JPS5919162A - Pattern-forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control the gradation level of a pattern and form a toned pattern, by controlling the size of pattern elements constituting a pattern. CONSTITUTION:Video signals from R, G, B are inputted into sample-and-hold circuits SHR, SHG, SHB, and a synchronizing signal SYNC is inputted into a system controller to sample and hold the video signals. Outputs of respective color video signals are stored in line memories MR, MG, MB. This information is subjected to a masking treatment and a ground color removing treatment by a matrix circuit MX, and respective signals of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black BL are outputted. The thus outputted signals are stored in latch memories MC, MM, MY, MBL and are inputted into head-controlling matrix circuits MXC and the like. These signals are converted into code signals, which are converted into analog voltages, which are inputted into head drivers AMP1- 8, and the recording heads are driven by a timing signal TP to control the quantity of ejected ink droplets.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pattern forming method, and more particularly to a pattern forming method using voltage, which controls the gradation level of a pattern by controlling the size of a pattern trace that is the basis of pattern formation. be.

Furthermore, the pattern referred to here refers to not only image expression, but also
It also includes expressions such as characters, figures, graphs, etc. Also,
The term "pattern trace" as used herein refers to a formation trace of the smallest unit constituting a pattern, for example, a trace formed by a recording drum (Ic) on a recording medium in dot recording. Incidentally, in image formation, when one pixel is formed using one pattern trace, the pattern trace and pixel match, but when one pixel is formed using multiple pattern traces, In this case, the pattern trace and the pixel must be understood as different things.

Now, for example, an ink jet method is used to form a record of a pattern such as an image by ejecting and flying colored ink droplets to form ink dots on a recording medium (for example, paper, plastics, ceramics, etc.). In dot recording, it has already been proposed to perform recording by varying the size (for example, dot diameter) of the colored ink dots on the recording medium in order to achieve the 13th tonality (l'JJ). has been done. In particular, in the ink jet recording method using piezo elements, the applied voltage to the piezo elements,
This makes it relatively easy to correspond to the size of the diameter of the ink dot on the recording medium to be controlled, and therefore the gradation level can be easily controlled by controlling the dot diameter with a relatively simple control circuit. It is something.

By the way, when trying to control the gradation level of a pattern by controlling the diameter of the ink dot, that is, the size of the background trace, the gradation level of the pattern changes as the size of the pattern trace changes. When examining changes (for example, changes in the average optical reflection density of the formed pattern part), we find that there are areas where the gradation level changes relatively thickly and areas where the gradation level changes significantly in response to changes in the size of the pattern trace. It can be seen that there are areas where this is not the case.

That is, this is now expressed as optical reflection density Do (reflectance ao=1
By using a colored dot having an optical reflection density Dd (reflectance ad = 10''d) on a material (recording medium such as paper) of 0-D0) and changing its diameter d, the dot is formed by the dot. per unit area of pattern part (1 m
When changing the average optical reflection density D (curvature vs. weight a = 10 > is called the PEL number) n
To analyze the relationship, first, assuming that the dots are uniformly arranged on the above material at a pitch T (= -), then the reflectance a per unit area of the pattern part is as follows. Become. Therefore, the average optical reflection density in this case is as follows. For example, a material with optical reflection density Do=Q, l (
When a pattern is formed using colored dots with an optical reflection density Dd = 1.0 on a white paper, etc., the average optical reflection per unit area of the pattern portion is as shown in the figure. It will look like curve I in Figure 1. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents the duty ratio d/T in one-dimensional direction of the dot, and the vertical axis represents the average optical reflection density. Further, in FIG. 1, curves ``■'' and ``■'' indicate the case where the optical reflection densities of the dots were set to 1.4 and 0.6, respectively.

Here, when the diameter d of the dots becomes large and exceeds the pitch T, that is, when the duty ratio d/T exceeds 1.0, adjacent dots overlap each other, so the average optical reflection density changes with respect to the change in the dot diameter d. gradually begins to become saturated, and calculationally it becomes completely saturated when d=Igo. Incidentally, curve I in Figure 1, ■
For and ■, the optical reflection density of the dot Dd=1.0,
1.4, o, and 6 are colored inks with a dye or pigment content of 2.0%, 4,5, and 0.5, respectively.
% (all percentages by weight) of ink.

Figure 1 shows the coloring degree (D) of different optical reflection densities (Dd) with a constant dot pitch T (i.e. PEL number).
Similarly, the above equation (2
), the optical reflection density (Dd) of the colored dots is kept constant and the average optical reflection of the formed pattern is calculated for changes in the dot duty ratio (d/I') for each of different dot pitches (η). The change in concentration υ) is shown in Figure 2.

Curve 1 in the same figure. It and ■ are the average optical reflections of the pattern with respect to changes in the dot diameter (d) when the dot optical reflection density (1) d) is 1.0 and the dot pinch (r) is respectively (4PEL). It shows how the density (D) changes.

Note that the curve in Figure 1.2 is obtained by calculating the inclination using the above formula (2), but the method for measuring the real division is as follows:
The 5U reflection density of a pattern-forming body (for example, the above-mentioned ink) can be obtained by, for example, applying a uniform trap pattern-forming body to a 10 mm square area and measuring it with a commercially available densitometer. Yes, also
The average optical reflection density of the pattern portion is obtained by measuring, for example, a pattern portion formed by arranging pattern traces in a 10 mm square area using a densitometer. Actually, in any case, the reference value for measurement may be determined in advance using standard white paper or the like with a reflection density of about 0.1.

Now, as can be understood from the fl[ curves shown in Figure 1.2, by changing the dot diameter, that is, the size of the pattern trace, the gradation level (average optical reflection density) of the formed pattern can be adjusted. When trying to obtain changes in the pattern gradation level, the changes in the gradation level of the pattern in response to changes in the size of the pattern trace are not uniform, especially in areas where the size of the pattern trace is small and areas where the size of the pattern trace is small. It can be seen that the gradation level of the pattern does not change much as the size of the trace changes.

As can be understood from the figure, this phenomenon is observed regardless of the optical reflection density (coloring density) K of the pattern trace itself or the arrangement pitch of the pattern trace. In this way, areas where the change in the gradation level of the pattern is small relative to the change in the size of one pattern trace are extremely inefficient areas when trying to obtain a predetermined change in the gradation level.For example, In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention improves the gradation level of the pattern by controlling the thickness of the blank trace, which is the basis for forming a rough turn. As a pattern forming method that performs control, it is possible to perform very efficient and effective control of the gradation level of the pattern, and as a result, a more faithful gradation level 1. ! The purpose of this method is to provide a useful pattern forming method that can reproduce the image quality and perform image design with less waste, for example, in image design. In the pattern forming method described above, the gradation is controlled by exclusively using the region of change in the size of the pattern trace corresponding to the region where the change in the gradation level is relatively large with respect to the change in the size of the pattern. The problem lies in the fact that a certain pattern is formed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to toothed drawings. Although the embodiments shown below are examples in which the present invention is applied to ink jet recording, the present invention can be broadly applied to so-called dot recording, and therefore the present invention can be applied to the ink jet recording as shown below.・It goes without saying that it is not limited to jet records only.
Therefore, it can be widely applied to various types of dot recording in which recording is performed by forming dots, such as thermal recording, thermal transfer recording, wire dot recording, and electrostatic recording.

Now, first of all, referring to Fig. 1, curve l in Fig. 5 is obtained by using an ink (dye or pigment content: 2.0% by weight) whose optical reflection density (coloring density) is 1.0. This figure shows the change in the average optical reflection density of the dot with respect to the change in the duty ratio of the dot σ when forming the dot. In the region where σ is about 0.3 or less and about 1.35 or more, the change in the average reflection density is very small. Similarly, the curve [
Even if the dot duty ratio is about 0.6 or less and about 1.37 or more, the change in the average reflection density of the pattern is very small. Furthermore, ink with the same pressure and reflection density of 0.6 (dye or pigment content, quintuple %)
Regarding the curve I11 when using the dot duty ratio, the change in the average reflection density of the pattern is very small in the region where the dot duty ratio is about 0.6 or less and about 1.25 or more. Based on this fact, according to the present invention, the dot size change range is within a range of about 0.3 to about 1.25 (preferably about 0.75 to about 1.2 σ), more preferably about 0
．． 88 to about 1.1), and for ink with a reflection density of 1.4, the dot duty ratio is about 0.6 to about 1.1.
37 (preferably within the range of about 0.85 to about 1.37, more preferably within the range of about 0.91 to about 1.37), and for ink with a reflection density of 0.6, the dot Use a duty ratio in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.25 (preferably in the range of about 0.4 to about 1.11, more preferably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0) should be proposed. For example, when designing an image using two types of ink, a high density ink with a reflection density of 1.4 and a low density ink with a reflection density of 0.6, the average reflection density of the pattern is approximately 0.
．． 51 is the switching point, the dot duty ratio ranges from about 066 to about 1.11 for low-density ink, and the dot duty ratio ranges from about 0.91 to about 1.37 for high-density ink. By using each area and connecting these at the average reflection density of the pattern, it is possible to almost continuously cover the range of about 0.12 to about 1.38 as the average reflection density of the pattern. When using two types of ink and a medium-density ink with a reflection density of 0.6 for a total of three types of ink, set the switching point at approximately 0.43 and approximately 0.75 of the average reflection density of the pattern. For low density ink, the dot duty ratio ranges from about 0.13 to about 1.0, for medium density ink, the dot duty ratio ranges from about 0.88 to about 1.1, and for high density ink, the dot duty ratio ranges from about 0.88 to about 1.1. Regarding the density ink, the dot duty ratio ranges from about 1.03 to about 1.37, and these areas are connected at the average reflection density of the pattern. 1
．． This makes it possible to almost continuously cover a range of 38, and it becomes possible to reproduce image film properties under simpler control.

(5P B)
L)s 3μm (6PEL) and 250Pm
This figure shows the change in the average optical reflection density of the pattern with respect to the change in the dot diameter (diameter - hereafter, the same) when dots are formed as C4PEL'), but as can be understood from the figure. , dot pitch 200μ
In the case of m (curve ■), the average diameter of the i pattern is approximately 50 μm in the area where the dot diameter is approximately 60 μm or less and approximately 270 μm or more.
The change in the average reflection density of the pattern is very small in the regions of less than m and more than about 260 μm. Furthermore, in the same way, dot
Even when the pitch is 250 μm (curve ■), the dot diameter is approximately 8
In the region of 0 μm or less and about 340 μm or more, the change in the average reflection density of the pattern is very small. From this fact,
According to the present invention, when an ink with a reflection density of 1.0 is used and the dot pitch is 200 μm, the dot diameter is in the range of about 0.66 to about 270 μm (preferably about 1.0 μm).
Within the range of 50 μm to about 245 μm, more preferably about 1
In the case of a dot pitch of 250 μm, the dot diameter range is from about 0.66 μm to about 340 μm (preferably in the region of about 260 μm to 300 μm). It is proposed to use a range of about 0.066 μm to about 270 μm, more preferably within a range of about 0.066 μm to about 270 μm.

Next, in view of the above, a specific example of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below.

First, referring to FIG. 3, this figure shows an ink jet method as a means for obtaining flying dots of the above-mentioned ink.
This shows the head. In the figure, 1 has a thin tip (
2 is a piezoelectric vibrator circumscribing the glass tube 1. 6 is a tubular piezo element, 4 and 5 are electrodes, and by applying a pulsed voltage between the electrodes 4 and 5, the glass tube 1 contracts and recovers in the inner diameter direction.

At this time, by supplying ink from the direction of arrow B, ink droplets can be ejected from the orifice S1a at the narrowed end of the υ1 glass tube 1. Also, depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to this piezo element 3, it is possible to change the size of the ejected ink droplet, and in our experiments, the ink droplet diameter was approximately three times the width. I was able to make it variable. However, a change of about 3 times in diameter is about 9 times in area ratio, which is unsatisfactory for gradation reproduction for the purpose of image expression, for example.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, an ink jet head unit 10 was constructed using two heads of 6.7 mm and equipped with ink tanks 8 and 9 each containing ink of different density.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the main parts of the printer equipped with the head unit 10 shown in FIG. This is a motor that scans the bed carriage 14 with a guide 15 and a screw 16.

Pitch 2 using t, rl, sm inkjet equipment
By forming dots at 00/'m (5P hi IJ), the characteristics shown in FIG. 6 could be obtained.

In FIG. 6, the vertical axis η11 indicates the average reflection density of the formed pattern, and the horizontal axis indicates the duty ratio of the dots. Here, the density of the ink used is 1.4 as a high density one (dye or pigment content 4.5 weight f1:
s>, 0.6 (dye or pigment content 0.5% by weight) was selected as a low concentration.

In view of what was described above with respect to FIG. 1, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the average reflection density of the pattern is about 0.
With point 51 as the switching point, the dot diameter change range is about 0.4 to about 1.11 with a dot duty ratio for low density ink, and about 0.4 to about 1.11 with a dot duty ratio for high density ink. By using a dot diameter changing region of 91 to about 1.25 and connecting both at a point where the average reflection density of the pattern is about 0.51, the average reflection density of the pattern is about 0.14 to about 0.14. This made it possible to cover a range of approximately 1.21 cm approximately continuously. In this way, for both high and low density inks, it is possible to improve υ efficiency by using a region where the average reflection density of the formed pattern changes relatively large with respect to changes in dot diameter, and which has relatively high linearity. Good and effective control of gradation has become possible, and it has become possible to reproduce gradation with high fidelity and to design images with less waste. Incidentally, in the example, the orifice diameters of the two heads 6.7 are both 5.
It was set to 0 μm.

Further, since the arrangement pitch of the dots was set to 200 μm, an example of a control circuit for realizing the example of the apparatus described above will be described below.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus shown in Figure 5 for printing color video signals.
This shows an example of a control circuit when applied to a printer that outputs data.
Each input to SHB is 1 and synchronous signal 5YNC.
is input to the system controller 5Y8CON.

The video signal is sampled and held according to the timing signal from this 8YSCON. The sample output of each color video signal is output through the signal changeover switch SW and VD converter A I) Line Memo! J.M.R., M.G.

Each is stored in the MB. Next, line memories MR, M
The information in G and MB is subjected to a masking process and an under color removal process by the matrix circuit MX, and is also processed into a cyan signal C, a magenta signal M, a yellow signal Y, and a black signal B.
Output L. Now, the output signals of C, M, Y, Bl are stored in latch memories MC, MM, MY, MBL, and further input to their output covers, head control matrix circuits MXC, MXM, MXY, MXBL. .

These matrix circuits convert the output signals of the latch memory into code signals indicating the head to be selected and the voltage value to be applied. This code signal is used by the VA converter DAC, D
It is input to AM, DAY, and DABI, and is converted into an analog voltage value. This voltage is applied to the head driver AMP
1 to AMP 8, and the head selected by the head selection signal H8 is driven by a desired timing signal TP to control the amount of ink ejected.

Fig. ft38 shows the internal details of the head control matrix circuit MXC for Hacian, and Fig. 9 shows, as an example, the head H1 that ejects cyan ink.
, H2 and the dot diameter. The matrix circuit MXC outputs a head selection signal HS according to the value of a digital signal indicating the cyan density, and a head selection signal HS in FIG.
A digital value of the voltage applied to each head determined from the characteristics of the head 1 is output.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the input digital value and the output code obtained from the matrix circuit of FIG. 8, the relationship between the code, the selection head, and the applied voltage, and the obtained reflection density. In FIG. 10, H1 indicates a head for low density ink, and H2 indicates a head for high density ink.

In this way, the voltage applied to the head for low-density ink is
0 to 98 V, and a head for high density ink (duty ratio of 0.4 to 1.1°, pattern average reflection density of 0.1
4 to 0.51), and a dot diameter of 180 μm to 250 μm (duty ratio of 0.9 to 1.25 degrees) and a pattern average reflection density of 0.51 to 1.21 with a high-density ink head. ) can be obtained. Furthermore, even if the input digital value is 00000n, small dots are formed using low-density ink, and white areas are prevented from occurring. Also, system controller 5YSCON
Signals from the motor are applied to the head motor HM9 and the paper feed motors 1 and F via the DIN, DR2, and the head and paper feeds are controlled respectively.

FIG. 11 shows details of the circuit of the head drive section of FIG. 7. Using FIG. 11 as an example of cyan signal processing, control of the ink jet head will be specifically explained. The 7-pit digital signal from the matrix circuit MXC shown in FIG.
Generate H. Further, the head selection signal outputted from the 7-trix circuit MMC is inputted to one input terminal of the head selection (i No. 11 S is AND GO) G3 and one input terminal of the same (AND GO) G2 through the 1-inverter q1. When the 1 signal HS is low level, head) l1 is selected, and when it is high level, head I (2 is selected.And goo) The other input of G2 and G6 Q K H Head drive Multiple pulses are input to the system controller 5YSCON. Now, when the signal HS is at low level, the head 14
1 drive will be explained. Since one input terminal of G2 is at a high level, when the head drive pulse becomes high level, the output of G2 is at a high level. Become.

Therefore, the transistor Tr3 is turned on, and the transistor Tr3 is turned on.
1 moon. Here, a voltage VH is applied to the head 11i via a resistor 6. As a result, the piezoelectric vibrator contracts in the direction of the inner diameter of the glass tube, and colored droplets are ejected. Ejection 1- of colored droplets is controlled by voltage VH.

Also, at this time, the transistor Tr2 is off because the output of the inverter G6 is at a low level. Next, when one pulse becomes low level, the transistor Tr
1 is turned off and Tr2 is turned on, the charge charged in the head H1 is discharged through the resistor R4, and the piezo element is restored to its original state. Ink droplet ejection is controlled in step 5 above.

Although only cyan ink has been described above, control circuits are similarly configured for magenta, yellow, and black.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform very efficient and effective gradation level control, and as a result, it is possible to reproduce gradation with high fidelity. For example, in image design, it will be possible to achieve many advantages such as being able to design images with very little waste. It is extremely useful.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 show the changes in the average reflection density of the formed pattern with respect to the change in the size of the pattern traces (dots) at different densities and different pitches of the pattern traces (dots). Duty ratio-average reflection density characteristic diagram and dot diameter-average reflection density characteristic diagram, Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet head, Figure 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the piezo vibrator, and M4 diagram is the ink-jet head. A configuration diagram of a jet head, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recording device to which the head shown in FIG. 4 is applied, and FIG. 6 is a dot duty ratio of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the device shown in FIG. An average reflection density characteristic diagram, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a color video printer to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 8 is a detailed internal circuit diagram of the head control matrix circuit MMC of FIG. 7, Fig. 9 shows the dot diameter of the cyan ink head. Fig. 10 shows the relationship between the input digital value of the matrix circuit MXC, the output code, the selected head, and the reflection density. Fig. 11 shows the head drive of Fig. 7. FIG. In the figure, 6, 7 and H1 to H8 are ink jet heads, 8.9 is an ink tank, 10 is a head unit, 11 is a platen, 12 and 13 are motors, MXC is a head control matrix circuit, and a DAC. is D/
A converters are shown respectively. Applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Procedural amendment (voluntary) Director of the Patent Office Kazuo Wakaaki 1. Indication of the case 1983 Patent Axis No. 128553 2. Method for forming the name pattern of the invention 3. Relationship with the person making the amendment Patent Applicant Location 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Name (+00) Canon Co., Ltd. Representative Ryu Kaku Sanbe 4, Agent Address Address 146 Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo (Telephone 758) -2111) 6. Drawings to be corrected 6. Correction contents Figures 8 and 10 of the drawings are corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a pattern forming method in which the gradation level of a pattern is controlled by fully controlling the size of the pattern trace, which is the basis for pattern formation, in a region where the change in the gradation level is relatively large with respect to the change in size. A method for forming a double turn, characterized in that a pattern with gradation is formed by exclusively using a region of change in size of the corresponding pattern trace.