recording speed was not improved.

This problem becomes more serious as the number of recording elements increases. Therefore, in some cases, even if the number of recording elements is increased in order to improve the recording speed, there is a problem that the recording speed does not improve as expected because of the time required for the above-mentioned reading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a color recording apparatus having a simple structure, capable of improving recording speed and preventing color deviation of a recorded color image.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under these objects, the color recording apparatus of the present invention is
A plurality of recording elements arranged in the direction, the recording colors are different, and the positions of the recording means with respect to the recording medium are different from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; Image data of a recording color to be recorded by the corresponding recording means for at least one scan in the second direction of the plurality of recording elements. Storage means having a plurality of storage areas capable of recording and having blank addresses corresponding to positions of the recording means; and image data of a plurality of recording colors stored in the storage means, Corresponding to the positional deviation of the recording means in the second direction of the plurality of recording means and the plurality of recording elements,
Image data of a plurality of colors are stored in the plurality of storage areas by providing blank addresses corresponding to the displacement of the positions.

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 4 shows an example of the mode of the memory configuration for the printer according to this embodiment. The memory configuration shown in the figure is that in the conventional memory configuration shown in FIG. 3, 128 bits of 32 pixels corresponding to the recording width of the recording element array, that is, image data of 8 words are sequentially arranged vertically from the upper right end in the figure. The memory address configuration of the head scans 1, 2 ... for accessing and reading is enlarged for four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K). Are shown in parallel. In the conventional memory configuration shown in FIG. 3, however, effective memory addresses are given to the image data to be read in the sequential head scans 1, 2, ... In the memory configuration according to this embodiment, for example, the pixel numbers 480 to 511, 992 to 1023, ... Of the head scan 1 in the memory configuration shown in FIG.
With respect to the storage addresses of the pixel data for 26112 to 262143, blank addresses corresponding to the distances R1 to R4 from the recording start point of each color recording element row shown in FIG. Control the writing as
Reading of image data of each color is started simultaneously with the start of running of each color recording element array arranged at intervals in the running direction of the multi-recording head. For example, when the head scan 1 is running in the right direction, the first pixel rows 480 to 511 are read. When the image data of each color is read out at each timing when the recording element arrays of each color arrive in sequence, the same pixel rows 480-5
Overlapping recording of each color is done in 11. That is, for example, the memory addresses of the image data corresponding to the first pixel rows 480 to 511 are shifted in advance so as to correspond to the displacement of the array position of each color recording element row. Therefore, if the memory access started simultaneously with the simultaneous start of each color recording element array is performed at the same memory address for each color, the required image data can be read at an appropriate timing regardless of the positional deviation of each color recording element array. Can be issued. Note that, for example, even after the image recording of the head scan 1 in such a mode is completed, in preparation for the next head scan 2, a blank portion of the memory address corresponding to the positional deviation of each color recording element row in the backward path is provided, Complete the memory address configuration for scan 1.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of a memory reading circuit for reading each color image data from the memory having the memory address as described above in a timely manner. In the illustrated memory reading circuit applied to the present embodiment, as described above, the memory device for each color image data is conventionally provided with a memory address counter separately, but in the present embodiment, each color image data is provided. A single address counter 16 is commonly provided for the memory devices 18 to 21 respectively storing (C), (M), (Y) and (K). At the start of recording, the content of the address counter 16 is cleared to zero by the clear signal CLR supplied from the timing control unit 17, and then the timing control unit
An address signal ADR formed by counting the address advance pulse INC supplied from 17 is commonly supplied to each of the memory devices 18 to 21 for access, and the timing control section 17 from the timing control unit 17 to each memory device in time to access each memory device. It is possible to directly apply the respective read signals READ to 18 to 20 to read the respective color image data (C), (M), (Y), (K) at appropriate timing.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, in the printer having a plurality of recording element arrays, the position shift of each recording element array is included in the address configuration of the memory device that stores the image data of each color in advance. Since the memory address for the required image data is configured by providing a memory blank portion for compensating for the above, the required memory capacity increases slightly, but a single address counter is shared by multiple memory devices for storing each color image data. Since the image data from each memory device can be timely performed with a single address signal, not only is the memory read circuit configuration much simpler than in the past, but access is also much faster than in the past. Thus, the image data of each color can be easily and accurately read in a timely manner.

In the above description, the present invention has been described mainly with respect to an example of an ink jet printer, but the present invention can be similarly applied to other printers that perform dot matrix recording, that is, wire dot printers, thermal head printers, and the like. Of course.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to store at least one scan of image data for a plurality of recording elements arranged in the first direction of each of a plurality of recording means having different recording colors. With respect to the storage area in which a blank address corresponding to the displacement of the position of the recording unit in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction can be provided, the image corresponding to the displacement and the plurality of recording elements is formed. Since the data is stored by providing a blank address corresponding to the above-mentioned deviation, the data is recorded by the recording means in spite of a simple structure for reading from the storage means or supplying to the recording means. It is possible to reliably prevent the color shift of the formed color image and to record the color image at high speed. Further, according to the present invention, for example, the hardware configuration for reading out each color data from the storage means or supplying the color data to the recording means is simple, so that the color shift is corrected by the complicated hardware. In comparison with the above, since the data reading or supplying operation can be performed easily and at high speed without a time delay, recording by a color recording apparatus capable of high-speed recording, particularly when a plurality of recording elements are arranged in the first direction. You will be able to fully exercise your speed capabilities.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink jet printer, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mode of image recording of the same, and FIG. 3 is a mode of memory structure for storing image data according to the proportional method of the present invention. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the aspect of the memory configuration for storing image data according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the memory reading circuit according to the present invention. is there. 1 ... Carriage, 2-1 to 2-4 ... Multi-nozzle head, 3 ... Flexible pipe, 4 ... Ink tank, 5-1-5-4 ... Flexible insulating belt, 6 ... Relay terminal board, 7 ... Overall power supply belt, 8 ... Guide rail, 9 ... Endless belt, 10,15 ... Pulse motor, 11-1, 11-2 ... Stopper, 12 ... Recording paper, 13, 14 …… Roller pair, 16 …… Address counter, 17 …… Timing controller, 18-21 …… Memory device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction, respectively, different recording colors and different positions of recording means with respect to a recording medium in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A plurality of recording means, and a plurality of storage areas provided corresponding to the plurality of recording means, wherein image data of recording colors to be recorded by the corresponding recording means are recorded in at least the plurality of recording elements. Storage means having a plurality of storage areas capable of storing one scan in the second direction and having a blank address corresponding to the position of the recording means; and a plurality of recording colors stored in the storage means Of image data of the plurality of recording means and supplying the plurality of recording means to the plurality of recording means, the positional deviation of the plurality of recording means in the second direction and the plurality of recording elements. In response to,
A color recording apparatus for storing image data of a plurality of colors in the plurality of storage areas by providing a blank address corresponding to the displacement of the position.