JPH10100413A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform desired print in a direction roughly perpendicular to a scanning direction without changing an inclination of a recording head in an image processing device wherein an ink ejection section comprising a plurality of ink ejection nozzles is bi-directionally scanned. SOLUTION: There is disclosed an image processing device that ejects ink drops at different driving timings from a plurality of ink ejection nozzles by driving a recording head having an ink ejection section consisting of the plurality of ejection nozzles in accordance with image information while the recording head is scanned in bi-directional directions by a scanning means. First and second ink ejection sections 130a, 130b wherein ink ejection nozzles are arranged at different predetermined angles by each ejection sections are provided to the recording head 130. In the scanning of the outward direction, the ink drops are ejected from the first ink ejection section 130a and in the scanning of the inward direction, the ink drops are ejected from the second ink ejection section 130b. This device is so constituted that desired printing is performed in a direction roughly perpendicular to the scanning direction in accordance with a driving timing of a driving means and a scanning speed of the scanning direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus having an ink discharge section including a plurality of ink discharge ports.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus for processing image information obtained by reading a document and forming (recording) a printed image on a sheet. In an image forming apparatus that forms a black-and-white image using black (K) ink or forms a color image using cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, For example, four independent recording heads for ejecting ink of each of the four colors are arranged in parallel and mounted on one carriage, and the carriage is moved a plurality of times to eject ink on paper from a predetermined direction of movement of the carriage. As a result, an image was formed.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, ink can be ejected only when scanning in one direction of the carriage, and it is not easy to increase the printing speed.

Further, in order to enable reciprocal printing (bidirectional), the optimum angle of the recording head is different from the moving direction of the carriage at the time of forward scan and at the time of backward scan. Has to be changed mechanically.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which has solved the above-mentioned problems.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus according to the present invention, comprising: a recording unit having an ink discharge section comprising a plurality of ink discharge ports; Image processing, comprising: a scanning unit that scans in the opposite direction; and a driving unit that drives the recording unit based on image information during the scanning by the scanning unit to eject ink from the plurality of ink ejection ports at different driving timings. In the apparatus, a first and a second ink ejection section in which the ink ejection ports are arranged in directions different from each other are provided in the recording means, and the scanning means scans in one direction to supply ink from the first ink ejection section. And ejecting ink from the second ink ejection unit by scanning in the direction opposite to the one direction.

Here, in the first and second ink ejection sections, the respective ink ejection ports are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the scanning direction of the scanning means.
According to the drive timing of the drive unit and the scanning speed of the scanning unit, an angle at which desired printing can be performed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction may be employed.

Here, a plurality of sets of the first and second ink ejection sections are provided, and the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section of each set are provided.
It is also possible to make it possible to perform color printing by ejecting inks of different colors from the ink ejection section at a predetermined timing.

Here, the same color order is used for the scanning in the one direction and the scanning in the opposite direction by the scanning means from the first ink ejection unit and the second ink ejection unit of each of the sets. Thus, it is also possible to discharge the inks of the different colors.

Here, the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section of each set may be integrally formed.

Here, the ink passages to the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section are independent, and the first ink ejection section is provided in the reverse direction from the first ink passage. The ink may be supplied to the second ink ejection section from the second ink passage in the one direction.

Here, the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.

Here, the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section may be arranged so as to partially overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.

Here, the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section may be juxtaposed in the scanning direction.

Here, image reading means may be provided together with the first and second ink ejection sections, and ink may be ejected from the first and second ink ejection sections based on image data from the image reading section. it can.

Here, the reading range of the image reading means is wider than the ink discharging range of the first or second ink discharging unit, and the reading range of the first ink discharging unit and the second ink discharging unit is large. It can be narrower than the ink ejection range.

Here, an image reading unit is provided together with the first and second ink discharging units, and ink is discharged from the first and second ink discharging units based on image data from the image reading unit. Can also.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the flow of image processing in a general copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, a CCD image sensor 21 (hereinafter, referred to as CCD 21), a document illumination lamp 14, a cell hook lens 15 and the like are mounted in a main scanning carriage 11, and the main scanning carriage 11 is located in a document reading area. The image is read by moving. On the platen glass 12, there are a document reading area for setting a document and a white plate 13 area used for shading correction. The optical image information of the original and the white plate 13 placed on the platen glass 12 is turned on by the original illumination lamp 14 and the light from the original illumination lamp 14 is applied to the original and the white plate 13 placed on the original platen glass 12. The reflected light is passed through the cell hook lens 15 to be guided to the CCD 21. The light guided and reflected by the CCD 21 is converted from a light signal into an electric signal (image signal) by the CCD 21.

The image signal output from the CCD 21 is
It is input to the analog signal processing circuit 2 as shown in FIG. The analog signal processing circuit 2 amplifies the input image signal so as to conform to the input dynamic range of the A / D converter 23 at the next stage. The analog signal processing 22 includes a plurality of Os
A circuit using a P-amplifier or the like or a circuit using a dedicated IC is used, and is configured so that an arbitrary amplification factor can be selected. The A / D converter 23 converts the input analog image signal into a digital image signal.

The image signal converted into the digital signal is corrected by the shading correction circuit 24 for unevenness in the light amount distribution of the original illumination lamp 14 and variation in the image signal due to the difference in sensitivity between the read pixels of the CCD 21. The image signal subjected to the shading correction is converted by the input masking circuit 25 from the color space by the color filters (R, G, B) of the CCD 21 into a standard color space of color. The image signal converted into the color standard color space is converted into a target image size by the scaling circuit 26. The scaled image signal is
The LOG conversion circuit 27 converts the R, G, and B luminance signals into C, M, and Y density signals.

The image signals converted into C, M, Y signals are
The output masking / UCR circuit 28 converts the color standard color space into a color space in consideration of the printing characteristics of the printer (converts the C, M, Y signals into C, M, Y, K signals). The C, M, Y, and K image signals converted into the color space in consideration of the printing characteristics of the printer are converted to a γ conversion circuit 29.
Is converted to the desired concentration. The image signal converted to the target density is converted by the binarization processing circuit 30 from an 8-bit multi-level signal to a binary signal. Printer 31
Performs printing (image formation) on paper based on an image signal converted into a binary signal.

Next, the operation of the recording head used in the printer 31 and the operation of the image reading device attached to the recording head will be described. A printer applicable to the present invention has a configuration having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles for printing, and is an on-demand type ink jet printer that forms an image by discharging ink from the nozzles according to an image to be printed. is there. The printer 31 is an inkjet printer of this type.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the ink jet printer of this type has a recording head section 32 on which a recording head 65 for performing line printing using 512 nozzles from a first nozzle to a 512th nozzle is mounted. The recording head 65 is controlled by a recording head drive control unit (not shown) in FIG.
A band-shaped image is formed by moving in the direction of the arrow A and sequentially performing line-shaped printing. The printing resolution of the ink jet printer is
Is determined by the nozzle arrangement pitch and the movement accuracy in the direction of arrow A in FIG. For example, if the pitch of the nozzle array of the recording head 65 is 0.0635 mm, 400
A printer having a printing resolution of dpi can be configured. Of course, a movement accuracy of 0.0635 mm pitch is required in the direction of arrow A.

Assuming that the number of nozzles of the recording head of this ink jet printer is 512 as described above, the printing width of one band is 0.0635 × 512 = 32.512 m.
m. Therefore, when printing of one band is completed,
The printing paper is transported 32.512 mm by a transport mechanism (not shown) in the direction of arrow B perpendicular to arrow A, and the next band printing is performed. The ink jet printer performs printing in a desired printing range by repeating the above printing control.

The optimum reading configuration of an image reading apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a scanner) corresponding to such an ink jet printer is, of course, a band reading method corresponding to band printing of the printer. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a desired image is read by a scanner including an image reading unit 66 equipped with a CCD 21 of 512 pixels in which pixels from a first pixel to a 512th pixel are arranged. 3, the pixel arrangement pitch is 0.0635 mm, and the moving pitch of the image reading unit 66 in the direction of arrow A is 0.0635 m.
By setting m, a scanner with a reading resolution of 400 dpi is configured.

Next, the positional relationship of the ink ejected on the paper will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the recording head has a configuration in which four ink ejection nozzles are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

The recording head ejects ink in the order of nozzles 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4,... While moving in the direction indicated by the arrow. As a result, the driving times of the nozzles 1 to 4 are shifted, and the nozzles are driven at different timings during the movement of the carriage. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, a print result is obtained in which ink is ejected onto the paper at an angle between the nozzles 1 to 4 obliquely to the direction perpendicular to the nozzle movement direction.

If the nozzles 1 to 4 are simultaneously driven to eject ink, the nozzles are perpendicular (no tilt) to the moving direction of the nozzles.
Print result. However, since an actual print head has 512 nozzles for each color, a large current for instantaneously driving the nozzles flows when ejecting from 512 nozzles simultaneously. For this reason, the nozzles in the print head are divided into several blocks, and the current flowing through the print head is not instantaneously concentrated by shifting the ink discharge timing between the blocks so that the nozzles discharge ink in block units. I have to. Therefore, here, the number of nozzles of the recording head is only four, but the description will be made assuming that the four nozzles are driven in a time-division manner.

As shown in FIG. 5B, if the printing result is inclined with respect to the nozzle movement direction, for example, even if a straight line perpendicular to the scanning direction is printed, a step occurs. Therefore, in an actual apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6A, the arrangement of the nozzles in the recording head is recorded in consideration of the speed of the recording head moving in the direction of the arrow and the timing of driving the nozzles 1 to 4. This is achieved by tilting the head in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the head. That is, FIG.
By tilting the nozzles in the recording head as shown in FIG. 6A, the printing result of printing a straight line perpendicular to the scanning direction becomes perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head as shown in FIG. The recording head is configured to be in the direction.

As described above, when an image is formed only by scanning from one direction, each nozzle of the recording head is set at a predetermined optimum angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the recording head. By arranging the print heads, it is possible to cope with the shift of the print dots in the block division driving of the recording head.

However, when the recording head is set at a predetermined optimum angle with respect to the scanning direction of the recording head from one direction, inconvenience occurs when printing is performed by scanning from another direction. For example, when the recording head is configured as shown in the arrangement of nozzles in FIG. 7A and printing is performed by scanning in the direction opposite to the printing direction shown in FIG. 6, the printing position of the ink on the paper is as shown in FIG. It is clear that the printing result is shifted as shown in the printing result of B).

In the case where all the nozzles in one recording head are ejected simultaneously, even if the nozzles are arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement of the recording head and printing is performed in both directions, the printing result is oblique. Never be. Hereinafter, rightward printing in the drawing is referred to as forward printing, and leftward printing is referred to as backward printing.

In the case of printing in the forward direction as shown in FIG.
When the carriage 60 is moved rightward and a certain point on the printing paper 63 is printed, the ink is applied to the printing paper 63 in the order of the recording head 68 for cyan, the recording head 67 for magenta, the recording head 66 for yellow, and the recording head 65 for black. Stick on top. Next, in the case of printing in the backward direction as shown in FIG. 9, when the carriage 60 is moved to the left and a certain point of the printing paper 63 is printed, a black recording head 65, a yellow recording head 66, and a magenta recording head 66 are printed. The ink adheres on the printing paper 63 in the order of the recording head 67 and the cyan recording head 68.

That is, since the order of the colors to which the ink is applied in the forward direction and the order of the colors to which the ink is applied in the backward direction are reversed, the order of the colors permeating the printing paper 63 is different. As a result, even if the same amount of ink is applied in the forward direction and the backward direction, the print result in the forward direction and the print result in the backward direction will look different.

Next, the basic technical concept of the present invention will be described.

First, an ink discharging method for discharging ink from the nozzles of the recording head used in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) for explaining the principle of ink ejection, showing a state in which no drive signal is applied to the nozzles.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes a heater for discharging ink. A drive circuit (not shown) is formed on the silicon wafer 101 in addition to the heater 100. Reference numeral 102 denotes an image forming ink. 10
4 is an orifice plate. Reference numeral 105 denotes an ink ejection port from which ink is ejected. Reference numeral 109 denotes a wall member for preventing the ink 102 from flowing to another place.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view (part 2) for explaining the principle of ink ejection, and shows the moment when a heater 100 is heated by applying a drive signal to the heater 100. At the moment when the heater 100 generates heat, bubbles 103 are generated around the heater 100. The generation of the bubble 103 causes the ink 102 to swell toward the ink discharge port 105 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view (part 3) for explaining the principle of ink ejection, and shows a case where the heater 100 generates heat for a certain period of time from the state shown in FIG. As the heating time of the heater 100 becomes longer, the bubble 103 grows, and the ink droplet 106 is pushed out to the portion of the ink ejection port (105) by the bubble 103.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view (part 4) for explaining the principle of ink ejection.
After the heat generation of 00, the drive signal of the heater 100 is turned off, and the state immediately after the end of the heat generation is shown.

The ink droplet 106 pushed out from the ink discharge port 105 by the bubble 103 generated and generated by the heat generated by the heater 100 flies in a predetermined direction toward a target position on the paper. In addition, since the heat generation of the heater 100 is stopped, the bubble 103 is rapidly reduced. When a further time elapses after the heater 100 stops generating heat, the bubbles 103 disappear and return to the state shown in FIG.
As described above, the recording head that discharges ink is configured with the heater 100, the ink 102, and the ink discharge port 105 as main components.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a recording head to which the present invention is applied. In this figure and the following figures, the same components as those in FIGS. 10 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

A sponge (not shown) is contained in the ink tank 107, and the sponge is impregnated with ink. The ink soaked in the sponge is supplied from the ink supply port 113 to the portion where the heater 100 is disposed through the ink passage 108 as indicated by an arrow. The ink supplied to the heater 100 is ejected from the ink ejection port 105 as an ink droplet 106 at a predetermined timing in accordance with the ink ejection principle described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a structural view of a nozzle of a print head to which the present invention is applied, and shows an example of the structure of the nozzle as viewed from the bottom surface of the print head shown in FIG.

The recording head 110 shown in FIG. 15 shows an example in which three nozzles are arranged in two rows. The orifice plate 104 has six ink discharge ports 105 at the center of the heater 100. Also, an ink passage 108 is formed in each heater 100,
The ink is supplied from the ink tank via the ink passage 108.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration of a monochrome recording head.

The recording head 110 forms an image by performing scanning in both reciprocating directions as indicated by arrows in both figures. The recording head 110 is configured to include two nozzle rows as illustrated. Nozzle array 111 to be printed during forward scan and nozzle array 11 to be printed during backward scan
2 is composed of, for example, 512 nozzles, and two types of configurations are possible as shown in FIG. 16 or FIG.

In FIG. 16, at the time of forward scanning, printing is performed using the nozzle row 111 disposed on the rear side with respect to the scanning direction of the recording head 110. Further, at the time of backward scanning, printing is performed using the nozzle row 112 arranged on the rear side with respect to the scanning direction of the recording head 110.

In FIG. 17, at the time of forward scanning, printing is performed using the nozzle row 111 arranged on the front side of the recording head 110 in the scanning direction. At the time of backward scanning, printing is performed using the nozzle row 112 arranged on the front side with respect to the scanning direction of the recording head 110.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, the recording head for black-and-white printing has been described. However, this nozzle arrangement is not particularly limited to a recording head for black-and-white printing, and is provided with cyan (C), magenta (M), Similar arrangements can be made for recording heads of other colors such as yellow (Y).

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of ink at the time of forward scanning by the nozzle arrangement of the recording head of FIG.

If it is assumed that ink is being ejected from all the nozzles during the forward scan, ink is supplied from the ink supply port 113, and each ink ejection port 1 is supplied in a flow indicated by an arrow in the drawing.
Ink is supplied in the vicinity of 05.

The recording head 110 moves in the direction indicated by the forward arrow shown during the forward scan. For this reason, a force in the direction opposite to the direction of the force generated by the scan of the print head is applied to the flow of ink supplied to the nozzle row arranged on the front side in the scanning direction.
Further, with respect to the flow of ink supplied to the print head arranged on the rear side with respect to the forward scan direction,
A force in the same direction as the direction of the force generated by the scanning of the recording head is applied.

Therefore, in order to stably supply the ink to all the ink ejection ports 105, it is necessary to consider the force applied to the ink by the movement of the recording head 110. That is, it is apparent that ink is more easily supplied to the nozzles arranged on the rear side than the nozzles arranged on the front side in the moving direction. In order to stably supply ink to all the ink ejection ports, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the configuration example of the recording head in FIG. 16, the ink is arranged rearward in the moving direction of the recording head. A nozzle array to which the ink is supplied smoothly is used.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of ink during forward scanning by the nozzle arrangement of the recording head in FIG. The flow of the ink supplied from the ink supply port 113 is as shown in the drawing, and the ink is smoothly supplied to the nozzle row arranged on the rear side in the moving direction of the recording head.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a color printer.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example 1 of a color recording head using a plurality of the above nozzle arrays. Black recording head 120, yellow recording head 12
1. The recording heads 122 for magenta and the recording heads 123 for cyan are juxtaposed in the scanning direction, and printing is performed using the nozzle rows arranged rearward in the scanning direction of the recording heads of the respective colors.

In FIG. 20, at the time of forward scanning, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y),
Printing is performed in the color order of black (K), and conversely, in the backward scanning, printing is performed in the color order of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a configuration example 2 of a color recording head using a plurality of the above nozzle arrays.

A black / cyan recording head 124, a yellow / magenta recording head 125, a magenta / yellow recording head 126, and a cyan / black recording head 127 are juxtaposed in the scanning direction. On the other hand, printing is performed using the nozzle array arranged on the rear side.

Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 21, both cyan and cyan are used for the forward scan and the backward scan.
Printing is performed in the order of magenta, yellow, and black. 20 and 21, color printing is possible. However, since the color recording head shown in FIG. 21 has the same color order in the forward scan and the backward scan, the color order is the same. The difference between the print results in the forward direction and the backward direction is reduced. However, two print heads (for example, black / cyan print head 124)
Since it is necessary to supply color (black and cyan) inks, the configuration inside the print head becomes complicated, and the price of the print head increases. Therefore, in consideration of the desired print quality and the price of the recording head, one of the configurations of the color recording head shown in FIG. 20 or 21 may be selected.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example 1 of the two-color integrated recording head shown in FIG. 21. Here, a black / cyan recording head 124 is shown.

At the time of the forward scan, black ink is ejected using the black nozzle row 124K arranged on the rear side in the scan direction. At the time of the backward scanning, cyan ink is ejected using the cyan nozzle row 124C arranged on the rear side in the scanning direction.
As described above, by selecting and using the nozzle row according to the scanning direction, an ideal ink flow from the ink supply port 113 to the nozzle is obtained for both the forward printing and the backward printing as described with reference to FIG. The ink is always smoothly supplied to the used nozzle row.

The print heads shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 are provided with four print heads each using one set of nozzle rows used in the forward scan and one set of nozzle rows used in the backward scan.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a horizontal example 1 of a four-color integrated recording head, in which a two-color integrated recording head in which two sets of the above nozzle arrangements are integrated is used. 1 shows a configuration example 1 of a generalized color recording head.

The four-color integrated color recording head 139 shown in FIG.
In the figures, 139a and 139b are two-color integrated recording heads. The two-color integrated recording head 139a is for magenta / yellow / cyan / black, and is used for printing in the order of cyan and magenta during forward scanning and yellow and black during backward scanning. The two-color integrated recording head 139b is for black / cyan / yellow / magenta, and is used for printing in the order of yellow and black during forward scanning and cyan and magenta during backward scanning. At the time of forward scanning, the recording head 139 is used.
In the backward scanning, the recording heads 139b and 139a are driven in this order, and printing is performed in the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors in both directions.

FIG. 24 shows a horizontal example 2 of the four-color integrated recording head.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a color recording head by integrating four sets of the above nozzle arrangement.

Reference numeral 140 denotes a four-color integrated recording head. The four-color integrated recording head 140 is for black / cyan / magenta / yellow / magenta / yellow / cyan / black. At the time of forward scanning, printing is performed in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black using a nozzle row on the rear side in the direction. When scanning in the backward direction, the nozzle row on the rear side is used for the direction, and cyan,
Printing is performed in the order of magenta, yellow, and black.

In addition to using the four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, for example, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, dark yellow, light yellow, dark black, light black, etc. It is also possible to prepare and use a required number of recording heads by using eight colors of ink.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, a color recording head is constructed by serially arranging a nozzle array used in the forward scan and a nozzle array used in the backward scan in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage. is there. The color recording head includes a black recording head 130, a yellow recording head 131, and a magenta recording head 13.
2, a recording head 133 for cyan, and a CCD 138 is attached to the carriage. Ink is ejected from an ink ejection section of each recording head based on image data read by a CCD 138 provided with each recording head.

In the third example of the structure of the color recording head shown in FIG.
A predetermined angle is set for each of the forward scan and the backward scan as described above, and the forward nozzle row 130a and the backward nozzle row 130b are arranged. The same applies to other recording heads, but it is assumed that an ink supply port is arranged on the right side of the nozzle row for the forward direction in the figure and an ink supply port is arranged on the left side of the nozzle row for the backward direction in the figure.

The CCD 138, which is an image sensor, is composed of, for example, the number of pixels required to generate data of the nozzle row on the forward or backward side of the black recording head 130, and includes all the nozzles of the black recording head 130. Of pixels slightly more than half the number of pixels. That is, when printing in the forward direction, the CCD 138 executes reading in the forward direction in synchronization with the scan of the recording head in the forward direction.

When the CCD 138 completes reading in the forward direction, the CCD 138 moves by a predetermined amount in a position for reading an image in the backward scanning direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, in order to perform reading in the backward direction. Then, when printing in the backward direction is performed next, the CCD 138 executes reading in the backward direction in synchronization with the scan of the recording head in the backward direction. Since the CCD 138 reads data of all pixels at the same time, there is no need to tilt the CCD 138 with respect to the scanning direction unlike the configuration of the recording head, and the CCD 138 is arranged perpendicular to the scanning direction of the recording head.

According to this embodiment, the size of the recording head in the scanning direction can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, color printing is performed by four print heads in which nozzle rows used in the forward scan and nozzle rows used in the backward scan are arranged in series in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage. 14 shows a fourth example of the configuration of the head. This color recording head includes a black recording head 260, a yellow recording head 261, a magenta recording head 262, and a cyan recording head 263, and a CCD 138 is attached to the carriage. CCD provided with each recording head
Based on the image data read at 138, ink is ejected from the ink ejection unit of each recording head.

The arrangement of the ink supply ports is the same as that in FIG. 25. The difference from the configuration example 2 in FIG. 25 is that, in the configuration of the recording head for each color, the forward nozzles and the rear nozzles are arranged. Is different. That is, by arranging the positions of the nozzles on the forward and backward sides in the scan width direction so as to partially overlap each other, the length of the recording head in the scan width direction can be shortened. In the system shown in Configuration Example 4 of the color recording head shown in FIG. 26, when performing printing in the forward direction, the CCD 138 performs reading in the forward direction in synchronization with scanning of the recording head in the forward direction.

After the image reading and printing in the forward direction are completed, C
The CD 138 moves by a predetermined amount in a position for reading an image in the backward scanning direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, in order to execute backward reading. The print paper printed in the forward direction is a position where pixels are printed by the backward scan in order to execute backward printing, that is, a predetermined amount in the direction perpendicular to the scan direction (after printing in the forward print direction). , The print position in the backward direction is adjusted). When the movement of the CCD 138 and the printing paper to the predetermined position for the backward printing is completed, the CCD 138 performs the backward reading in synchronization with the backward scanning of the recording head, and prints an image.

(Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 27, a nozzle row used in the forward scan and a nozzle row used in the backward scan are arranged in series in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage. 9 shows a configuration example 5 of the recording head. The color recording head includes a black / cyan recording head 134, a yellow /
Magenta recording head 135, magenta / yellow recording head 136, cyan / black recording head 137
And a CCD 138 is attached to the carriage. Ink is ejected from an ink ejection section of each recording head based on image data read by a CCD 138 provided with each recording head.

The difference from FIGS. 25 and 26 is that the color of ink supplied to the forward nozzle and the backward nozzle is different in one recording head configuration.

[0086] This makes it possible to print two colors of ink in one recording head, thereby making it possible to make the colors of ink printed in the forward direction and the backward direction the same. become. That is, when printing in the forward direction, printing can be performed in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and when printing in the backward direction, printing is performed in the same order as when printing in the forward direction in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. That makes it possible. For this reason, the difference between the printing results in the forward direction and the backward direction can be reduced.

FIG. 28 shows a two-color integrated recording head (for example, black / cyan recording head 13 shown in FIG. 27).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example 2 of 4) together with the flow of ink.

At the time of forward scanning, black ink is supplied from the ink supply port 113 to the forward black nozzle row 134K, and ink is supplied as indicated by the arrow in the drawing. When scanning in the backward direction, the nozzle row 1 for cyan on the backward side
Cyan ink is supplied to 34C from the ink supply port 113, and the ink is supplied as indicated by the arrow in the drawing.
By selecting and using nozzle rows with different ink colors according to the scanning direction in this manner, both forward printing and backward printing can be performed.
As described with reference to FIG. 19, the ideal flow of ink flows from the ink supply port 113 to the nozzles, and the ink is always smoothly supplied to the nozzle rows used.

That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to print different colors of ink inside one recording head. Also, in the print head for color printing shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, similarly to the print head shown in FIG. 27, inks of different colors are used for the forward nozzle row and the backward nozzle row in one print head. It is also possible to use

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording means is driven based on the image information during the scanning by the scanning means which bidirectionally scans the recording means having an ink discharge portion comprising a plurality of ink discharge ports. In an image processing apparatus for ejecting ink at different drive timings from each of a plurality of ink ejection ports, first and second ink ejection sections in which the ink ejection ports are arranged at different predetermined angles are provided in a recording unit, and scanning is performed. Means for ejecting ink from a first ink ejection section in one direction of scanning, and ejecting ink from a second ink ejection section in a direction opposite to the one direction. Since desired printing can be performed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction according to the scanning speed, printing in a reciprocating direction can be performed with a simple configuration. Further, the ink ejection units arranged on the rear side with respect to the scanning direction of the recording means are used for printing in the scanning direction, and the ink ejection units used for printing are arranged from the front side in the scanning direction with respect to the ink ejection units used for printing. It is configured to supply the ink, and the supply of the ink can be performed smoothly.

Further, by arranging two sets of ink ejection sections in the recording means and using different colors of ink to be supplied to the rows of nozzles of each ink ejection section, the order of printing colors during forward printing and the reverse printing It is possible to make the printing color order the same at the time of printing, and it is possible to improve the image quality of the printing result.

Further, two sets of ink ejection sections in the recording means are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, and one of the sets is used for forward printing.
By making the other side have an optimum inclination for the back side printing and enabling printing in the reciprocating direction, the image reading means is configured to be used for the forward side printing and the back side printing. Can be accommodated by the length of one side printing by the ink ejection unit, so the image reading sensor can be downsized,
Further, since the memory length in the reading pixel direction of the image reading sensor is reduced, the capacity of the memory can be reduced, so that the cost of the apparatus can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading device.

FIG. 2 is an image processing block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system of the image reading device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a moving direction of a nozzle.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a moving direction of a CCD image sensor.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a printing example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating a print example.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) illustrating a printing example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating forward printing.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating printing in the backward direction.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating the principle of ink ejection.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating the principle of ink ejection.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) for explaining the principle of ink ejection.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 4) for explaining the principle of ink ejection.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a recording head to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a nozzle configuration diagram of a recording head to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a configuration example of a black-and-white recording head.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating a configuration example of a monochrome recording head.

18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of ink during forward scanning by the nozzle array of the recording head in FIG.

19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of ink during forward scanning by the nozzle array of the recording head in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 1 of a color recording head.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 2 of the color recording head.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 1 of a two-color integrated recording head.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a horizontal example 1 of the four-color integrated recording head.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 2 of the four-color integrated recording head.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 3 of the color recording head.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 4 of the color recording head.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 5 of the color recording head.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example 2 of the two-color integrated recording head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 main scanning carriage 12 platen glass 13 white plate 14 document illumination lamp 15 cell hook lens 21, 138 CCD image sensor 22 analog signal processing circuit 23 A / D converter 24 shading correction circuit 25 input masking circuit 26 scaling circuit 27 LOG Conversion circuit 28 Output masking / UCR circuit 29 γ conversion circuit 30 Binarization circuit 31 Printer 32 Recording head unit 60 Carriage 63 Printing paper 65, 120, 130, 260 Black recording head 66, 121, 131, 261 Yellow recording head 67, 122, 132, 262 Magenta recording head 68, 123, 133, 263 Cyan recording head 70 Recording head 71 Image reading unit 100 Heater 101 Silicon 102 Ink 103 Bubbles 104 Off Disk plate 105 Ink ejection port 106 Ink drop 107 Ink tank 108 Ink passage 109 Wall member 110 Recording head 111 Outgoing side nozzle array 112 Incoming side nozzle array 113 Ink supply port 124, 134 Black / cyan recording head 125, 135 Recording head for yellow / magenta 126,136 Recording head for magenta / yellow 127,137 Recording head for cyan / black 139,140 Four-color integrated recording head 139a, 139b Two-color integrated recording head

Claims (12)

[Claims] A recording unit having an ink ejection section including a plurality of ink ejection ports; a scanning unit for bidirectionally scanning the recording unit; and a driving unit for driving the recording unit based on image information during scanning by the scanning unit. A driving unit for discharging ink from the plurality of ink discharge ports at different drive timings, wherein the first ink discharge ports are arranged in different directions from each other.
And a second ink ejection section is provided in the recording means, and ink is ejected from the first ink ejection section by scanning in one direction by the scanning means, and the second ink is ejected by scanning in the direction opposite to the one direction. An image processing apparatus characterized in that an ink is ejected from an ink ejection section of (1). 2. The first and second ink ejection sections,
The respective ink ejection ports are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the scanning direction of the scanning unit, and the predetermined angle is substantially equal to the scanning direction according to the driving timing of the driving unit and the scanning speed of the scanning unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle is set so that desired printing can be performed in a vertical direction. 3. A plurality of sets of the first and second ink discharge units are provided, and each group discharges ink of a different color at a predetermined timing from the first ink discharge unit and the second ink discharge unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to perform color printing. 4. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ink ejection units of each of the sets have the same color order in the scanning in the one direction and the scanning in the opposite direction by the scanning unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different color inks are ejected. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section of each of the sets are integrally formed. apparatus. 6. An ink passage to the first ink ejection unit and the second ink ejection unit is independent, and the first ink ejection unit is provided in the opposite direction from the first ink passage to the first ink ejection unit.
2. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the ink is supplied to the second ink ejection unit from the second ink passage in the one direction.
6. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. Image processing device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink ejection section and the second ink ejection section are partially overlapped in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.
The image processing device according to any one of the above. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink ejection unit and the second ink ejection unit are arranged side by side in the scanning direction. 10. An image reading unit is provided together with the first and second ink ejection units, and ink is ejected from the first and second ink ejection units based on image data from the image reading unit. Claim 1
9. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 11. A reading range of the image reading means is wider than an ink discharging range of the first or second ink discharging unit, and the reading range of the first ink discharging unit and the second ink discharging unit is larger than that of the first or second ink discharging unit.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ink ejection range of the image processing unit is smaller than an ink ejection range. 12. An image reading unit is provided together with the first and second ink ejection units, and an ink is ejected from the first and second ink ejection units based on image data from the image reading unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: