TW202132127A - Method for controlling inkjet printing device and inkjet printing device capable of avoiding production loss by selecting nozzles that supplement non-discharge nozzles - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling an inkjet printing device includes: a first step of obtaining a first bit string from a print data holding memory; and a second step of obtaining a second bit string from a non-discharging nozzle holding memory. It further includes: a third step of generating a third bit string through the logical or of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string; and a fourth step of generating a fourth bit string from the logical and of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit. It also includes a fifth step of shifting the bits related to a candidate nozzle at a supplement site and specified by the fourth bit string to update the fourth bit string; and a sixth step of generating a fifth bit string through the logical or the logical and of each bit of the third bit string and the fourth bit string. Step 5 and Step 6 are repeated in sequence, and nozzles that supplement non-discharge nozzles are selected.

Description

Control method of inkjet printing device and inkjet printing device

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an inkjet printing device and the inkjet printing device, which is used in the formation of a light-emitting layer or a sealing film of a display panel for a display element such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

The current production of organic EL displays uses vapor deposition as the mainstream. In recent years, in order to reduce costs, a method of using an inkjet device that does not require vacuum but is highly efficient in material utilization is being reviewed.

In the manufacturing method of an organic EL display using an inkjet device, for the display unit (hereinafter referred to as "cell"), ink is discharged from the nozzle of the inkjet head to the corresponding unit, and the function is formed in the unit The membrane method is generally common. The above-mentioned display unit is partitioned and formed by partition walls called banks provided on the display panel.

From the viewpoint of manufacturing efficiency, the inkjet printing device uses a plurality of nozzles arranged in rows. Therefore, with the increase in resolution or size of display panels, the number of nozzles used has also become in units of tens of thousands. In the case of using many nozzles, there may be a large deviation of the ink application position or application amount from the design value due to the adhesion of dried ink or foreign matter, which may cause defective nozzles that cannot be corrected. Doubts.

Therefore, in the past, when a defective nozzle occurred, the following method was adopted to deal with it. For example, instead of ejecting ink from defective nozzles, a method of increasing the number of ejections from other adjacent nozzles to make up for the amount of ink applied has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5157348 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1 "). In addition, a method of supplementing the application amount of ink with a spare nozzle capable of ejecting in the same cell is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6387580 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 2").

In recent years, due to the progress of high-resolution display panels, the number of times that each nozzle can be applied to the same coating area is advancing in a restricted direction. Therefore, for example, the method of increasing the number of times of application of the nozzle adjacent to the defective nozzle to the application area described in Patent Document 1 has a limit in correspondence. Therefore, it becomes necessary to use the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above.

However, in the method of Patent Document 2, it is necessary for each nozzle to search for a spare nozzle that can be used in the same unit through a conditional branching process. Therefore, compared with the supplement processing of Patent Document 1, the data processing is complicated and time-consuming in calculation.

Therefore, in the conventional inkjet printing apparatus, when defective nozzles are generated, it becomes impossible to supply specified droplets to the display unit. That is, since it becomes a defective product, it is necessary to stop production during the above-mentioned replenishment process. As a result, if the replenishment process cannot keep up with the printing, the tact will be delayed, and therefore the productivity will be reduced. In other words, it is desirable to select a low load for the calculation process for supplementing nozzles.

The present invention provides a method for controlling an inkjet printing device and an inkjet printing device, which can select nozzles to be subjected to supplementary processing while suppressing an increase in the load of arithmetic processing.

One aspect of the present invention is a control method of an inkjet printing device that has a plurality of nozzles and is configured to apply ink to individual units of a display panel using the plurality of nozzles. The control method of the inkjet printing device includes: the first step (a), obtaining data related to the first bit string from the print data holding memory, the first bit string being the nozzles that need to be ejected among the plurality of nozzles and Nozzles that do not need to be ejected are each expressed in 1-bit units. In addition, it includes: the second step (b), acquiring data related to the second bit string from the non-discharging nozzle holding memory. The second bit string is the discharge nozzle and the non-discharging nozzle of the plurality of nozzles each with 1 It is expressed in bit units. Including: the third step (c), the third bit string is generated by the logical OR of the bits of the first bit string and the second bit string; and the fourth step (d), the first bit string is generated The logical AND of each bit of the string and the second bit string generates the fourth bit string. Including: Step 5 (e), update the 4th bit string in the following way: Shift the bit related to the candidate nozzles at the complement specified by the 4th bit string, and change the candidate nozzles at the complement to a plurality of The other nozzles among the nozzles; and the sixth step (f, g), the fifth bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the third bit string and the fourth bit string. In addition, the fifth step (e) and the sixth step (f, g) are repeatedly executed in sequence. In addition, the configuration is such that when the fifth bit string generated in the sixth step (g) shows that the non-discharging nozzle can be supplemented, the candidate nozzles at the supplementary point set at that point in time are selected as the non-discharging nozzles. Complementing the nozzle of the nozzle.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is an inkjet printing device that has a plurality of nozzles and is configured to apply ink to individual units of the display panel using the plurality of nozzles. The inkjet printing device includes a control device that executes the following steps. The control device first executes: the first step (a), obtains data related to the first bit string from the print data holding memory. The first bit string is the nozzle that needs to be ejected and the one that does not need to be ejected among the plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle is expressed in 1-bit units. Next, perform: Step 2 (b), obtain data related to the second bit string from the non-discharge nozzle holding memory. The second bit string is the discharge nozzle and the non-discharge nozzle of the plurality of nozzles each with 1 It is expressed in bit units. Then, perform: the third step (c), the third bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string. Then, perform: the fourth step (d), the fourth bit string is generated by the logical AND of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string. Next, perform: Step 5 (e), update the fourth bit string in the following way: shift the bit associated with the candidate nozzle at the complement specified by the fourth bit string, and change the candidate nozzle at the complement to Other nozzles among a plurality of nozzles. Then, perform: the sixth step (f, g), the fifth bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the third bit string and the fourth bit string. The control device repeatedly executes the fifth step (e) and the sixth step (f, g) in sequence. In addition, when the fifth bit string generated in the sixth step (g) shows that the non-discharging nozzle can be supplemented, the control device selects the candidate nozzle for the supplement set at that time as the non-discharging nozzle The top-up nozzle.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for controlling an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing apparatus, which can select nozzles to be subjected to supplementary processing while suppressing an increase in the load of arithmetic processing.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In addition, in the following description, among a plurality of nozzles included in an inkjet printing device (that is, equivalent to an inkjet head), a nozzle that is not a defective nozzle but performs discharge is referred to as a "discharge nozzle". On the other hand, a nozzle that becomes a defective nozzle and does not perform discharge is referred to as a "non-discharge nozzle" for description. In addition, the discharge nozzle that complements the non-discharge nozzle is referred to as the "refill nozzle" for description. (Implementation form)

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the head arrangement and printing method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present embodiment is not limited to these embodiments. (Explanation of the conventional control structure)

Hereinafter, in order to describe the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment, first, the operation when printing is performed using the conventional control structure will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a discharge circuit of an inkjet printing apparatus Ua in a conventional control structure.

First, the constituent elements of the block diagram of FIG. 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus Ua is composed of a substrate 101 to be printed, one or more inkjet heads 102, a printing material generation unit 103, an inkjet head control unit 104, and the like. The substrate 101 has a unit 101a and the like formed on the substrate 101. The cells 101a are on the substrate 101, and are arranged at a certain pitch with respect to the printing scanning direction x.

The inkjet head 102 includes one or a plurality of ink heads, and the ink heads are arranged in a direction y orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. In addition, the inkjet head 102 has a nozzle hole 102a, and the nozzle hole 102a is arranged in a direction y orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. Thereby, the inkjet head 102 is configured to be able to apply ink using a plurality of nozzle holes 102a for each unit 101a.

The print material generation unit 103 is composed of a print material generation unit 103a, a data transmission unit 103b, unit pattern data 103c, unit arrangement data 103d, non-discharge nozzle data 103e, and the like.

The inkjet head control unit 104 is composed of a data receiving unit 104a, a printing data holding memory 104b, a position detecting unit 104c, a printing timing generating unit 104d, a driving signal generating unit 104e, and a driving signal selecting unit 104f. In addition, the inkjet head control unit 104 has a microcomputer (not shown). The microcomputer includes, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), an input port, and an output Constituted by ports and so on. The microcomputer collectively controls the aforementioned data receiving unit 104a, print data holding memory 104b, position detecting unit 104c, printing timing generating unit 104d, driving signal generating unit 104e, and driving signal selecting unit 104f.

In addition, the printed material generating unit 103 is, for example, arranged in the body of the inkjet printing device Ua. The inkjet head control unit 104 is attached to the inkjet head 102.

As described above, the control structure of the conventional inkjet printing apparatus Ua is constructed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the block diagram of FIG. 1 will be described.

First, the data flow (data flow) from the creation of the printed data to the transmission is explained at the beginning.

The print data generation unit 103a of the print data generation unit 103 generates image data based on the unit arrangement data 103d, the unit pattern data 103c, the non-discharge nozzle data 103e, and the positional deviation information. Specifically, the unit arrangement data 103d is data on the arrangement position of the unit 101a on the substrate 101 to be printed. The cell pattern data 103c is data of the ink discharge pattern in the cell 101a. The non-discharge nozzle data 103e is data on the clogging information of the nozzles of the inkjet head 102.

The document transmitting unit 103b transmits the image data generated by the printing document generating unit 103a to the document receiving unit 104a in the inkjet head control unit 104.

The document receiving unit 104a stores the image data received from the document transmitting unit 103b in the printed document holding memory 104b.

Next, the flow of materials at the time of printing will be explained.

During printing, the substrate 101 to be printed moves in the x direction. At this time, the position detection unit 104c of the inkjet head control unit 104 detects the change in the relative position of the substrate 101 and the inkjet head 102 to generate a timing pulse that matches the change in the relative position.

The printing timing generating unit 104d divides the frequency of the timing pulse output from the position detecting unit 104c in accordance with the printing resolution Rx. In addition, the printing timing generating unit 104d generates a printing timing signal and outputs it to the driving signal generating unit 104e. The printing timing signal defines the generation timing of the voltage waveform for driving the nozzles of the inkjet head 102.

The driving signal generating unit 104e outputs the nozzle driving waveform of the inkjet head 102 according to the printing timing signal generated by the printing timing generating unit 104d.

The drive signal selection unit 104f turns on and off the nozzle drive waveforms transmitted from the drive signal generating unit 104e for each nozzle according to the printing data transmitted from the printing data holding memory 104b. In this way, the driving signal selection unit 104f controls whether the inkjet head 102 discharges ink. (Problems of the previous control structure)

Next, the problem of the conventional control structure will be described using FIGS. 2A and 2B.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing the operation flow of the inkjet printing apparatus Ua when the conventional configuration is used. In detail, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the operation flow at the time of initial printing. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing the operation flow when the non-discharge nozzle is changed.

First, the operation flow at the time of initial printing of FIG. 2A will be described.

Step S201 in FIG. 2A is the printing data reading process. The printing data reading process is a process of reading the cell arrangement data 103d, the cell pattern data 103c, and the nozzle data 103e not to be ejected. As described above, the unit arrangement data 103d is the arrangement position of the unit 101a on the substrate 101 to be printed. The cell pattern data 103c is the ink discharge pattern in the cell 101a. The non-discharge nozzle data 103e is the nozzle clogging information of the inkjet head 102.

Step S202 is printing material generation processing. The print data generation process is a process of generating print data in accordance with the cell layout data 103d and the cell pattern data 103c.

Step S203 is the non-dispensing supplement processing. The non-discharging supplement processing is in response to the non-discharging nozzle data 103e, and the non-discharging nozzle supplement processing is performed on the print data generated in step S202, thereby generating the printing data after the non-discharging nozzle supplements.

Step S204 is transfer processing. The transfer process is a process of transferring the printed material after the supplement is not ejected from the print material generating unit 103 of FIG. 1 to the inkjet head control unit 104.

Step S205 is printing processing. The printing process is a process of sequentially printing the print data stored in the print data holding memory 104b in accordance with the movement of the substrate 101 to be printed in FIG. 1.

Next, the processing flow when the non-discharge nozzle is changed in FIG. 2B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the non-discharge nozzle is changed, the printed data after the non-discharge supplement is changed. Therefore, it is necessary to retransmit all data again. That is, in the conventional control structure, the processing flow when the non-discharge nozzle is changed is the same operation flow as in FIG. 2A. That is, in the conventional control structure, all the data of the printed data after the supplement is not discharged again and the transmission is performed. (Description of the control method in this embodiment)

Hereinafter, the control method of the embodiment of the present invention conceived in view of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4B.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the discharge circuit of the inkjet printing apparatus U in this embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the operation flow of the inkjet printing apparatus U when the configuration of this embodiment is used.

First, the constituent elements of the block diagram of FIG. 3 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printing device U is composed of a substrate 101 to be printed (corresponding to a display panel in this embodiment), one or more inkjet heads 102, a printing data generating unit 103, and inkjet The head control unit 104 and the like are constituted. The substrate 101 has a unit 101a and the like formed on the substrate 101. The cells 101a are on the substrate 101, and are arranged at a certain pitch with respect to the printing scanning direction x.

The inkjet head 102 includes one or a plurality of ink heads, and the ink heads are arranged in a direction y orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. In addition, the inkjet head 102 has a nozzle hole 102a, and the nozzle hole 102a is arranged in a direction y orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. Thereby, the inkjet head 102 is configured to be able to apply ink using a plurality of nozzle holes 102a for each unit 101a.

The print material generation unit 103 is composed of a print material generation unit 103a, a data transmission unit 103b, a unit pattern data 103c, a unit arrangement data 103d, a non-discharge nozzle data 103e, and the like.

The inkjet head control unit 104 (corresponding to the "control device" in this embodiment) is composed of a data receiving unit 104a, a printing data holding memory 104b, a position detecting unit 104c, a printing timing generating unit 104d, and a driving signal generating unit 104e , The drive signal selection part 104f, the unit arrangement holding memory 104h, and the non-discharge nozzle holding memory 104i are constituted.

In addition, the inkjet head control unit 104 has a microcomputer (not shown). The microcomputer includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). (Random access memory)), input ports, output ports, etc. Microcomputer integrated control: data receiving unit 104a, printing data holding memory 104b, position detection unit 104c, printing timing generating unit 104d, driving signal generating unit 104e, and the drive signal selection unit 104f.

In addition, the printed material generating unit 103 is, for example, arranged in the body of the inkjet printing device U. The inkjet head control unit 104 is attached to the inkjet head 102.

As described above, the control structure of the inkjet printing apparatus U of this embodiment is constructed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the block diagram of FIG. 3 will be described.

First of all, the data flow from the creation of the printed data to the transmission is explained at the beginning.

The print data generation unit 103a of the print data generation unit 103 generates an image for printing based on the unit layout data 103d, which is the arrangement position of the unit 101a on the substrate 101 to be printed, and the unit pattern data 103c, which is the ink discharge pattern in the unit 101a. material.

The data transmission unit 103b transmits the image data generated by the print data generation unit 103a, the unit arrangement data 103d, and the non-discharge nozzle data 103e to the data reception unit 104a in the inkjet head control unit 104.

The document receiving unit 104a stores the image data received from the document transmitting unit 103b in the printed document holding memory 104b, and stores the unit arrangement data 103d in the unit arrangement holding memory 104h. In addition, the data receiving unit 104a stores the non-discharging nozzle data 103e in the non-discharging nozzle holding memory 104i.

Next, the flow of materials at the time of printing will be explained.

During printing, the substrate 101 to be printed moves in the x direction. At this time, the position detection unit 104c of the inkjet head control unit 104 detects the change in the relative position of the substrate 101 and the inkjet head 102 to generate a timing pulse that matches the change in the relative position.

The printing timing generating unit 104d divides the frequency of the timing pulse output from the position detecting unit 104c in accordance with the printing resolution Rx. In addition, the printing timing generating unit 104d generates a printing timing signal and outputs it to the non-discharge nozzle complementing unit 104g. The printing timing signal defines the timing of generating the voltage waveform for driving the nozzles of the inkjet head 102.

The non-discharge nozzle complementing unit 104g reads out the print data stored in the print data holding memory 104b based on the print timing signal generated by the print timing generation unit 104d. The non-discharge nozzle supplementation unit 104g performs the non-discharge nozzle supplement processing using the unit configuration data 103d read from the unit configuration holding memory 104h and the non-discharge nozzle data 103e read from the non-discharge nozzle retention memory 104i. In addition, the non-discharge nozzle supplement processing will be described later using FIGS. 5 to 8.

The driving signal generating unit 104e outputs the nozzle driving waveform of the inkjet head 102 according to the printing timing signal generated by the printing timing generating unit 104d.

The drive signal selection unit 104f turns on and off the nozzle drive waveforms sent from the drive signal generating unit 104e for each nozzle based on the printing data sent from the non-discharging nozzle complementing unit 104g. In this way, the driving signal selection unit 104f controls whether the inkjet head 102 discharges ink. (Advantages of the control structure of this embodiment)

Next, the advantages of the control structure of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing the operation flow of the inkjet printing apparatus U when the configuration of this embodiment is used. In detail, FIG. 4A is the operation flow at the time of initial printing. Fig. 4B is an operation flow when the non-discharge nozzle is changed. In addition, the processing shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B is, for example, processing performed by each part of the inkjet printing apparatus U in compliance with a computer program.

First, the operation flow at the time of initial printing of FIG. 4A will be described.

Step S201 in FIG. 4A is the printing data reading process. In the print data reading process, the print data generation unit 103a reads the unit layout data 103d, which is the arrangement position of the cell 101a of the substrate 101 to be printed in FIG. 3, and the cell pattern data 103c, which is the ink discharge pattern in the cell 101a.的处理。 The treatment.

Step S202 in FIG. 4A is the printing material generation process. The print data generation process is a process of generating print data in accordance with the above-mentioned unit arrangement data 103d and unit pattern data 103c.

Step S204 in FIG. 4A is a transfer process. The transfer process is a process of transferring the printing data and unit arrangement data 103d and non-discharge nozzle data 103e of FIG.

Step S206 in FIG. 4A is the non-dispensing supplementation and printing process. The non-discharge supplementation & printing process is a process of printing the print data stored in the print data holding memory 104b in accordance with the movement of the printing target substrate 101 in FIG. 3 while performing non-discharge supplementation processing one after another.

Next, the processing flow when the non-discharge nozzle is changed in FIG. 4B will be described.

Step S207 in FIG. 4B is the non-discharge nozzle conveying process. The non-discharge nozzle transfer process is a process in which the non-discharge nozzle data 103e of FIG. 3 is transferred to the non-discharge nozzle holding memory 104i by the data transmission unit 103b.

Step S206 in FIG. 4B is the non-dispensing supplementation and printing process. The non-discharging supplement & printing process is a process of printing the printing data stored in the print data holding memory 104b in accordance with the movement of the printing target substrate 101 in FIG.

As described above, in the control structure of the present embodiment, even when the non-discharge nozzle is changed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the printing can be continued by performing the non-discharge nozzle transfer process shown in step S207. Therefore, there is no need to regenerate and transmit the printed materials as shown in FIG. 2B. Thereby, it becomes possible to shorten the time consumed for data generation and transmission. (The flow of the non-spit replenishment processing in this embodiment)

Hereinafter, the flow of the non-discharge replenishment processing in this embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5.

Step S501 in FIG. 5 is a process of obtaining pixels that need to be discharged. The ejection-needed pixel acquisition processing is a process of obtaining the ejected pixels corresponding to the cell position from the print data holding memory 104b of FIG. 3 from the print data holding memory 104b of FIG. 3 according to the content of the cell placement holding memory 104h. In addition, the method of obtaining pixels that need to be ejected will be described later using FIG. 6.

Step S502 in FIG. 5 is the processing for obtaining the undischarged pixel. The non-discharging pixel acquisition process is a process of obtaining the non-discharging pixel corresponding to the cell position from the non-discharging nozzle holding memory 104i of FIG. 3 from the non-discharging nozzle holding memory 104i of FIG. In addition, the method of obtaining pixels that cannot be ejected will be described later using FIG. 7.

In addition, the details of the complement processing from step S503 to step S509 in FIG. 5 will be described later using FIG. 8.

Step 503 in FIG. 5 is the calculation processing for the inability to complement the pixel. In the calculation processing of the unfilled pixels, the non-ejection nozzle complementing section 104g takes a logical OR (OR) of the printing pixels and the pixels that cannot be ejected. In this way, the pixels that are designated as pixels that need to be ejected or pixels that cannot be ejected, and cannot be used to make up for non-ejection, are obtained.

Step 504 in FIG. 5 is the complementary target pixel calculation processing. In the complementary target pixel calculation processing, the non-discharge nozzle complementary unit 104g takes the logical product (AND) of the printing pixel and the non-dischargeable pixel. In this way, the pixels that are designated as pixels that need to be ejected or pixels that cannot be ejected, and that need not to be ejected, are determined.

Step S505 in FIG. 5 is the pixel calculation processing of the complement. In the complement pixel calculation processing, the non-discharge nozzle complement unit 104g cyclically shifts the complement target pixel determined in step S504 by a predetermined number of shifts. Thereby, the complementary target pixel is shifted by the non-discharge nozzle complementary part 104g.

Step 506 in FIG. 5 is the pixel calculation processing after the complementation processing. In the pixel calculation processing after the complement processing, the non-discharge nozzle complementing unit 104g takes the logical OR (OR) of the unfilled pixel determined in step S503 and the complemented pixel determined in step S505. In this way, the post-complementation pixel calculation process is used to obtain the post-complementation pixel.

Step 507 in FIG. 5 is the process of calculating the failed pixels. In the calculation process of the complement failure pixel, the non-discharge nozzle complementing unit 104g takes the logical AND (AND) of the unfilled pixel obtained in step S503 and the complemented pixel obtained in step S505. In this way, the complementary failed pixel is obtained by the complementary failed pixel calculation process.

Step 508 in FIG. 5 is the process of determining the number of repetitions. In the determination processing, the non-discharge nozzle complementing unit 104g repeats the processing of step S505, step S506, and step S507 next to (pixel-1) in the unit. In this way, it becomes a calculation for all the pixels in the cell whether it can be supplemented.

Step 509 in FIG. 5 is the non-discharge nozzle elimination process. In the non-discharging nozzle exclusion processing, the non-discharging nozzle complementing unit 104g takes the logical product (AND) of the final complementary pixel calculated in step S506 and the logically inverted value of the non-discharging pixel in step S502. In this way, through the non-discharge nozzle elimination process, the final discharge data after the non-discharge supplementation of the non-discharge nozzle is not used is obtained.

Based on the above, the non-discharge replenishment processing of the present invention is executed. (Need to spit out pixel acquisition processing)

Next, using FIG. 6, a description will be given of the required discharge pixel acquisition process of step S501 in FIG. 5. In addition, FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of pixels that need to be discharged on the memory when the number of droplets that can be arranged in the printing scanning direction has been changed.

601 in FIG. 6 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there is one droplet in the printing scanning direction, and four can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 601 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. The black circle (●) of 601 indicates the droplet that has been discharged, and the white circle (○) indicates the droplet that has not been discharged. That is, in the case of 601, droplets are discharged to the positions of pixel 0 and pixel 2.

602 in FIG. 6 is a pixel that needs to be ejected on the memory of 601 in FIG. 6. The pixels that need to be ejected are expressed in 1-bit units. 1 indicates that the pixels need to be ejected, and 0 indicates that the pixels do not need to be ejected. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixel 0 to pixel 3 of 601. That is, the bits of address 0 and address 2 of 602 become pixels that need to be ejected, and the bits of address 1 and address 3 become pixels that do not need to be ejected.

603 in FIG. 6 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there are 2 droplets in the printing scanning direction, and 4 droplets can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 603 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the first column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 4 to 7 in the second column of the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. At this time, for pixels 0 and 7, pixel 1 and pixel 6, pixel 2 and pixel 5, and pixel 3 and pixel 4 in the cell, droplets are discharged from the same nozzle. The black circle of 603 indicates the droplet that has been discharged, and the white circle indicates the droplet that has not been discharged. That is, in the case of 603, among pixels 0 to 7, droplets are discharged to the positions of pixels 0, 2, 4, and 6.

604 in FIG. 6 is a pixel to be ejected on the memory of 603 in FIG. 6. The pixels that need to be ejected are expressed in 1-bit units. 1 indicates that the pixels need to be ejected, and 0 indicates that the pixels do not need to be ejected. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixel 0 to pixel 7 of 603. That is, the bits of address 0, address 2, address 4, and address 6 of 604 become the pixels that need to be spit out, and the bits of address 1, address 3, address 5, and address 7 of 604 It becomes unnecessary to spit out pixels.

605 in Figure 6 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there are 3 droplets in the printing scanning direction, and 4 droplets can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 605 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the first column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 4 to 7 in the second column of the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 8 to B in the third column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. At this time, for the pixel 0, pixel 7 and pixel 8, pixel 1 and pixel 6 and pixel 9, pixel 2 and pixel 5 and pixel A, pixel 3 and pixel 4 and pixel B in the cell, the liquid is discharged from the same nozzle. drop. The black circle of 605 indicates the droplet that has been discharged, and the white circle indicates the droplet that has not been discharged. That is, in the case of 605, among pixels 0 to B, droplets are discharged to the positions of pixel 0, pixel 2, pixel 4, pixel 6, pixel 8, and pixel A.

606 in FIG. 6 is a pixel to be ejected on the memory of 605 in FIG. 6. The pixels that need to be ejected are expressed in 1-bit units. 1 indicates that the pixels need to be ejected, and 0 indicates that the pixels do not need to be ejected. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixel 0 to pixel B of 605. That is, the bits of address 0, address 2, address 4, address 6, address 8, and address A of 606 become pixels that need to be spit out. In addition, the bits of address 1, address 3, address 5, address 7, address 9, and address B of 606 become no need to spit out pixels.

As described above, when multiple rows of droplets are arranged in the printing scanning direction in the unit, as shown by the dotted arrows in 603 and 605 in FIG. 6, for example, the adjacent droplets are continuously read like a stroke And dispose on the memory. That is, it is arranged on the memory in the above-mentioned form. Thereby, it is comprised so that, when the supplement process mentioned later is performed, the nozzle which does not discharge nozzle vicinity is comprised preferentially to supplement.

In addition, in the above, although the arrangement of the droplets in the cell in the case where four nozzles can be dispensed in the arrangement direction of the nozzles has been described as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, the number of nozzles allocated to each unit can be arbitrarily changed based on the unit arrangement data 103d of the print data generating unit 103. In this way, even panels with different unit configurations can be handled. (Cannot spit out pixel acquisition processing)

Next, using FIG. 7, a description will be given of the non-discharge pixel acquisition processing in step S502 in FIG. 5. In addition, FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of pixels that need to be ejected on the memory when the number of droplets that can be arranged in the printing scanning direction has been changed.

701 in FIG. 7 indicates an inkjet head, and 0 to 3 in the inkjet head indicate nozzles in the head. The black circle (●) of 701 indicates the non-discharge nozzle, and the white circle (○) indicates the discharge nozzle. In addition, in the case of 701, the third nozzle is a non-discharge nozzle, and the 0th to second nozzles are discharge nozzles.

702 in FIG. 7 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there is one droplet in the printing scanning direction, and four can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 702 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. The black circle of 702 indicates the droplet corresponding to the non-discharge nozzle, and the white circle indicates the droplet corresponding to the discharge nozzle. That is, since the No. 3 nozzle of 701 is a non-discharging nozzle, in the droplet arrangement in the unit of 702, the third droplet becomes a droplet corresponding to the non-discharging nozzle (that is, a droplet with a small discharge amount). .

703 in FIG. 7 is the arrangement of the incapable pixels on the memory of 702 in FIG. 7. Pixels that cannot be discharged are arranged in 1-bit units to indicate the presence or absence of pixels that cannot be discharged, 1 means that pixels cannot be discharged, and 0 means that pixels can be discharged. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixel 0 to pixel 3 of 702. That is, the bits from address 0 to address 2 of 703 become pixels that can be ejected, and the bits of address 3 become pixels that cannot be ejected.

704 in FIG. 7 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there are 2 droplets in the printing scanning direction, and 4 droplets can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 704 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the first column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 4 to 7 in the second column of the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. At this time, for pixels 0 and 7, pixel 1 and pixel 6, pixel 2 and pixel 5, and pixel 3 and pixel 4 in the cell, droplets are discharged from the same nozzle. The black circle in 704 indicates the droplet corresponding to the non-discharge nozzle, and the white circle indicates the droplet corresponding to the discharge nozzle. At this time, because the No. 3 nozzle of 701 is a non-discharging nozzle, in the droplet arrangement in the unit of 704, the third and fourth droplets are corresponding to the non-discharging nozzle (that is, the discharge amount is small). Droplets).

705 in FIG. 7 is the arrangement of the incapable pixels on the memory of 704 in FIG. 7. Pixels that cannot be discharged are arranged in 1-bit units to indicate the presence or absence of pixels that cannot be discharged, 1 means that pixels cannot be discharged, and 0 means that pixels can be discharged. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixels 0 through 705. That is, the bits from pixel 0 to pixel 2 and pixel 5 to pixel address 7 become spittable pixels, and the bits at address 3 and address 4 become unspitable pixels.

706 in FIG. 7 indicates the arrangement of droplets in the cell, and when the droplets are discharged into the cell, there are 3 droplets in the printing scanning direction, and 4 droplets can be allocated in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction. The arrangement of droplets in the unit in the case of a nozzle. In addition, the X direction of 706 indicates the printing scanning direction, and the pixels 0 to 3 in the first column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 4 to 7 in the second column of the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. In addition, the pixels 8 to B in the third column in the cell are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the printing scanning direction, and droplets are discharged from different nozzles. At this time, for the pixel 0, pixel 7 and pixel 8, pixel 1 and pixel 6 and pixel 9, pixel 2 and pixel 5 and pixel A, pixel 3 and pixel 4 and pixel B in the cell, the liquid is discharged from the same nozzle. drop. The black circle at 706 indicates the droplet corresponding to the non-discharge nozzle, and the white circle indicates the droplet corresponding to the discharge nozzle. That is, since the No. 3 nozzle of 701 is a non-discharging nozzle, in the droplet arrangement in the unit of 706, the 3rd, 4th, and Bth droplets are the droplets corresponding to the non-discharging nozzles (that is, the discharging nozzles). Small droplets).

707 in FIG. 7 is an arrangement of non-spitting pixels on the memory of 705 in FIG. 7. Pixels that cannot be discharged are arranged in 1-bit units to indicate the presence or absence of pixels that cannot be discharged, 1 means that pixels cannot be discharged, and 0 means that pixels can be discharged. In addition, each bit corresponds to pixel 0 to pixel B of 706. That is, the bits from address 0 to address 2, address 5 to address A become spit-out pixels, and the bits at address 3, address 4, and address B become un-spit-out pixels.

As described above, the pixels that cannot be ejected are acquired in the same procedure as the ejection-necessary pixel acquisition process (step S501) shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, in the above, although the arrangement of the droplets in the cell in the case where four nozzles can be dispensed in the nozzle direction has been described as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, the number of nozzles allocated in the nozzle direction in each unit can be arbitrarily changed based on the unit arrangement data 103d of the print data generating unit 103. With this, the same structure can be used even if the nozzles are increased or decreased. (Explanation of the treatment without vomiting)

Next, using FIG. 8, the processing content of the non-dispensing supplement according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

Fig. 8 is a diagram sequentially explaining the processing contents of the present invention for not discharging the supplement.

FIG. 8(a) shows that: the first step is to obtain the data of the pixels to be ejected, and the pixels to be ejected are obtained by the process of obtaining the pixels to be ejected in step S501 of FIG. 5. In addition, the above-mentioned data is the first bit string, which shows the position of the nozzle that needs to be ejected for printing among the nozzle rows of the inkjet head 102. In addition, the first bit string indicates, for example, the order of nozzle arrangement of the inkjet head 102 to indicate the position where each nozzle needs to discharge droplets. Specifically, in the first bit string, the position that needs to be discharged is represented by 1, and the position that does not need to be discharged is represented by 0 (zero).

Fig. 8(b) shows that: in the second step, data of the pixels that cannot be discharged is obtained. The aforementioned pixels that cannot be discharged are obtained by the non-discharge pixel acquisition process of step S502. In addition, the above-mentioned data is the second bit string, which indicates the positions of the nozzles that are not ejected among the nozzle rows of the inkjet head 102. In addition, the second bit string indicates the position where the ejection cannot be performed in the order of nozzle arrangement of the inkjet head 102, for example. Specifically, in the second bit string, the position that cannot be ejected is represented by 1, and the position that can be ejected is represented by 0.

Figure 8(c) shows: In the third step, through the calculation processing of unable to fill pixels in step 503, first obtain the data of the pixels that need to be ejected (Figure 8(a)) and the data of the pixels that cannot be ejected (Figure 8(b)). The logical OR (OR) of each bit. That is, FIG. 8(c) shows the following processing: generating data that cannot complement the pixels. In addition, the above-mentioned data is the third bit string, which shows that the nozzle row of the inkjet head 102 cannot be used for the position of the nozzle that does not discharge the supplement. Specifically, in the third bit string, a position that cannot be supplemented and discharged is represented by 1, and a position that can be supplemented and discharged is represented by 0.

Fig. 8(d) shows: in the fourth step, through the calculation process of the complementary target pixel in step S504, the bits of the pixels that need to be ejected (Figure 8(a)) and the pixels that cannot be ejected (Figure 8(b)) are taken Logical AND (AND). That is, FIG. 8(d) shows the following processing: generating data that complements the target pixel. The above-mentioned data is the fourth bit string, which shows the nozzle position of the nozzle row of the inkjet head 102 that needs to be supplemented by the discharge nozzle. Specifically, in the fourth bit string, the position that needs to be supplemented and discharged is represented by 1, and the position that does not need to be supplemented and discharged is represented by 0.

In addition, when the above-mentioned control structure of the present invention is implemented by hardware, it is the (number of pixels-1 level) in the structure unit in the non-discharge nozzle supplement portion 104g shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B Multi-level circuit. In this way, it becomes possible to perform complementary verification operations for all pixels.

In this case, the inkjet head 102 of the present embodiment is configured to discharge droplets from four nozzles in one unit. Therefore, the non-discharge nozzle supplement part 104g is configured to perform the three-stage verification calculation described below.

Figures 8(e), (f) and (g) are the first stage verification calculations used to search for complementary nozzles.

Specifically, first, Fig. 8(e) shows: the fifth step, that is, through the complementary pixel calculation process of step S505, the data (the fourth bit string) of the complementary target pixel generated in Fig. 8(d) ) Cyclic shift to the left by 1 bit, thereby generating the processing of complementing the pixel data. The above data is a bit string, which shows the position of the complementary candidate nozzle in the nozzle row of the inkjet head 102. In addition, the data of the complementary place pixel in FIG. 8(e) is the data of the complementary place changed from the data of the complementary target pixel in FIG. 8(d) to the data of another place. Specifically, the bit string in Fig. 8(e) uses 1 to indicate the complement, and 0 (zero) indicates that it is not a complement.

Here, the above-mentioned cyclic shift refers to a method in which overflowed bits are circulated when the bit shift processing is performed, that is, a bit shift method. For example, in the bit shifting method, when the existing bit is shifted to the higher bit side, the value of the highest bit is moved to the lowest bit. On the other hand, when the existing bit is shifted to the lower bit side, the value of the lowest bit is moved to the highest bit. Therefore, this is a way that data will not be erased due to overflow caused by bit shifting.

Fig. 8(f) shows: In the sixth step, the pixel calculation process after the complementation process in step S506 is used to obtain the data of the unfilled pixels generated in Fig. 8(c) and the complemented pixels generated in Fig. 8(e) The logical OR (OR) of each bit of the data. That is, FIG. 8(f) shows the following processing: generating data that complements the pixels after processing. The above data is the 5th bit string, which shows the position that can be supplemented by the supplementary nozzle of Fig. 8(e). In addition, in the 5th bit string of FIG. 8(f), when it has been supplemented, the places that cannot be supplemented are represented by 1 and the places that can be supplemented are represented by 0. At this time, if the complementation process has failed, the fifth bit string of the pixel after the complementation process generated in FIG. 8(f) is the same bit string as the third bit string generated in FIG. 8(c) .

Fig. 8(g) shows the same as Fig. 8(f): In the sixth step, the data of the unsupplementable pixels generated in Fig. 8(c) is obtained through the calculation process of the complement failure pixel in step S507 and Fig. 8(e) ) The logical AND (AND) of each bit of the generated complement pixel data. That is, FIG. 8(g) shows the following process: generating data that complements the failed pixels. Here, among the complement target pixels shown in FIG. 8(d), when all the complement target pixels have been complemented, the value in FIG. 8(g) is that all bits become 0 (zero). In addition, in FIG. 8(g), since the third bit is 1, it is shown that the supplement has not yet been completed. That is, in the bit string of FIG. 8(g), 1 indicates a failed bit that cannot be supplemented, and 0 indicates a bit that has no problem.

Fig. 8 (h), (i) and (j) are the second stage of verification calculations used to search for complementary nozzles.

First, FIG. 8(h) uses the complementary pixel calculation process of step S505 shown in FIG. 5 to cyclically shift the data of the failed complementary pixel generated in FIG. 8(g) by 1 bit to the left. In this way, FIG. 8(h) shows the following processing: generating data of complementary pixels that are different from the data of FIG. 8(e). That is, through the processing of FIG. 8(h), the change of the complementary candidate nozzle is performed. In addition, in the bit string of FIG. 8(h), the complement is represented by 1, and 0 represents the unfilled part.

Fig. 8(i) is the pixel calculation process after the complement processing in step S506 to obtain each of the pixel data generated in Fig. 8(f) and the data of the complement pixel generated in Fig. 8(h) Logical OR (OR) of bits. That is, FIG. 8(i) shows the following processing: generating data that complements the pixels after processing. The above data is a bit string, which shows the position that can be supplemented by the supplementary nozzle of Fig. 8(h). In addition, in the bit string of FIG. 8(i), when the complement processing has been performed, the locations that cannot be complemented are represented by 1 and the locations that can be complemented are represented by 0. In addition, when the complementation process has failed, the bit string of the pixel after the complementation process generated in FIG. 8(i) becomes the same bit string as the bit string generated in FIG. 8(c).

Figure 8(j) is the calculation process of the failed complement pixel in step S507 to take the logical AND of the pixel after the complement processing calculated in Figure 8(f) and the pixel at the complement calculated in Figure 8(h) (AND). That is, FIG. 8(j) shows the following process: generating data that complements the failed pixels. Here, in the case where all the complement target pixels shown in FIG. 8(d) have been complemented, the value of FIG. 8(j) is that all bits become 0. However, since the 0th bit of the failed complementation pixel shown in FIG. 8(j) is 1, it indicates that the complementation has not been completed. In addition, in the bit string of FIG. 8(j), after the complementation process, if a 1 appears in the bit string, it indicates a failure that cannot be complemented, and a 0 indicates a part with no problem. At this time, since there is a 1 in the 0th bit, it shows a failure that cannot be supplemented.

Fig. 8 (k), (l) and (m) are the third stage of verification calculation used to explore the complementary nozzle.

First, FIG. 8(k) uses the complementary pixel calculation process of step S505 shown in FIG. 5 to cyclically shift the data of the failed complementary pixel generated in FIG. 8(j) by 1 bit to the left. That is, FIG. 8(k) shows the following processing: generating data of complementary pixels that are different from the data of FIG. 8(h).

Figure 8(l) is the pixel calculation process after the complementation process in step S506 to take the data of the pixel after the complementation process generated in Figure 8(i) and the data of the pixel at the complementation point generated in Figure 8(k). Logical OR (OR) of bits. That is, FIG. 8(1) shows the following processing: generating data of the pixels after the complementary processing (that is, displaying a bit string of positions that can be complemented by the complementary nozzle of FIG. 8(k)).

Figure 8(m) is the calculation process of the failed complement pixel in step S07 to take the data of the pixel after the complement process generated in Figure 8(i) and the data of the pixel at the complement generated in Figure 8(k). The logical OR (AND) of the element. That is, FIG. 8(i) shows the following process: generating data that complements the failed pixels. At this time, in a case where all the complement target pixels shown in FIG. 8(d) have been complemented, the value of FIG. 8(j) is that all bits become 0. In addition, since the complement failed pixel in FIG. 8(m) has all bits set to 0, it shows that the complement has been completed.

Figure 8(n) is the logic inversion of the pixel data generated in Figure 8(l) with the data of the pixel that cannot be ejected obtained in Figure 8(b) through the elimination of pixels that cannot be ejected in step S509. The logical AND (AND) of the subsequent information. That is, FIG. 8(n) shows the following processing: generating data of the excluded pixels that do not use the non-spitting pixels.

Based on the above, the data of the eliminated pixels generated in FIG. 8(n) becomes the final discharge data, which is used to discharge the required discharge amount of droplets into the cell without using the non-discharging nozzles.

In addition, the inkjet printing apparatus U uses the final discharge data generated in FIG. 8(n) to discharge droplets from each nozzle of the inkjet head 102 when printing is executed. In addition, in the example of the aspect of FIG. 8(a) to (n), the first nozzle is used to supplement the pixel at address 2 where the droplet needs to be discharged according to the printed data.

As described above, in the control structure of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize the combination of simple logic operation and bit shift processing without discharging compensation. Therefore, according to the control method of the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment, it becomes possible to perform supplementary processing with simple logic. That is, it becomes possible to perform complement processing by hardware.

Moreover, in the control structure of this embodiment, even when the position of the non-discharging nozzles in the nozzle row of the inkjet head 102 is changed, it is possible to perform the printing data generation and transmission process again without the need to re-execute the printing data. Do not spit out the top up of the nozzle. That is, according to the control structure of this embodiment, even if the position of the non-discharge nozzle has been changed, it becomes possible to continue printing.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the cyclic shift amount used in FIG. 8(e), (h), and (k) is an example, the processing of shifting one bit at a time toward the upper bit is taken as an example. Explained, but not limited to it. The amount of cyclic shift only needs to be such that the complemented pixel includes all pixels in the cell except for the initial complemented target pixel position.

Therefore, for example, in the case where the non-discharging nozzle is to be complemented by nearby nozzles as much as possible, the following method is envisaged: While investigating whether the non-discharging nozzle has a discharge nozzle at the left and right adjacent positions, as shown in Fig. 9 Gradually expand the target nozzle. At this time, in the complementary pixel acquisition process in the first paragraph of FIG. 9(e), the cyclic shift is 1 bit toward the upper bit. As a result, the third bit becomes 1. In addition, in the complementary pixel acquisition process in the second paragraph of FIG. 9(h), the cyclic shift is 2 bits toward the lower bits. As a result, the first bit becomes 1. In this example, at this point in time, all the bits of the failed pixel in Figure 9(j) become 0 and the complement is completed. However, in the case of further processing, in the third paragraph of Figure 9(k) In the pixel acquisition process of the complement position, it is cyclically shifted by 3 bits toward the higher bits. As a result, all pixels in cells other than the initial complement target pixel position can be included. Therefore, it is also possible to make a configuration in which the above-mentioned method of giving the amount of shift is processed.

In addition, in FIG. 8, the following configuration is used as an example for description. First, two processes are performed: the post-complementation pixel calculation process of step S506 shown in FIG. 5 and the complementation failure pixel calculation process of step S507. In addition, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the candidate nozzles for the complements determined by the pixel calculation processing of step S505 can be complemented for the non-discharge nozzles. However, even if there is only one of the pixel calculation processing after the complement processing in step S506 or the complement failed pixel calculation processing in step S507, it can be determined whether the candidate nozzle for the complement determined by the complement pixel calculation processing in step S505 can be used. Make up the nozzle that does not spit out. That is, from the above point of view, in the present invention, it is also possible to determine whether or not the supplementary processing of the non-discharging nozzle can be performed. It can also be configured as follows: only the pixel calculation processing after the supplementary processing in step S506 or the supplementary failed pixel in step S507 is performed Calculate any one of the treatments. In this way, if it is not the actual supplementation processing, but only the determination of whether supplementation is possible, it becomes possible to reduce the processing steps.

0~9, A, B: pixel 101: substrate 101a: unit 102,701: inkjet head 102a: Nozzle hole 103: Printed Document Generation Department 103a: Printed Document Generation Department 103b: Data Transmission Department 103c: unit pattern data 103d: Unit configuration data 103e: Do not spit out nozzle data 104: Inkjet head control section 104a: Data Receiving Department 104b: Printed data retention memory 104c: Position Detection Department 104d: Printing timing generation department 104e: drive signal generating unit 104f: Drive signal selection part 104g: Does not spit out the nozzle to make up the part 104h: Unit configuration retention memory 104i: Does not spit out the nozzle to keep the memory 201~207,501~509: steps 601, 603, 605, 702, 704, 706: droplet configuration in the unit 602,604,606: Need to spit out pixels on the memory 703, 705, 707: Unable to spit out the pixel configuration on the memory U, Ua: inkjet printing device X, x, y: direction

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a discharge circuit of an inkjet printing device in a conventional control structure.

Fig. 2A is an operation flow of the inkjet printing device when the conventional configuration is used.

Fig. 2B is an operation flow of the inkjet printing device when the conventional configuration is used.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the discharge circuit of the inkjet printing device in the control configuration of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is an operation flow of the inkjet printing device when the configuration of the present invention is used.

Fig. 4B is an operation flow of the inkjet printing device when the configuration of the present invention is used.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the non-discharge replenishment processing of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the required discharge pixel acquisition process of step S501 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the undischargeable pixel acquisition process in step S502 in FIG. 5.

Fig. 8 is a diagram sequentially explaining the processing contents of the present invention for not discharging the supplement.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating in sequence other processing contents of the present invention for non-dispensing supplement.

Claims (5)

A method for controlling an inkjet printing device. The inkjet printing device has a plurality of nozzles, and is configured to use the plurality of nozzles to apply ink to individual units of a display panel. The control method includes the following steps: The first step is to obtain data related to the first bit string from the print data holding memory. The first bit string is the nozzles that need to be ejected and the nozzles that do not need to be ejected among the plurality of nozzles, each in 1-bit units To show In the second step, data related to the second bit string is obtained from the non-discharging nozzle holding memory. The second bit string is the discharge nozzle and the non-discharging nozzle of the plurality of nozzles each expressed in 1-bit units; In the third step, the third bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string; In the fourth step, the fourth bit string is generated by the logical AND of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string; The fifth step is to update the fourth bit string as follows: shift the bit associated with the candidate nozzle at the complement specified by the fourth bit string, and change the candidate nozzle at the complement to the plurality of nozzles. Other nozzles in it; and In the sixth step, the fifth bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the third bit string and the fourth bit string. Repeat the fifth step and the sixth step in sequence, and if the fifth bit string generated in the sixth step shows that the non-discharging nozzle can be supplemented, choose to set at that point in time A good candidate nozzle for the replenishment point is used as a nozzle for replenishing the non-discharge nozzle. For example, in the control method of the inkjet printing device of claim 1, when the fifth step and the sixth step are repeatedly performed, in each of the fifth steps, the fourth bit string is specified with the aforementioned The bits related to the candidate nozzles at the complement are shifted by 1 bit at a time. For example, the control method of the inkjet printing device of claim 1 or 2, which includes the following steps: The printing data reading step reads the arrangement position of the aforementioned unit that is installed in the display panel of the printing target, that is, the unit configuration, and the ink ejection pattern in the aforementioned unit, that is, the unit pattern; The printing data generating step, in the body of the inkjet printing device, generating the printing data according to the unit configuration and the unit pattern; In the transferring step, the printing data is transferred from the main body side to the inkjet head control part; and In the printing step, while moving the plurality of nozzles relative to the display panel, the plurality of nozzles are used to apply ink to the cells of the display panel, In the printing step, the first step to the sixth step are performed, whereby the non-discharge nozzles are supplemented and the ink is applied using the plurality of nozzles. For the control method of the inkjet printing device of claim 3, when the inkjet head control unit receives other non-discharge nozzle data indicating the position of the non-discharge nozzle among the plurality of nozzles from the main body side , In the aforementioned printing step, using the previously received print data and the aforementioned other non-discharging nozzle data, perform the aforementioned first step to the aforementioned sixth step, whereby the aforementioned non-discharging nozzles are supplemented while using the aforementioned plural number of nozzles. Nozzle to apply ink. An inkjet printing device is an inkjet printing device that has a plurality of nozzles and is configured to use the aforementioned plurality of nozzles to apply ink to respective units of a display panel, and is provided with a control device that performs the following steps: The first step is to obtain data related to the first bit string from the print data holding memory. The first bit string is the nozzles that need to be ejected and the nozzles that do not need to be ejected among the plurality of nozzles, each in 1-bit units To show In the second step, data related to the second bit string is obtained from the non-discharging nozzle holding memory. The second bit string is the discharge nozzle and the non-discharging nozzle of the plurality of nozzles each expressed in 1-bit units; In the third step, the third bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string; In the fourth step, the fourth bit string is generated by the logical AND of each bit of the first bit string and the second bit string; The fifth step is to update the fourth bit string as follows: shift the bit associated with the candidate nozzle at the complement specified by the fourth bit string, and change the candidate nozzle at the complement to the plurality of nozzles. Other nozzles in it; and In the sixth step, the fifth bit string is generated by the logical OR of each bit of the third bit string and the fourth bit string. The control device repeatedly executes the fifth step and the sixth step in sequence, and when the fifth bit string generated in the sixth step shows that the non-discharging nozzle can be supplemented, select this The candidate nozzle of the replenishment point set at the time point is used as the nozzle for replenishing the non-discharge nozzle.

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