JPH11157074A - Printer and method for controlling printing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct a printing in higher density by improving the control of a head without making the constitution of the head complex. SOLUTION: Three nozzles are arranged on each of lines inclined with respect to a head advancing direction X in a printing head 1. If a first nozzle group taking the lead of the groups as seen in the direction X reaches above a column to be printed, first nozzles conduct printing. If a second nozzle group reaches above the same column, second nozzles conduct printing. And in a similar manner third nozzles conduct printing. Ink pressurizing chambers for feeding ink to nozzles closely arranged are separated one from another by thin walls. If the walls are vibrated by electric signals, ink is delivered from one of the chambers. If one of the adjoining chambers expands, the other one contracts so that ink cannot be delivered simultaneously from the adjoining nozzles. By the control as described above, ink is delivered from a plurality of nozzles by turns and hence a printing can be effected in high density.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and a printing control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers are widely used in word processors, personal computers, and various other office equipment. The images generated by these devices are becoming more and more precise with the higher performance of the devices, and the image quality required for the printer is also required to be high. To improve the image quality of a printer, it is necessary to increase the arrangement density of pixels, that is, print dots. For example, in an ink jet printer, an arrangement has been devised to increase the array density of nozzles for ejecting ink and printing dots one by one, and to precisely control the movement of a head equipped with nozzles.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved.
Since a pressurizing chamber or the like for discharging ink is connected to the nozzle of the ink jet printer, there is a limit in increasing the arrangement density. Further, the more precise the structure of the ink chamber, the higher the cost. Therefore,
There is a demand for development of a technique for performing higher-density printing by devising head control without complicating the configuration of the head.

[0004]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems. <Structure 1> A plurality of nozzle groups arranged at predetermined intervals on a line having a predetermined inclination in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction on the printing surface, When setting a column group arranged in parallel at an arbitrary interval when viewed in the scanning direction, each of the nozzles moves while moving in the main scanning direction,
A printer, comprising: a print control unit that controls printing of a dot at each passing point every time a column is crossed.

<Structure 2> On the printing surface, a plurality of nozzle groups are provided at predetermined intervals on a line having a predetermined inclination in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. A column group arranged in parallel at an arbitrary interval when viewed in the main scanning direction on the surface is set, and each of the above nozzles moves in the main scanning direction, and at each passing point, the nozzle crosses one of the columns at the passing point. A print control method, wherein dots are printed, and dot groups are printed at predetermined intervals along the columns by the nozzle groups.

<Structure 3> On the printing surface, the intervals when viewed in the main scanning direction are arranged at L, and the intervals when viewed in the sub-scanning direction are arranged at the pitch M of dots to be printed. Then, a set of three nozzles arranged in a line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination both in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction integrally advance in the main scanning direction. When printing dots on a column group arranged in parallel so that the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3 L on the printing surface, when printing dots on the column group, In order from the nozzle at the position of the first nozzle,
When referred to as a second nozzle and a third nozzle, each time the nozzle group crosses the same column in the order of the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle while traveling in the main scanning direction, the nozzle group is located on the column. A print control method comprising: driving a single nozzle to print a dot row on each column at an interval M along the column.

<Configuration 4> On the printing surface, the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is arranged to be 2L, and the interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at the pitch M of dots to be printed. Then, a set of three nozzles arranged in a line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination both in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction integrally advance in the main scanning direction. When printing dots on a column group arranged in parallel so that the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3 L on the printing surface, when printing dots on the column group, In order from the nozzle at the position of the first nozzle,
When referred to as a second nozzle and a third nozzle, while the nozzle group advances in the main scanning direction, the first nozzle is driven when the first nozzle crosses an arbitrary column at a predetermined timing, and the next timing Driving the third nozzle when the third nozzle crosses the column immediately before the arbitrary column, and driving the second nozzle when the second nozzle crosses the arbitrary column at the next timing; Further, at the next timing, when the first nozzle traverses a column immediately after the above-mentioned arbitrary column, the first nozzle is driven. In this order, each nozzle is driven. And a dot control method for printing a dot row.

<Structure 5> On the printing surface, the intervals when viewed in the main scanning direction are arranged to be L, and the intervals when viewed in the sub-scanning direction are arranged at the pitch of dots to be printed. A print head is provided in which a plurality of three nozzle groups arranged in a line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. At the same time, a column group arranged in parallel on the printing surface so as to have an interval of 3 L when viewed in the main scanning direction is set,
When the nozzles are referred to as a first nozzle group, a second nozzle group, and a third nozzle group, respectively, in order from the nozzle located at the head position in the traveling direction of the plurality of nozzle groups, the nozzles are viewed in the sub-scanning direction. The print data for one column is supplied to the print head in the arrangement order of the nozzles, and while the nozzle groups proceed in the main scanning direction, the same nozzle group, the second nozzle group, and the third nozzle group have the same order. A printer comprising a print control unit for driving a nozzle group on a column each time the column is crossed.

<Structure 6> On the printing surface, the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is arranged to be 2L, and the interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at the pitch of dots to be printed. A print head is provided in which a plurality of three nozzle groups arranged in a line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. At the same time, on the printing surface, a column group arranged in parallel so that the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3 L is set, and the plurality of nozzle groups are set at the top positions in the traveling direction. When each nozzle is referred to as a first nozzle group, a second nozzle group, and a third nozzle group, respectively, in order from a certain nozzle, print data of an arbitrary column is supplied to the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group. In the third nozzle group, When the first nozzle crosses an arbitrary column at a predetermined timing while the nozzle group advances in the main scanning direction while supplying the print data at the corresponding position of the column immediately before the column of interest. The first nozzle is driven, and when the third nozzle crosses the column immediately before the arbitrary column at the next timing, the third nozzle is driven, and the arbitrary column is driven at the next timing.
When the nozzle crosses, the second nozzle is driven, and at the next timing, the first nozzle is driven when the first nozzle crosses a column immediately after the above-mentioned arbitrary column. A printer comprising a control unit.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. <Example 1> FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a print head according to Example 1. The print head 1 shown in FIG. 1A has a structure in which a required number of nozzles are overlapped with components having a rectangular ink pressurizing chamber 2 having a rectangular cross section and having nozzles on the front surface thereof. In the present invention, as shown in the figure, when the position of the nozzles N1, N2, and N3 is the main scanning direction, the head traveling direction X is a predetermined value in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. They are arranged on a line with a slope. And
Here, when viewed in the head traveling direction X, the first nozzle N1, the second nozzle N2, and the third nozzle N3 are named from the head side.

A set of three nozzle groups is provided in the longitudinal direction of the print head 1. The first nozzles N1 of each group are collectively called Group A, the second nozzle N2 is collectively called Group B, and the third nozzle N3 is collectively called Group C. The ink pressure chambers 2 are separated from each other by piezoelectric piezo walls 3.

A print head 1 having a structure as shown on the right side of FIG.
Is used to perform printing on a printing surface such as a sheet of paper as shown on the left side of FIG. The n-th print column and the (n + 1) -th print column shown in the drawing indicate lines parallel to the sub-scanning direction in which dots are printed on the printing surface. The interval between the nth print column and the (n + 1) th print column is
It is set to 3L. Note that the distance between the group A and the group B of the nozzles of the print head 1 is L. The distance between the B group and the C group is also L.

During the printing operation, the print head 1 advances in the X direction at a constant speed, and performs printing by driving one of the nozzles each time it advances by L. First, the first nozzle N of the print head 1
Suppose that 1 has moved across the nth print column. This state is shown in FIG. At this time, the first nozzle N
1 to print a dot on the n-th print column. This printing position is a location. In addition, since the nozzles of the entire A group are printed, another set of first nozzles N1 (not shown) simultaneously prints on the n-th print column.

Next, the print head 1 advances by L in the X direction. At this time, the second nozzle N2 crosses the n-th printing column and reaches immediately above the n-th printing column. Here, the second nozzle N2, that is, the nozzles of the group B are simultaneously driven. Next, when the print head 1 moves by L again in the X direction, the third nozzle N3 reaches just above the nth print column so as to cross the nth print column. Here, the third nozzle N3
That is, the nozzles of the group C are simultaneously driven. Thus,
Three dots are printed on the n-th printing column by three nozzles at a timing shifted with respect to time. afterwards,
When the print head 1 advances in the X direction by L, the first nozzle N1 reaches the (n + 1) th print column again. here,
The first nozzles N1, that is, the nozzles of the group A are simultaneously driven. Printing is performed by repeating the above operation.

Such control depends on the structural characteristics of the print head. The configuration of the print head that performs the above control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the print head. On the front surface of the print head 1, a number of nozzles N are arranged. Here, for convenience of illustration, only six nozzles N are displayed. The print head 1 is mounted on a substrate 4 and is configured to receive a driving electric signal from a print control circuit (not shown) and selectively eject ink from each nozzle.

FIG. 3 shows the print head 1 having the J shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view along the line J. The ink pressurizing chamber 2 has an elongated cylindrical shape, and a nozzle N1 is provided at the left end thereof.
Note that the right end portion of the ink pressurizing chamber 2 is sealed with a lid (not shown) or the like.

FIG. 4 shows a print head KK shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the line. When the print head 1 is cut along the line KK shown in FIG. 3 and the direction of the nozzle N1 is viewed, a sectional view as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. As shown in the drawing, when a voltage is applied to the piezo wall 3 sandwiched between the two electrodes 5, the piezo wall 3 is distorted rightward or leftward depending on how the voltage is applied. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the piezo walls 3 arranged on both sides of the ink pressurizing chamber 2 connected to the central nozzle N2 increase the volume of the ink pressurizing chamber 2 by the broken lines in the drawing. Suppose that it is distorted in the direction shown. At this time,
Ink is sucked into the ink pressurizing chamber 2 from an ink tank (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the print head shown in FIG. 4 at the next timing. By controlling as shown in FIG. 3, the volume of the ink pressurizing chamber 2 connected to the nozzle N2 shown in the center is expanded and ink is sucked, and then the electrodes 5 and 5 are turned on.
5 is applied with a voltage of the opposite polarity. As a result, the two piezo walls 3 sandwiching the ink pressurizing chamber 2 are
Is distorted so as to reduce the volume. This is indicated by a broken line in the figure. By this movement, ink is ejected from the ink pressurizing chamber 2 through the nozzle N2. Note that this nozzle N
The ink pressurizing chambers connected to the nozzles N1 or N3 on both sides of the nozzle 2 change its volume and internal volume due to distortion of the piezo wall 3 on one side.

However, the shape of the ink pressurizing chamber 2 and the viscosity of the ink are set so that the ink is not ejected only by the movement of the piezo wall on one side. As a result, ink is ejected only from the central nozzle N2. Similarly, the ink ejection operation of the nozzles N1 and N3 is performed at the next timing. Therefore, the adjacent ink pressurizing chambers 2 are 1
Since they are separated by the piezo walls 3, they cannot be driven simultaneously to eject ink. For this reason, the print head 1 of this specific example has the nozzles N1, N2,
Printing is performed by shifting the timing in time in the order of N3.

If a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a line in parallel with the sub-scanning direction, all the nozzles cannot be driven at the same time.
The array density of print dots in the sub-scanning direction is less than half the array density of nozzles. In view of this, the dot groups are arranged on a line inclined in the sub-scanning direction as described above, and the print control is performed with a temporally shifted timing.

FIG. 6 shows a specific operation explanatory diagram of the print head. For example, when three nozzles are sequentially driven, the piezo wall operates as shown in FIG. Nozzle N
In order to control the ink ejection operation by these elements, the four piezo walls 3-1, 3-2, 3-
3, 3-4 are provided. Here, the nozzles N1, N
In the case of driving in the order of N2 and N3, first, as shown in (b), the piezo walls 3-1 and 3-2 are distorted from the state shown in (a) and the ink is supplied to the ink pressurizing chamber connected to the nozzle N1. Inhalation.

Then, as shown in (c), the two piezo walls 3-1 and 3-2 sandwiching the nozzle N1 are distorted in the opposite directions, and ink is ejected from the nozzle N1. At this time,
At the same time, the piezo wall 3-3 is distorted so that the ink is sucked into the ink pressurizing chamber connected to the nozzle N2. Then, at the timing shown in the next (d), the central nozzle N2
The ink is ejected from the nozzle N2 by distorting the piezo walls 3-2 and 3-3 sandwiching. At the same time, the piezo wall 3-4 is distorted and the ink is sucked into the ink pressurizing chamber connected to the nozzle N3. Finally, as shown in (e), the piezo wall 3
The ink is ejected from the nozzle N3 by distorting -3 and 3-4. The three nozzles N1, N in the order shown above
Ink can be ejected sequentially from N2 and N3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a print head. As a specific structure of the print head, if the ink pressurizing chambers are arranged and laminated as shown in (a) or (b) shown in the drawing, printing can be performed in the same manner as described above. . (B) of the figure has the same configuration as that described above. (A) shows the nozzles N1, N2, N3
Are sufficiently reduced when viewed in the main scanning direction. The ink pressure chambers each having one nozzle were used as a unit, and these were slightly shifted in the longitudinal direction from each other and adhered. Any configuration may be adopted in consideration of a control method, cost, the number of nozzles, and the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the print head. The operation of the print head of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, as shown in the figure, it is assumed that a head having three nozzles N1, N2, and N3 disposed on a diagonally straight line descending to the right is moved by L in the head traveling direction. The position of the print head is at the right end t0, and thereafter t1, t
It is assumed that the head advances in the head advancing direction, such as 2, t3, t4. t0 to t6 indicate temporal timing at which the print head 1 is located at that location. Columns to be printed are set at 3 L intervals as shown in the figure. If the pixel density in the main scanning direction is the same as the pixel density in the sub-scanning direction, the pitch of dots indicated by black circles arranged in each column is 3L. Of course, the print dot intervals in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction may be freely selected. The print head advances in the advancing direction by L from the start position of t0, and at time t1, the nozzle N1
Crosses the third column. Here, the nozzle N1 is driven.

Next, when the head moves by L in the head traveling direction, the second nozzle N2 crosses the n-th column. Here, the nozzle N2 is driven. Further, the head moves by L in the traveling direction, and at time t3, the nozzle N
3 crosses the nth column. Therefore, dots are printed by the nozzle N3. Next, the vehicle advances in the traveling direction by L, and at time t4, the nozzle N1 crosses the (n + 1) th column. Then, the nozzle N1 is driven. Printing on the (n + 1) th column is performed in a similar manner.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a print control method for performing the above control. A data control method for printing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the print head 1 is provided with one nozzle group 5-1 including three nozzles N1, N2, and N3. And
The nozzles N1 and N1 have the same positional relationship with the next nozzle group 5-2.
N2 and N3 are provided. A print head is configured by arranging several sets of such nozzle groups.

Here, as shown on the left side of the figure, (1) to (6) are in the n-th column, and (7) to (7) are in the n + 1-th column.
It is assumed that the data of (12) is printed. In this case, first, data for driving each nozzle is as shown in the lower part of FIG.
(6). The nozzles N of the nozzle groups 5-1, 5-2,...
The data of (1) and (4) are supplied to the A group consisting of 1. The data of (2) and (5) are supplied to the B group, and the data of (3) and (6) are supplied to the C group. The buffer data α for the current time may be controlled in the manner of (1) to (6), and the buffer data β for the next time may be controlled in the manner of (7) to (12).

As described above, in the case of the print head having the structure of the first embodiment, each nozzle is driven at a timing shifted with respect to time, but all the adjacent nozzles are arranged in columns to be printed. The control may be performed by directly supplying data corresponding to each dot. The following hardware is used to perform the above control.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a print control unit used for specific printing. The print control unit includes a print data storage buffer 11, a control unit 12, a print data processing unit 13, a DMA (direct memory access) unit 14,
A maximum transfer number register 15A, a transfer number counter 15B, a processing table 15C, a linear encoder 16, a printer head position detection unit 17, a processing print data first storage unit 18,
It comprises a processed print data second storage unit 19, a drive nozzle group designation unit 20, a head drive voltage output unit 21, and a printer head 22.

The print data storage buffer 11 is a part for storing data for driving the printer head 22 to perform printing. Note that the print data also includes information on the print position. The control unit 12 includes a central processing unit that processes print data and controls printing. The DMA unit 14 is a unit that receives a data transfer start address, an end address, a data transfer start command, and the like from the control unit 12 and automatically transfers data from the print data storage buffer 11 to the print data processing unit 13.

The printer head position detector 17 obtains printer head position information from the linear encoder 16 which detects the position of the printer head following the movement of the printer head, and outputs a predetermined signal. The control unit 12 obtains the current position information of the printer head from the printer head position detection unit 17 and, if the position is included in the print area, instructs the DMA unit 14 to transfer the corresponding print data. Is the part that has

The print data processing unit 13 receives data necessary for printing from the DMA unit 14, processes the data in accordance with the traveling direction of the printer head, and transfers the data to the first processed print data storage unit 18. . It has a function of performing control such as reversing the transfer order of print data when the printer head advances in the forward direction and when the printer head advances in the reverse direction. The maximum transfer number register 15A
This is a register for storing the number of nozzles provided in the printer head. The print data processing unit 13 transfers the same number of data as the number of nozzles to the printer head while referring to this.

The transfer number counter 15B is a part for counting the number of print data transferred to the processed print data first storage unit 18. The processing table 15C is a part that performs a process of combining data to be transferred to the nozzles when performing the printing control of the specific example 2 described later. The processed print data first storage unit 18 is a unit that collectively stores print data for the number of nozzles of the printer head 22. The processed print data second storage unit 19 is a unit that receives the transfer of the print data from the processed print data first storage unit 18 and holds the transfer. Data to be actually printed is stored in the processed print data second storage unit 19, and the processed print data first storage unit 18 operates to receive and hold the print data of the next column during printing.

The processed print data second storage unit 19 receives a latch pulse from the printer head position detection unit 17 at a print timing. That is, a latch pulse is input at each column interval described above, and the latch pulse is received and data is latched. The driving nozzle group designating section 20 receives a pulse for switching the driving nozzle from the printer head position detecting section 17 every time the printer head advances by one third of the column interval. Further, upon receiving the driving nozzle switching pulse, the driving nozzle group designating section 20 receives a group of nozzles to be driven with respect to the head driving voltage output section 21, that is, any one of the groups A, B, and C described above. A control signal is output to specify.

The head drive voltage output unit 21 uses the data received from the processed print data second storage unit 19 and the signal received from the drive nozzle group designation unit 20 to specify the nozzles that are actually driven to the printer head 22. Output the signal to operate. When ink is to be ejected, a predetermined drive voltage is applied. When ink is not ejected, a voltage of 0 volt is output.

An actual printing operation according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, first, in step S1,
It is determined whether one column ahead of the current printer head position is a print area. This determination is made by the control unit 12 shown in FIG.
Do. The information is based on the printer head position information received from the printer head position detector 17. This monitoring is continued, and if the determination in step S1 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2, where the print data one column ahead of the current printer head position is transferred from the print data processing unit 13 to the processed print data first storage unit 18 Control to transfer to.

Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the A group nozzle of the printer head has reached the printing position. That is, it is determined whether the nozzle is going to cross the corresponding column. When the nozzle comes over the column, the process proceeds to step S4, and the data in the processed print data first storage unit is replaced with the processed print data second storage unit 19.
Transfer to Next, in step S5, the head drive voltage output unit 21 drives the A group nozzle.

Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether the printer head position has advanced by L. If it has advanced by L, the process proceeds to step S7 to drive the B group nozzle. Next, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether or not the printer head position has advanced by L again.
Then, the process proceeds to step S9 to drive the C group nozzle. The printing operation of the specific example 1 is performed by repeating such processing for one line in the main scanning direction.

<Effect of Specific Example 1> According to the above-described print control, the print heads are arranged at predetermined intervals on a line having a predetermined inclination when viewed in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing surface. Using a plurality of nozzle groups, dots can be printed at a high density on the same column. Note that the line having the predetermined inclination at which the nozzle groups are arranged is not necessarily a straight line. That is, it may be an appropriate curve. The timing of the print control operation may be adjusted according to the shape of the line.

Further, the example of three nozzle groups is shown. This is because, by driving three nozzle groups alternately, it is possible to perform efficient control without affecting the movement of the piezo wall. . Also, there is an effect that the structure of the head can be relatively simplified. Therefore, it can be said that a head in which several nozzle groups are arranged in the sub-scanning direction with three nozzle groups as one group is an optimal embodiment. However, the same control is possible even if the number of nozzles is increased or decreased.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a print head according to Embodiment 2. The configuration of the print head 1 shown on the right side of this drawing is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition,
Here, the distance between the first nozzle N1 and the second nozzle N2 when viewed in the main scanning direction is set to 2L. This L and L in the specific example 1 are not necessarily the same. That is, specific example 1
May be 2L in the specific example 2. The reason for setting this to 2 L is that as shown in FIG.
This is to enable printing in the case of L. In the case of the specific example 1, if the nozzle interval is 2L, the column interval is 6L.
Print control. In this specific example 2, control is performed so that high-density printing can be performed such that the column interval is just half of that.

As shown on the left side of FIG.
The n-th column and the (n + 1) -th column are set so that the interval is 3L. As shown on the right side of the drawing, since the interval between the first nozzle N1 and the third nozzle N3 of the print head 1 is 4L, for example, when the first nozzle N1 reaches the n-th column and tries to cross it, , The third nozzle N3
Has not yet crossed the n-1st column. Accordingly, the timing at which the third nozzle N3 performs printing on the (n-1) th column is after the first nozzle N1 performs printing on the next column. Therefore, in order to perform such control, processing that is slightly different from that of the specific example 1 described later is performed.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a printing operation according to the second embodiment. The description format of the figure is the same as that of the specific example 1 described with reference to FIG. Here, the column interval for printing is 3L, and the interval between the nozzles N1, N2, N3 is 2L. Print head 1 is t
Each time the print head advances from the position 0 by L in the head advancing direction, one of the print nozzles is driven. Then, basically, one of the nozzles is connected to one of the columns n, n + 1, n + 2,
Each time it crosses n + 3, a dot is printed on the column at that point. This principle is the same as in the first embodiment.

First, consider the state at time t1 which is advanced by L in the head advancing direction from the position at time t0. At this time, the nozzle N1 crosses the (n + 1) th column. Therefore, the nozzle N1 is driven to print a dot on the (n + 1) th column. Next, when the print head moves by L in the head moving direction, the nozzle N3 crosses the n-th column immediately before the (n + 1) -th column. Then, the nozzle N3 is driven to print a dot on the n-th column.

Next, the head further advances by L in the head traveling direction,
At time t3, the nozzle N2 crosses the column n + 1. Therefore, the nozzle N2 is driven to print a dot on the (n + 1) th column. Further, L
At time t4, the nozzle N1 crosses the next (n + 2) th column. Then, the nozzle N1 is driven, and n +
Print a dot on the second column. Which nozzle is driven at which timing is shown below the column number in the figure.

Here, as shown on the right side of the figure, the data of (1) to (6) are printed in the n-th column, and n + 1
It is assumed that data of (7) to (12) is printed in the third column, and data of (13) to (18) is printed in the (n + 2) th column. 3 from the top
An example in which only dots are printed is shown, and dots in the lower half, that is, (4, 5, 6), (10, 11, 12), (16, 1)
The print control of dots of (7, 18) is not described. The control method is the same as the above three dots.

At time t1 in the figure, the nozzle N1 is driven, and the first dot of the (n + 1) th column, that is, the data of (7) is printed. At the next time t2, the nozzle N3 is driven, and the third dot from the top of the n-th column is printed. The data is (3). At the next time t3,
The nozzle N2 is driven, and data (8) is printed in the (n + 1) th column. At time t4, the nozzle N1 is driven, and the data of (13) is printed on the (n + 2) th column.

The supply order of the print data is shown below the display of the drive nozzles N1, N3, N2, N1, N3, N2,. That is, the print data is (7), (3),
(8), (13), (19), and (14) are supplied to each nozzle in this order, and printing is performed. By performing such print head driving and data supply control, high-density printing with a column interval of 3 L with respect to a nozzle pitch of 2 L in the head traveling direction becomes possible.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the operation of the printing start portion and the printing end portion when the above control is performed.
In the printing start portion, if the above control is performed as it is, dots will be printed in a portion on the right side of the rightmost column of the image. Therefore, special control is performed for the right end, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, at the time t1, printing is performed on the first column by the nozzle N1, and at the time t2, no nozzle performs printing.
Then, at time t3, printing is performed on the first column by the nozzle N2, and at time t4, the nozzle N1 is printed on the second column.
Printing is performed using. After that, by performing the same control as described with reference to FIG.
The printing can be executed as the third printing.

Next, immediately before the end of the main scanning, the nozzle N1 is driven at time t1, as shown in FIG.
Printing is performed on the last Z-th column. And time t2
Then, the nozzle N3 is driven to print a dot in the second to last column, that is, the (Z-1) th column. Next, at time t3, the nozzle N2 is driven to perform printing on the Z-th column, and at the next time t4, no nozzle is driven. Finally, when the nozzle N3 is driven at time t5 to perform printing on the Z-th column, the printing operation is completed. In this way, special control may be performed in the first and last parts.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a print control method according to the second embodiment. With reference to this figure, the data flow will be described in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the print head 1 has a nozzle group 5-1 and 5-2 in which one set includes three nozzles N1, N2, and N3.
Are provided. Although the number of nozzle groups is arbitrary, the operations are the same in each case, and thus only two groups are displayed here. On the left side of the figure, the contents of data to be printed in the n-th column are (1) to (6), and the contents of data to be printed in the (n-1) -th column are (7) to (12). Displayed as follows. This procedure is exactly the same as that shown in FIG.

Here, a case is considered where the print head 1 is in a state from time t0 to time t1 in FIG. 13, for example. At this time, as shown in the lower part of the figure, data for driving each nozzle is supplied with data of (7) to the nozzle N1, (8) to the nozzle N2, and (3) to the nozzle N3. .
That is, the data of the (n + 1) th column is supplied to the A group and the B group. On the other hand, the data of the immediately preceding n-th column is supplied to the C group. For this purpose, when two buffer memories for supplying data for one column are prepared, data is selected from the current buffer data α and the previous buffer data β as shown by arrows in FIG. Will be supplied to

FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment. In the control of the specific example 2, the control shown in FIG.
Can be implemented by a print control device having the same configuration as the device shown in FIG. Such control is performed by the print data processing unit 13 shown in FIG. In the print data storage buffer 11 shown in FIG. 10, not only the print data of the print area but also empty data for preventing the head from being driven is stored at least one column before and after one set of print data. deep. This is for the control at the start and end of main scanning described in FIG. Also, the column of empty data added at the end of the print data is regarded as a print area.

First, the control section 12 reads the printer head position from the printer head position detection section 17 (step S1). If the position or one column ahead of the position is within the print area in the print data storage buffer 11, the control unit 12 instructs the DMA unit 14 one column ahead of the printer head position at that time (hereinafter, the first position). transfer of the print data (abbreviated as (n + 1) th column) is started (step S).
2) After the transfer is completed, the print data of the column at the current printer head position (hereinafter abbreviated as n-th column) is started (step S3).

FIG. 17 shows a specific flowchart of step S3. In step S11, the transfer number counter is initialized. The transferred print data of the (n + 1) th column is stored in the print data processing unit 13, and is synthesized when the print data of the nth column is transferred (step S12). That is, the print data of the A and B group nozzles are combined so that the print data of the (n + 1) th column and the print data of the C group nozzle are the data of the nth column, and the combined print data is sequentially processed. 1 to the storage unit 18 (step S13 to step S13).
17).

Thereafter, returning to FIG. 16, the position of the printer head is monitored (step S4). When the printer head position comes to the next column, the printer head position detector 17
Outputs a latch pulse, and the data in the processed print data first storage unit 18 is transferred to and stored in the processed print data second storage unit 19 (step S5). At the same time, the printer head position detecting section 17 sends a pulse for switching the driving nozzles of the printer head to the driving nozzle group specifying section 20, and the driving nozzle group specifying section 20 firstly drives the nozzles of the A group to drive the nozzles of the A group. The drive voltage output unit is controlled (Step S6).

The head drive voltage output unit 21 is configured such that, within the drive nozzle group designated by the drive nozzle group designation unit 20, each electrode of a nozzle which designates to eject ink based on data in the processed print data second storage unit 19. A voltage is applied to the connection terminal, and 0 V is applied to the other electrode connection terminals. Then, when the position of the printer head 22 further advances by L, the printer head position detection unit 17 sends a pulse to the drive nozzle group designation unit 20 (Step S).
7). The drive nozzle group designation unit 20 designates the C group nozzle, and the head drive voltage output unit 21 causes the nozzles of the C group of the printer head 22 to eject ink to print the nth column (step S8). Further, when the position of the printer head 22 has advanced by L, the driving nozzle group designation unit 20 designates the nozzles of the B group (step S9).

The head drive voltage output section 21 ejects ink from the nozzles of the group B of the printer head 22, and prints the (n + 1) th column. With this, 2 in the (n + 1) th column
// 3 and printing of 1/3 of the n-th column are completed. Subsequently, when the printer head position advances by L, the printing of the (n + 2) th and (n + 1) th columns is performed as described above. Thus, printing of the (n + 1) th column is completed.

In the above example, the printing order when the printer head advances to the left is shown. However, when the printer head advances to the right, the column of the C group nozzles is renewed with the printer head reference. n + 1 column C group,
Printing is performed in the order of the nth column A group and the (n + 1) th column B group nozzle.

<Effects of Specific Example 2> As described above, according to the present specific example, printing can be performed with a smaller column interval than that of the specific example 1 by changing the order of ink ejection and the printing columns.

<Detailed Circuit Example and Operation Example> In this specific example, an example in which the circuit scale at the time of the above-described print control is reduced will be described with reference to detailed circuit examples and flowcharts of specific examples 1 and 2. I do. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a modified example of the print control unit. The CPU 31 operates to monitor the printhead position based on the output of the printhead position detection unit 32 and issue a transfer data range setting and transfer start command to the RAM control unit 33 at a predetermined timing. In addition, the print data selection unit 36 is controlled to set a column to be selected for each pixel group described later. RA
After receiving the transfer start command from the CPU 31, the M control unit 33, when the recording data reception buffer unit 35 is in the reception standby state, transfers the recording data in the range designated by the CPU 31.
This part has a function of transferring data from the RAM 34 to the recording data receiving buffer unit 35. The RAM control unit 33 also transfers the number of the head that records the recording data to the recording data reception buffer unit 35.

The RAM 34 is a memory for storing recording data. The recording data reception buffer unit 35 has a recording data reception buffer inside. The recording data receiving buffer unit 35 is configured to transmit new recording data when
This is a part for transmitting a selection start command to the recording data selection unit 36. If the reception buffer is full, the reception state is set to the reception disabled state. After that, when the transfer completion notification of the recording data in the reception buffer is received from the recording data transfer unit 37,
It returns to the next reception standby state.

After receiving the selection start command from the print data reception buffer unit 35, the print data selection unit 36
The print data is extracted from the print data reception buffer unit 35 based on the column information selected for each pixel group set from 1 and the print data and the transfer start command are transmitted to the print data transfer unit 37. afterwards,
When the transfer to the recording data transfer unit 37 is completed, the next recording data is selected.

The print data transfer section 37 is a section which starts transfer of print data to the print head driver 38 upon receiving a transfer start command. Each time one pixel of print data is transferred, the status is notified to the print data selection unit 36,
When half the recording data transfer of the reception buffer in the recording data reception buffer unit 35 is received, the state is transmitted to the recording data reception buffer unit 35.

The recording head position detector 32 detects the positions of the recording heads 39-1, 39-2, 39-3. The print head driver 38 has a function of outputting a drive voltage to the print head based on print data received from the print data transfer unit 37. Recording head 3
9-1, 39-2, and 39-3 are recording head drivers 3
This portion is driven by the voltage output from 8 and has a function of printing on a print medium.

<Detailed Operation Example of Specific Example 1> FIG. 19 shows a control operation flowchart of a modification of the specific example 1. The description of the data transfer operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG. CPU3
1 reads the positions of a plurality of recording heads from the recording head position detector 32 (Step S1). Here, m is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and 3m + 1.3m +
The 2nd, 3m + 3rd nozzles are referred to as A, B, and C group nozzles, respectively. Thereafter, the parameters are initialized (steps S2 and S3).

When the nozzles of the group A of any of the recording heads enter the printing position, the CPU 31 sends to the RAM control section 33 the current position of the recording head at the printing position in the recording data stored in the RAM 34. The range of the print data located two columns ahead is set. And RA
The transfer start command is transmitted to the M control unit 33 (step S4). The print area is extended by two columns before and after the print area for one line to be actually printed. The print data of the extension column is data for which the printhead does not perform printing. This is for performing the control described with reference to FIG.

The recording data receiving buffer unit 35 has a RAM
Receiving the recording data transferred from. The print data reception buffer unit 35 has a data reception buffer for two print heads for all print heads of the printing apparatus.
Further, the recording data receiving buffer unit 35 includes the RAM control unit 3
3 receives a selected head number designating which print head the print data is transferred to, and stores the print data in a buffer corresponding to that number (step S).
5, step S6).

(1) to (12) of FIG. 9 show the range of the recording data to be transferred on the image buffer. This is the order in which the print data is transferred from the RAM 34 to the print data receiving buffer 35 using the RAM control unit 33. The print data of the column n is transferred to the buffer data β when the A group nozzle of the print head is immediately before the (n-1) th column in FIG. 9 (step S6). Immediately before the column n + 1 recording data transfer starts, the data in the buffer data β is copied to the buffer data α. The column n print data is transferred to the buffer data β when the group A nozzle of the print head is between columns n and n−1.

Immediately before the transfer of the column n recording data starts, the column n + 1 recording data in the buffer data β is copied to the buffer data α. The range of print data to be transferred to the column print head is a scale for driving one print head. The print data is sequentially transferred from the top to the bottom of the print data column for one print head. Also, C
The PU 31 sets a column to be recorded on the recording medium for each pixel group of the recording data in the recording data selection unit 36 during one recording cycle of the recording head (Steps S7 to S10). At this time, of the recording data stored in the recording data reception buffer unit 35,
Which of the columns is to be recorded using the recording data is determined.

The pixel group refers to a group obtained by dividing the recording data into a plurality of groups. A number is sequentially assigned to each recording pixel from the top of one column, and n is an integer of 0 or more, and the 3n + 1, 3n + 2, and 3n + 3 pixels are divided into A, B, and C group pixels, respectively. The AB group pixel indicates the column A and the C group pixel indicates the print data sent to the print data transfer unit when the column B is selected.

After receiving the transmission start command from the CPU 31, the RAM control unit 33 transfers the recording data to the recording data reception buffer unit 35. The recorded data is C
This is the data in the “recorded data transmission range in the RAM 34” preset from the PU 31. The transfer is performed when the reception state signal of the recording data reception buffer unit 35 indicates the reception standby state. The reception state includes two states of reception standby and reception impossible.

The RAM 34 stores the recording data. The print data receiving buffer unit 35 receives the print data transferred from the RAM control unit 33 for one print head for each print head. After that, the reception status signal to be sent to the RAM control unit 33 is set to a reception disabled state, and a selection start command is transmitted to the recording data selection unit 36. Next, when a transfer end signal is received from the recording data transfer unit 36, the reception state signal is set to a reception standby state.

The recording data selection unit 36 receives a selection start command from the recording data reception buffer unit 35. Then, C
The recording cycle 1 of the recording head preset from the PU 31
At the time, the next data or the like is transmitted to the recording medium. Transmission data and the like are set for each recording pixel group. 2 in the recording data reception buffer unit 35
The storage data for one pixel selected from the print data for the print head and the transfer start command are transmitted to the print data transfer unit 37. This is performed when the transfer state signal output from the recording data transfer unit 37 indicates the transfer standby state.

The contents of the transfer state signal include two states, a transfer standby state and a transfer in progress state. After the transmission start command is transmitted, when the transfer state signal is again in the transfer standby state, the recording data of the next pixel and the transmission start instruction are transmitted to the recording data transfer unit 37 in the order shown in FIG. I do.

The recording data transfer unit 37 receives the transfer start command from the recording data selection unit 6 and
The print data for one pixel output from 6 is transferred to the print head driver 38 of the selected head number. At the same time as the start of the transfer, the transfer state signal output to the recording data selection unit 36 is set to the transfer state. At the same time as the completion of the transfer, the transfer state signal is set to the transfer standby state, and the value of the transfer pixel number counter is increased by one. When the value of the transfer pixel number counter becomes equal to the number of pixels for one printhead, the print data transfer unit 37 indicates that the print data transfer for the one printhead has been completed. Send to

The print head driver 38 outputs a drive voltage to the print head based on the print data received from the processed print data transfer section 37. The recording head 39 is driven by a voltage output from a recording head driver and prints on a print medium.

<Detailed Operation Example of Embodiment 2> FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the control operation of Embodiment 2. This operation also refers to FIG. The CPU 31 reads the positions of a plurality of recording heads from the recording head position detection unit 32. Here, m is an integer equal to or greater than 0, and the 3m + 1, 3m + 2, and 3m + 3 nozzles of the recording head are A, B, and C group nozzles, respectively. When the A group nozzle of any recording head enters the printing position,
The CPU 31 transmits a transfer start command to the RAM control unit 33 (step S1). Note that, in the print data stored in the RAM 34 in advance, the range of the print data located two columns ahead and one column ahead of the current position of the print head at the print position is set. The print area is extended by two columns before and after the print area for one line to be actually printed. The print data of the extension column is data for which the printhead does not perform printing. Step S2 and step S3
Is a parameter initialization process.

The recording data receiving buffer unit 35 is a RAM
Receiving the recording data transferred from. The recording data reception buffer unit 35 has two data reception buffers less than one recording head. In this example, the number of nozzles for one recording head is six.

(1) to (12) shown in FIG.
This is the order in which the print data is transferred from the RAM 34 to the print data receiving buffer 35 using the control unit 33. When the A group nozzle of the print head is between columns n-1 and n-2, the RAM control unit 33 divides and transfers print data as follows. That is, instead of transferring one print head at a time for each column, the print data is divided into a plurality of times and print data of different columns is transferred alternately. 1. The (1) (2) (3) data in column A is transferred to the buffer group α. 2. Transfer the (4) (5) (6) data in column B to buffer group β. 3. The (7), (8), and (9) data in column A are transferred to the buffer group α. 4. The (10), (11), and (12) data in column B are transferred to the buffer group β.

The reception buffer is not used for each of a plurality of heads but is used for a plurality of heads. The recording data is 1
The print data for the print head is sequentially transferred from the top to the bottom of the column. The CPU 31 also controls the recording data selection unit 3
In 6, the column to be recorded on the recording medium is set for each pixel group of the recording data during one recording cycle of the recording head (step S4). At this time,
It is set which of the columns of the recording data stored in the recording data reception buffer unit 35 to use for recording. The pixel group refers to the recording data divided into a plurality of groups.

Each recording pixel is sequentially numbered from the top of one column, and n is an integer of 0 or more.
The (n + 2) th and (3n + 3) th pixels are divided into A, B, and C group pixels, respectively. The pixels in the AB group indicate the column A, and the pixels in the C group indicate the print data sent to the print data transfer unit when the column B is selected. The recording data receiving buffer unit 35 sends the recording data transferred from the RAM control unit 33 to the recording data selection unit 36. After receiving the reception buffer, R
The reception status signal to be sent to the AM control unit 33 is set to a reception disabled state, and a selection start command is transmitted to the recording data selection unit 36.
Thereafter, when a transfer end signal is received from the recording data transfer unit 37, the reception state signal is set to a reception standby state.

After receiving the transmission start command from the CPU 31, the RAM control unit 33 transfers the recording data in the “recording data transmission range in the RAM 34” preset from the CPU 31 to the recording data reception buffer unit 35. (Steps S5 to S7). This is performed when the reception state signal of the recording data reception buffer unit 35 indicates the reception standby state. The reception state includes two states: reception standby and reception disabled.

The RAM 34 stores the recording data. The recording data receiving buffer unit 35 includes the RAM control unit 3
The recording data transferred from the recording data selecting unit 3
Send to 6. After receiving the buffer groups αβ, the reception status signal to be sent to the RAM control unit 33 is set to the reception disabled state, and a selection start command is transmitted to the recording data selection unit 36 (step S8). Thereafter, the recording data transfer unit 37
When the transfer end signal is received from the CPU, the reception state signal is set to the reception standby state.

After receiving the selection start command from the print data reception buffer unit 35, the print data selection unit 36
The column to be recorded on the recording medium from 1 is notified to the recording data transfer unit 37 based on the value set for each recording pixel group. This notification is made during one recording cycle of the recording head. At the same time, FIG.
Is transmitted from the print data for two print heads in the print data reception buffer unit 35 shown in (1) and the storage data for one pixel selected from the print data (step S).
9). The transmission to the recording data transfer unit 37 is performed when the transfer state signal output from the recording data transfer unit 37 indicates the transfer standby state. The state of the transfer state signal includes two states, a transfer standby state and a transfer in progress state. After the transmission start command is transmitted, when the transfer state signal is again in the transfer standby state, the recording data of the next pixel and the transmission start instruction are transmitted in the order shown in FIG.
Send to

Upon receiving a transfer start command from the print data selection unit 36, the print data transfer unit 37 transfers the print data for one pixel output from the print data selection unit 36 to the print data transfer unit 37.
The selected head number is transferred to the recording head driver 38.
At the same time as the start of the transfer, the transfer state signal output to the recording data selection unit 30 is set to the transfer state. At the same time as the completion of the transfer, the transfer state signal is set to the transfer standby state, and the value of the transfer pixel number counter is increased by one.

When the value of the transfer pixel number counter becomes equal to the number of pixels for the buffer group α of the print data receiving buffer section 35, the print data transfer section 37 is in a state where the transfer of print data for the inside of the receive buffer is completed. This is transmitted to the recording data reception buffer unit 35. The recording head driver 38 outputs a driving voltage to the recording head based on the recording data received from the processing recording data transfer unit 37. The recording head 39 is driven by a voltage output from a recording head driver and prints on a print medium.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, by changing the transfer order of the print data located on the two columns of the print medium to the print data receiving unit, the number of print elements not used simultaneously can be reduced. The circuit scale can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a print head according to a specific example 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print head.

FIG. 3 is a JJ cross-sectional view of the print head.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view (part 1) taken along line KK of the print head.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view (part 2) taken along the line KK of the print head.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the print head.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a print head.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the print head according to the first specific example.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a print control method according to a specific example 1.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a print control unit.

FIG. 11 is a print control flowchart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a print head according to a specific example 2.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a printing operation according to a specific example 2.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a printing operation at a start point and an end point.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a print control method according to a specific example 2.

FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart (part 1) of a specific example 2;

FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart (part 2) of the specific example 2;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a modification of the print control unit.

FIG. 19 is a control operation flowchart of a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a control operation flowchart of a modification of the specific example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 print head 2 ink pressurizing chamber 3 piezo wall N1, N2, N3 nozzle

Claims (6)

[Claims] A plurality of nozzle groups arranged at predetermined intervals on a line having a predetermined inclination in a main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction on a printing surface; When setting a column group arranged in parallel at an arbitrary interval when viewed in the main scanning direction, each nozzle moves in the main scanning direction, and each time it crosses any column, a dot is formed at the passing point. A printer, comprising: a print control unit that controls so as to print. 2. A plurality of nozzle groups arranged at predetermined intervals on a line having a predetermined inclination when viewed in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction on the printing surface; A column group arranged in parallel at an arbitrary interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is set, and each of the nozzles moves in the main scanning direction, and each time it crosses any column, a dot is formed at its passing point. And a dot group is printed by the nozzle group at a predetermined interval along each of the columns. 3. On the printing surface, the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is arranged to be L, and the interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at a dot pitch M to be printed, A set of three nozzles arranged in one line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination both in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction integrally advances in the main scanning direction. When printing dots on a column group arranged in parallel so that the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3 L on the printing surface, the leading position of the nozzle group in the advancing direction when the dots are printed. Nozzles in order from the first nozzle to the second nozzle.
Each time the nozzle group moves in the main scanning direction while passing through the same column in the order of the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle, the only nozzle on the column A printing control method comprising: driving a nozzle to print a dot row on each column at an interval M along the column. 4. On a printing surface, the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is arranged so as to be 2L, and the interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at a pitch M of dots to be printed.
A set of three nozzle groups arranged in a line on a straight line having a predetermined inclination both in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction,
When integrally printing in the main scanning direction and printing dots on a column group arranged in parallel so that an interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3 L on the printing surface, The nozzles of the nozzle group are sequentially assigned to the first nozzle, the second nozzle,
When the nozzle group is called a third nozzle, the first nozzle is driven when the first nozzle crosses an arbitrary column at a predetermined timing while the nozzle group advances in the main scanning direction, and the first nozzle is driven at the next timing. When the third nozzle crosses the column immediately before the arbitrary column, the third nozzle is driven. When the second nozzle crosses the arbitrary column at the next timing, the second nozzle is driven. When the first nozzle crosses a column immediately after the arbitrary column at the timing of the above, each nozzle is driven in the order of driving the first nozzle, and a dot is formed on each column along the column at an interval M. A printing control method characterized by printing a column. 5. The printing apparatus is arranged such that an interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is L, and an interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at a dot pitch to be printed. A print head is provided in which a plurality of nozzle groups, each of which is arranged in a row on a straight line having a predetermined inclination when viewed in the scanning direction and also in the sub-scanning direction, are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. On the printing surface, a column group arranged in parallel so that an interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3L is set, and a nozzle at a leading position in the traveling direction of the plurality of nozzle groups is set. When the nozzles are referred to as a first nozzle group, a second nozzle group, and a third nozzle group, respectively, in order, the print data for one column is supplied to the print head in the arrangement order of the nozzles viewed in the sub-scanning direction. While the nozzle group advances in the main scanning direction, A printing control unit for driving a nozzle group on a column each time the same column is traversed in the order of the first nozzle group, the second nozzle group, and the third nozzle group. 6. An arrangement is made such that the interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 2L on the printing surface, and the interval when viewed in the sub-scanning direction is arranged at the pitch of dots to be printed. A print head is provided in which a plurality of nozzle groups, each of which is arranged in a row on a straight line having a predetermined inclination when viewed in the scanning direction and also in the sub-scanning direction, are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. On the printing surface, a column group arranged in parallel so that an interval when viewed in the main scanning direction is 3L is set, and a nozzle at a head position of the plurality of nozzle groups in a traveling direction is set. When the nozzles are referred to as a first nozzle group, a second nozzle group, and a third nozzle group, respectively, the print data of an arbitrary column is supplied to the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group. In the nozzle group,
When the first nozzle traverses an arbitrary column at a predetermined timing while supplying the print data at a corresponding position of the column immediately before the arbitrary column, while the nozzle group advances in the main scanning direction. The first nozzle is driven, and when the third nozzle crosses the column immediately before the arbitrary column at the next timing, the third nozzle is driven. At the next timing, the arbitrary nozzle is driven by the second nozzle. A print control unit that drives the second nozzle when the first nozzle is driven, and drives the second nozzle when the first nozzle is driven across the column immediately after the arbitrary column at the next timing. A printer comprising: