WO2000038927A1 - Procede d'impression et appareil d'impression pour inspecter des points manquants, et support d'impression pour imprimer ce programme d'inspection - Google Patents

Procede d'impression et appareil d'impression pour inspecter des points manquants, et support d'impression pour imprimer ce programme d'inspection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000038927A1
WO2000038927A1 PCT/JP1999/007386 JP9907386W WO0038927A1 WO 2000038927 A1 WO2000038927 A1 WO 2000038927A1 JP 9907386 W JP9907386 W JP 9907386W WO 0038927 A1 WO0038927 A1 WO 0038927A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
printing
nozzles
inspection
dot
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP1999/007386
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Hironori Endo
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP36868698A external-priority patent/JP3900723B2/ja
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corporation filed Critical Seiko Epson Corporation
Priority to EP99961461A priority Critical patent/EP1065057A4/fr
Publication of WO2000038927A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000038927A1/fr
Priority to US09/645,508 priority patent/US6478400B1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2132—Print quality control characterised by dot disposition, e.g. for reducing white stripes or banding
    • B41J2/2139—Compensation for malfunctioning nozzles creating dot place or dot size errors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/485—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes
    • B41J2/505—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements
    • B41J2/5056—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements using dot arrays providing selective dot disposition modes, e.g. different dot densities for high speed and high-quality printing, array line selections for multi-pass printing, or dot shifts for character inclination

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a printing method and a printing apparatus for performing dot missing inspection, and a recording medium on which a program for the same is recorded.
  • the present invention relates to a technique for printing an image by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles and recording dots on the surface of a print medium, and in particular, inspects whether ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles.
  • the present invention relates to a printing technique using dot dropout inspection. Background art
  • An ink jet printer prints an image by discharging ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles.
  • the print head of an inkjet printer has many nozzles.However, some nozzles may be clogged and ink droplets may not be ejected due to increased ink viscosity or air bubbles. . If the nozzle is clogged, a dot may be missing in the image, which may degrade the image quality.
  • one print job means the entire printing operation executed in response to one designation by a user.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the conventional technology, and provides a technology capable of alleviating the deterioration of image quality even when a dot dropout occurs during a printing operation. With the goal. Disclosure of the invention
  • the present invention provides a printing operation for one page.
  • the nozzles to be inspected are checked for the operation nozzles that can eject ink drops and the non-operation nozzles that cannot eject ink drops Decide which one.
  • a first complementary operation of recording a dot to be recorded by the non-operation nozzle using another operation nozzle is executed. In this way, when a non-operation nozzle is detected, dots are complemented by using another operation nozzle, so that deterioration of image quality due to missing dots occurring during the printing operation can be reduced.
  • the nozzle inspection is performed for each main scan in a normal printing operation when there is no non-operation nozzle. In this way, even when a non-operation nozzle is generated, it can be detected in a short time.
  • the non-operating nozzle When the non-operating nozzle is detected by the inspection, at least cleaning of the non-operating nozzle is performed, and when the operation of the non-operating nozzle is not recovered by the predetermined number of cleanings, the first complementary operation is performed. May be executed.
  • a second complementary operation of recording a dot that should have been recorded by the non-operation nozzle using the recovered operation nozzle. May be executed. In this way, a dot that has not been recorded can be recorded by the nozzle that was supposed to be in charge of recording the dot, so that the dot can be easily complemented.
  • the complementary operation is an operation of recording only the dots on the main scanning line to be recorded by the non-operation nozzle using the other operation nozzle or the recovered nozzle. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating due to the overprinting of dots on another main scanning line that is normally printed during the supplementary operation.
  • the operating nozzle is positioned on a main scanning line including a dot to be recorded by the non-operating nozzle, and ii) a transient is performed after the first complementary operation.
  • the plurality of nozzles are positioned at the nozzle positions in the next main scan of the normal printing operation by performing the sub-scan feed with a typical second feed amount. In this way, it is possible to easily execute the supplementary operation for eliminating missing dots without changing the normal printing operation.
  • the nozzles to be inspected eject ink droplets.
  • the present invention relates to a printing method and apparatus, a computer program for realizing the functions of the method or apparatus, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and a computer program including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave. It can be realized in various modes such as signals.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main configuration of a color ink jet printer 20 as one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 20.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first dot missing inspection section 40 and the principle of the inspection method (flying drop inspection method).
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the first dropout inspection unit 40
  • Fig. 5 shows the configuration of the third dot missing inspection unit 42 and its inspection method (diaphragm inspection method). Explanatory diagram showing the principle of
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the complementary operation
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the complementary operation
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the third embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the fourth embodiment
  • FIG. 12 is the procedure of the printing process in the fifth embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of guidance display in the fifth embodiment
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the sixth embodiment
  • FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the guidance display in the sixth embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main structure of a power inkjet printer 20 as one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the printer 20 includes a paper stat force 22, a paper feed roller 24 driven by a step motor (not shown), a platen plate 26, a carriage 28, a step motor 30, and a step motor 30. And a guide rail 34 for a carriage 28.
  • the carriage 28 is equipped with a print head 36 having a number of nozzles.
  • a first dot missing inspection unit 40 is provided at the first standby position of the carriage 28 at the right end in FIG. 1, and a second dot missing inspection unit is provided at the second standby position at the left end. 4 1 is provided.
  • a third missing dot inspection section 42 is further provided.
  • the first dot missing inspection unit 40 includes a light emitting element 40a and a light receiving element 40b, and uses these elements 40a and 44b to fly ink droplets. Check for missing dots by checking the status.
  • the second missing dot inspection section 41 also includes a light emitting element 41a and a light receiving element 41b, and inspects for missing dots according to the same principle as the first missing dot inspection section 40.
  • the third missing dot inspection section 42 inspects for missing dots by checking whether or not the diaphragm provided on the surface vibrates with ink droplets. Detailed contents of the inspection by each dot missing inspection unit will be described later.
  • the printing paper P is taken up by the paper feed roller 24 from the paper stapling force 22, and is sent on the surface of the platen plate 26 in the sub-scanning direction.
  • the carriage 28 is pulled by a pulling belt 32 driven by a stepper 30 and moves in the main scanning direction along a guide rail 34.
  • the main scanning direction is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 20.
  • the printer 20 includes a reception buffer memory 50 for receiving signals supplied from the host computer 100, an image buffer 52 for storing print data, and a system controller 5 for controlling the entire operation of the printer 20. 4 and have.
  • the system controller 54 includes a main scanning drive driver 61 for driving the carriage motor 30, a sub-scanning driver 62 for driving the paper feed motor 31, and three dot missing inspection units 40 to 4. Inspection section drivers 6 3 to 65 that respectively drive the print heads 2, and head drive drivers 66 that drive the print heads 36 are connected.
  • the printer driver (not shown) of the host computer 100 determines various parameter values that define the printing operation based on the print mode (high-speed print mode, high-quality print mode, etc.) specified by the user. I do.
  • the printer driver further generates a print data for performing printing in the print mode based on these parameter values, and transfers the print data to the printer 20.
  • the transferred print data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer memory 50.
  • the system controller 54 reads necessary information from the print data from the reception buffer memory 50, and sends a control signal to each of the drivers 61 to 66 based on the information.
  • the print data received by the receive buffer memory 50 is stored in the image buffer 52.
  • Image data of a plurality of color components obtained by decomposing each color component is stored.
  • the head drive driver 66 reads the image data of each color component from the image buffer 52 according to the control signal from the system controller 54, and accordingly, the nozzle array of each color provided in the print head 36 is provided. Drive.
  • the function of the cleaning execution unit that performs cleaning of the print head 36 is realized by the system controller 54 and the head drive driver 66.
  • the function of a complementary operation execution unit that performs a complementary operation described later is realized by the system controller 54, the main scanning driver 61, the sub-scanning driver 62, and the head driver 66. Is done.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first dot dropout inspection section 40 and the principle of the inspection method (flying drop inspection method). Since the second dot dropout inspection section 41 has the same configuration and operation as the first dot dropout inspection section 40, the second dot dropout inspection section 41 will be described below. Is omitted.
  • FIG. 3 is a view of the print head 36 viewed from the lower surface side. The nozzle array for the six colors of the print head 36 and the light emitting elements 40 a constituting the first dot missing inspection unit 40 are shown. And a light receiving element 40b.
  • the capital letter of the first alphabet in the code indicating each nozzle group means the ink color, and the subscript “.” Indicates that the ink has a relatively high density, and the subscript “” Indicates that the ink has a relatively low density.
  • subscript "D" of Yellow ink nozzle group Y D that the yellow ink Ru ejected from the nozzle groups, a gray color when mixed by substantially equal amounts and concentrated Shianinku and dark magenta evening ink Means.
  • the subscript of the black ink nozzle group K D "D” rather than the black ink ejected from these gray, which means that a concentration of 1 0 0% black.
  • the plurality of nozzles of each nozzle group are aligned along the sub-scanning direction sS.
  • ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle while the print head 36 moves in the main scanning direction MS together with the carriage 28 (FIG. 1).
  • the light emitting element 40a is a laser that emits a light beam L having an outer diameter of about 1 mm or less. This laser light L is emitted in parallel with the sub-scanning direction SS, and is received by the light receiving element 40b.
  • the nozzle group of one color e.g., dark yellow one Y D
  • the nozzle group of one color is head 3 to the printing position so that over the optical path of the laser beam L Position 6
  • dark yellow with the head driver 6 6 (2) - one by one nozzle of Y D, and drives one by predetermined driving period, successively to eject ink droplets from the nozzles .
  • the ejected ink droplet interrupts the optical path of the laser light L on the way, so that the light reception by the light receiving element 40b is temporarily interrupted. Therefore, if an ink droplet is normally ejected from a certain nozzle, the laser beam L is temporarily blocked by the light receiving element 40b, and it can be determined that the nozzle is not clogged. When the laser light L is not blocked at all during the driving period of a certain nozzle, it can be determined that the nozzle is clogged. It should be noted that it may not be possible to reliably detect whether or not the laser beam L has been cut off with one drop of ink, so it is preferable to discharge several drops per nozzle.
  • the print head 36 is moved slightly in the main scanning direction to inspect the nozzles for the next color (light magenta ML in the example in Figure 3).
  • the eye drops of each nozzle are detected by detecting ink drops in flight. Since the presence / absence of dot P (ie, the presence / absence of missing dots) is inspected, there is an advantage that the inspection is completed in a relatively short time.
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the first dot missing inspection unit 40.
  • the directions of the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b are adjusted so that the traveling direction of the laser light L is slightly inclined from the sub-scanning direction SS.
  • the direction of travel of the laser light L is such that when an ink droplet ejected from one nozzle is to be detected by the laser light L, the laser light L is blocked by an ink droplet ejected from another nozzle. It is set to not be performed.
  • the optical path of the laser light L is set so as not to interfere with the paths of the ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles.
  • the laser beam L is emitted in an oblique direction that is inclined from the sub-scanning direction SS
  • one nozzle can be used while moving the print head 36 slowly in the main scanning direction.
  • the nozzles can be inspected for clogging by driving them one by one to eject ink droplets. This has the advantage that even if the ink droplets ejected from some nozzles deviate slightly from a prescribed position or direction, clogging of the nozzles can be inspected.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the third dot missing inspection section 42 and the principle of the inspection method (diaphragm inspection method).
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of one nozzle n of the print head 36, and also shows a diaphragm 42a and a microphone 42b constituting a third dot dropout inspection unit 42. ing.
  • the piezo element PE provided for each nozzle n is installed at a position in contact with the ink passage 80 that guides the ink to the nozzle n.
  • the piezo element PE expands and deforms one side wall of the ink passage 80.
  • the volume of the ink passage 80 contracts in accordance with the expansion of the piezo element PE, and the ink droplet Ip is ejected at a high speed from the tip of the nozzle n.
  • the diaphragm 42a When the ink droplet Ip discharged from the nozzle n reaches the diaphragm 42a, the diaphragm 42a vibrates.
  • the microphone 42b converts the vibration of the diaphragm 42a into an electric signal. Replace. Therefore, by detecting the output signal (vibration sound signal) from the microphone 42b, it is possible to know whether or not the ink droplet Ip has reached the diaphragm 42a (that is, whether or not the nozzle is clogged). .
  • such a set of the vibrating plate 42 a and the microphone 42 b is arranged in the sub-scanning direction by the same number as the number of nozzles for one color. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously inspect all nozzles for one color for clogging. However, if the ink droplets Ip are simultaneously ejected from the adjacent nozzles, the adjacent diaphragms 42a interfere with each other, which may cause erroneous detection. In order to prevent such erroneous detection, it is preferable to set every several nozzles to be inspected at the same time.
  • FIG. 1 shows three missing dot inspection sections 40 to 42, it is sufficient that one dot missing inspection section is provided for one printer.
  • the inspection can be performed at the timings (1) to (3) described above. If the inspection is desired to be performed at the timing of (4) above, for example, a large number of sets of first dot missing inspection sections 40 are provided on the side surface of the carriage 28, and the It is sufficient that the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b sandwich the nozzle array. In order to detect missing dots as quickly as possible, it is desirable to perform the inspection for each pixel or for each main scan. In the present embodiment, since the dot missing inspection sections 40 to 42 are provided at both ends of the scanning range of the carriage 28, one time use of at least one of these inspection sections 40 to 42 is performed. The printing operation when the inspection is performed for each main scan will be described.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the printing process in the first embodiment.
  • a dot missing inspection is performed before each main scan.
  • step S1 the dot missing inspection of all the six colors of nozzles is executed using the first dot missing inspection unit 40 while the carriage 28 is at the first standby position.
  • the first dot omission inspection section 40 is used, but instead of this, the second and third dot omission inspection sections 41, 42 are used. Can also be used.
  • step S2 If it is determined in step S2 that there is no missing dot, one-pass printing is executed in step S3. In this specification, one main scan during a printing operation is also referred to as a “pass”.
  • step S6 it is determined in step S6 whether or not printing of one page has been completed. If not completed, sub-scan feed of a normal printing operation is performed in step S7 and step S7 is performed. Return to S1.
  • step S2 If it is determined in step S2 that there is a missing dot, one-pass printing is performed in step S4, and then in step S5, a complementing operation of complementing the missing dot with another nozzle is performed. Execute.
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the supplementary operation.
  • the print head 36 has only four nozzles, and that the second nozzle is a non-operation nozzle (a nozzle that is clogged). ) And the other nozzles It is a working nozzle (no clogging nozzle).
  • the nozzle pitch k is 3 dots, and that the sub-scan feed is performed at a constant feed amount F of 4 dots.
  • FIG. 7A shows a printing operation when no complement is performed.
  • the second nozzle is clogged, it is not possible to print the dots on the raster line indicated by the broken line in the first pass printing. If the complement operation is not performed, the printing of each pass will be performed one after another while no dot is formed on this raster line.
  • FIG. 7 (B) shows a printing operation when performing complementation. Missing dots occur in the first pass printing as in Fig. 7 (A).
  • the second nozzle is a non-operation nozzle, it is also recognized that dot omission has occurred on the raster line indicated by the broken line.
  • the complementary operation after the first pass step S5
  • the sub-scan feed is performed with the transitional feed amount F a, and the last scan in which dot dropout occurs in the first pass is performed.
  • Position the working nozzle on the line (indicated by the dashed line).
  • the first nozzle is positioned on the raster line where the missing dot occurs by setting the transitional sub-scanning feed amount Fa to 3 dots.
  • one-pass printing is performed, and a printing operation is performed on the raster line where the missing dots have occurred using the first nozzle.
  • the print data of the first pass is retained in the image buffer 52 (Fig. 1) even after the printing of the first pass is performed, and the dot is omitted from the print data.
  • the above supplementary operation is performed using the print data on the raster line where is generated.
  • the main scan in which the complementary operation is performed is also referred to as a “complementary path”.
  • the complementary pass only the printing of dots on the raster line where the missing dots have occurred may be executed, but the printing of dots on other raster lines may also be executed at the same time. That is, in the complementary pass, dot recording is performed again on at least one raster line including at least a raster line where a missing dot has occurred. What should I do? However, if only the dot recording on the raster line with missing dots is performed, higher image quality can be achieved because the dots do not need to be overprinted on the normally printed raster line. There is an advantage. Another advantage is that ink can be saved.
  • step S4 the complementary operation is performed in step S5, but this procedure may be reversed. That is, first, a normal one-pass printing may be performed after performing a complementing operation on a raster line where omission is likely to occur in normal one-pass printing.
  • step S6 When the complementary pass is completed, it is determined in step S6 whether printing for one page has been completed. If not completed, sub-scan feed is executed in step S7 and the process returns to step S1.
  • the feed amount Fb of the sub-scan feed (second transient feed) performed after the complementary pass is the sum (F (F) of the feed amount Fa of the first transient feed.
  • a + Fb) is set to be equal to the feed amount F in the normal printing operation.
  • the “feed amount F in the normal printing operation” means a normal feed amount when no missing dots occur. Note that the feed amount F in a normal printing operation may be set to a different value for each pass.
  • the normal print operation can be performed next.
  • the print head 36 can be correctly positioned at the position of the pass. Therefore, the missing dots can be easily complemented without changing the entire printing operation.
  • the control of the supplementary operation as described above is executed by the system controller 54.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the supplementary operation.
  • the first nozzle is a non-operation nozzle and the other nozzles are operation nozzles.
  • FIG. 8 (A) shows a printing operation when complementing is not performed
  • FIG. 8 (B) shows a printing operation when complementing is performed.
  • the inactive nozzle ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ is the rearmost nozzle in the sub-scanning direction, so a positive value is set as the feed amount Fa for the first transient feed, Other operating nozzles cannot be positioned on the raster line where the dot dropout occurs. Therefore, the feed amount Fa of the first transient feed is set to a negative value (-3 dots in the example of Fig.
  • the feed amount Fb of the second transient feed after the completion of the complementary pass is the sum of the feed amount Fa of the first transient feed (Fa + Fb), as in the case of FIG. Is set to be equal to the normal feed amount F.
  • the feed amount Fa of the first excessive feed can be set to a negative value.
  • a sub-scan feed with a negative feed amount also called “back feed”
  • back feed may include a relatively large feed error due to the backlash of the sub-scan feed mechanism. Since a large feed error degrades image quality, it is preferable to use positive values for the feed amounts F a and F b of the transient feed as much as possible.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process according to the second embodiment.
  • a dot missing inspection is performed after each main scan. After one-pass printing is performed in step S11, in step S12, dot missing inspection for all nozzles for six colors is performed using the first dot missing inspection unit 40.
  • step S13 If it is determined in step S13 that there is no missing dot, the process advances to step S15 to determine whether printing for one page is completed. If not completed, the sub-scan feed in the normal printing operation is executed in step S16, and the process returns to step S11.
  • step S1 If it is determined in step S13 that there is a missing dot, step S1 At 4, a complementary operation is performed by another nozzle. That is, the dots on the raster line where the missing dots have occurred are recorded by other operation nozzles.
  • the specific method of the processing in step S14 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above.
  • step S15 After this complementing operation, it is determined in step S15 whether printing for one page has been completed. If not, sub-scan feed is executed in step S16 and the process proceeds to step S11. Return. Thus, even if the inspection is performed after each scan, it is possible to print a high-quality image without missing dots.
  • missing dots are inspected each time scanning is performed, and when missing dots are detected, a complementary operation is performed using another operating nozzle. Therefore, even if a dot dropout occurs during one scan, the dot dropout can be detected immediately, and the dot dropout on the print medium can be easily eliminated.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the third embodiment.
  • a dot missing inspection is performed before each main scan, and when dot missing is detected, nozzle cleaning is performed.
  • the first dot missing inspection unit 40 executes missing dot inspection of all nozzles for six colors. If it is determined in step S22 that there is no missing dot, one-pass printing is executed in step S23. When printing of one pass is completed, it is determined in step S29 whether or not printing of one page has been completed. If not completed, the sub-scan feed of the normal printing operation is performed in step S30. Execute and return to step S21.
  • step S24 nozzle cleaning is executed in step S24. In this cleaning, all the nozzles of the print head 36 may be cleaned, or only the clogged nozzles may be cleaned.
  • step S25 the missing dot inspection is executed again for all the nozzles.
  • step S26 if it is determined that all clogging of the nozzles has been eliminated and there is no missing dot, the process proceeds to step S23, and after performing one-pass printing, step S23 is performed. Move to 9. On the other hand, if it is determined that clogging of the nozzles has not been resolved and there is missing dots, after performing one-pass printing in step S27, the missing dots are removed in step S28. Executes the complementary operation to complement with other nozzles. The specific method of the processing in step S28 is the same as that shown in FIGS.
  • step S28 In the procedure of FIG. 10, after performing one-pass printing in step S27, the supplementary operation is performed in step S28, but this procedure may be reversed. That is, first, a normal one-pass printing may be performed after performing a supplementary operation on a raster line that is considered to be missing in normal one-pass printing.
  • a normal one-pass printing may be performed after performing a supplementary operation on a raster line that is considered to be missing in normal one-pass printing.
  • step S29 it is determined in step S29 whether printing for one page has been completed. If not completed, sub-scan feed is executed in step S30 and step S21
  • the feed amount Fb of the sub-scanning feed (second transient feed) performed after the complementary pass is the sum of the feed amount Fa of the first transient feed (Fa).
  • F a + F b) is set to be equal to the feed amount F in a normal printing operation.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the printing process in the fourth embodiment.
  • a dot missing inspection is performed after each main scan, and when dot missing is detected, nozzle cleaning is performed.
  • the first dot missing inspection unit 40 is used.
  • step S33 If it is determined in step S33 that there is no missing dot, the flow shifts to step S39 to determine whether printing of one page has been completed. If not completed, the sub-scan feed in the normal printing operation is executed in step S40, and the process returns to step S31.
  • step S34 nozzle cleaning is executed in step S34. In this cleaning, all the nozzles of the print head 36 may be cleaned, or only the clogged nozzles may be cleaned.
  • step S35 the missing dot inspection is executed again for all the nozzles. If it is determined in step S36 that clogging of the nozzle has been resolved and there is no missing dot, the process proceeds to step S37, in which the missing dot is complemented by the original nozzle. Since the sub-scan feed is not performed between the printing of one pass in step S31 and the complementary operation in step S37, the print head 36 remains at the same sub-scan position. Therefore, the dot missing can be eliminated by re-executing the recording of the dot on the raster line where the dot missing has occurred using the nozzle from which the clogging has been eliminated. After eliminating the missing dots in step S37, the process proceeds to step S39, and if the printing of one page has not been completed, the sub-scan feed in the normal printing operation is executed in step S40. And return to step S31.
  • step S38 a complementary operation using another nozzle is performed. That is, the dots on the raster line where the missing dots are generated are recorded by other operation nozzles.
  • the specific method of the process in step S38 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above.
  • step S39 it is determined in step S39 whether printing for one page has been completed. If not completed, sub-scan feed is executed in step S40 and the process proceeds to step S31. Return. Thus, inspection after each scan It is also possible to print a high-quality image without dropouts.
  • dot missing inspection is performed for each scan, and when dot missing is detected, nozzle cleaning is performed, and nozzle operation is restored by cleaning. If not, the complementary operation is performed using another operating nozzle.
  • the post-scanning inspection Fig. 11
  • the complementary operation is performed using the recovered nozzle. Therefore, even if a missing dot occurs during one scan, the missing dot can be immediately detected, and the missing dot on the print medium can be easily eliminated.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process in the fifth embodiment.
  • the procedure of the fifth embodiment is such that steps S41 and S42 are inserted between steps S33 and S34 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. This is the same as the fourth embodiment.
  • step S33 guidance for the user is displayed on the display of the host computer or the display panel of the printer in step S41.
  • FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the guidance display. In this guidance display, the description "Nozzle clogging has been detected in the printer. Please select the next processing procedure.” And two buttons for the processing procedure 0 P1 and OP2 Is displayed.
  • the first option O P1 is “J processing for complementing with another nozzle to continue printing,” and the second option O P2 is “processing for cleaning and complementing.”
  • step S42 When the user selects the first option 0P1, the process proceeds from step S42 to step S38, in which missing dots are complemented by other nozzles.
  • step S34 the nozzle Cleaning is performed.
  • the processing after step S34 is the same as in the fourth embodiment. Note that the above-described guidance display and the selection of the processing procedure by the user can be similarly applied to the above-described first to third embodiments.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the printing process in the sixth embodiment.
  • the procedure of the sixth embodiment is such that steps S41, 42, S34 to S38 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 are replaced with steps S51 to S57.
  • the other configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of guidance display in the sixth embodiment.
  • This guidance display includes three alternatives 0 P11 to 0 P13 different from those in FIG.
  • the first option 0 P 11 is a process of “reprinting from the top of the page after cleaning”
  • the second option OP 12 is a process of “continue printing after cleaning”.
  • the option OP 13 of the processing is “continue printing as it is”.
  • step S52 the process proceeds from step S52 to step S53, and it is determined whether or not the nozzle operation has been recovered by the predetermined number of cleanings. Specifically, each time one cleaning is completed, a dot missing inspection is performed, and when the nozzle recovers, the subsequent cleaning is stopped. When the nozzle is recovered by cleaning, the printing sheet is discharged in step S54, and printing is executed again from the top of the page. If the nozzle has not been recovered by the predetermined number of cleanings, the process proceeds from step S53 to step S55, and a warning is displayed on the display of the host computer or the display panel of the printer. Processing continues. This warning message indicates, for example, "clogging of nozzles cannot be recovered by cleaning, but printing has continued.” Includes a description. It is preferable that such a warning be displayed even after printing is completed.
  • step S56 it is determined whether or not the operation of the nozzle has been recovered by the predetermined number of cleanings.
  • the printing process from step S39 is continued without performing the complementing process.
  • a warning is displayed in step S55, and then the processing in step S39 and thereafter is continued.
  • the process proceeds from step S52 to step S57, and after the warning is displayed, the process from step S39 continues.
  • the complementing operation may be performed by another operating nozzle.
  • a warning may be displayed to interrupt the printing process.
  • a guidance display for providing the user with a choice of a subsequent processing procedure is displayed. It is possible to select an appropriate processing procedure. Instead of displaying the guidance when a missing dot is detected, it is also possible to select a processing procedure after the detection of the missing dot before starting the print job. In this way, even if the user does not monitor the printing status during printing, it is possible to automatically execute the processing after the detection of the missing dot according to the processing procedure selected in advance.
  • part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. You may do so.
  • Computer programs are stored on storage media such as floppy disks and CD-ROMs. And stored in a main memory (not shown) in the system controller 54.
  • the system controller 54 executes the computer program to implement a part of the processing of each of the above-described embodiments.
  • the present invention is generally applicable to a printing apparatus of a type that ejects ink droplets, and is applicable to various printing apparatuses other than a color inkjet printer.
  • the present invention can be applied to an ink jet type facsimile apparatus / copy apparatus.
  • the dot missing inspection timing was described only for each pass, but the inspection timing may be set to various other timings during the printing operation for one page. It is possible. For example, it is possible to perform inspection after printing several passes. That is, the present invention is generally applicable to a case where a dot missing inspection is performed during a printing operation for one page.
  • all the nozzles are inspected in one inspection, but only one part of the nozzles may be inspected in one inspection. For example, in one inspection after one scan, about one third of the nozzles of each color may be inspected, and inspection of all nozzles may be completed by three inspections. Also, only the nozzles used in the print job need be inspected. For example, in monochrome printing, only the nozzles for black ink are to be inspected, and in color printing, nozzles for each color are to be inspected. As can be understood from the above description, in general, one dot missing inspection should be performed on at least some of the nozzles used in the print job.
  • the dot missing inspection unit includes at least one dot missing inspection unit. It is sufficient if one is provided.
  • missing dots are conspicuous and some types in which dots are inconspicuous. For example, missing dots are easily noticeable in photographic images, but missing dots are less noticeable in text images containing only characters and graphic images composed of figures and characters such as graphs.
  • a printed image that does not include a photographic image, such as a text image or a graphic image is referred to as a “non-photographic image” in this specification.
  • the complementing operation may not be performed until a predetermined number of nozzles are clogged.
  • information indicating the type of print image may be registered in, for example, the header of print data sent from the computer to the printer.
  • the present invention is applicable to printers and facsimile apparatuses that discharge ink from nozzles.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention permet d'évaluer si une buse en cours d'inspection fonctionne de manière à pouvoir éjecter une gouttelette d'encre, ou si cette buse n'est pas en état de fonctionner et ne peut donc éjecter une gouttelette d'encre, cette évaluation s'effectuant selon qu'une gouttelette d'encre est ou non éjectée de cette buse en cours d'inspection, alors qu'une page est en train d'être imprimée. Si l'on estime que cette buse n'est pas en état de fonctionner, on met en oeuvre une première opération d'ajout, par l'intermédiaire d'une buse en état de marche, afin d'imprimer le point que ladite buse devait imprimer. Cette inspection se déroule à chaque balayage horizontal au cours d'un processus d'impression normal, ou lorsqu'aucune buse n'est défaillante. En revanche, si l'on détecte au cours de cette inspection une buse défaillante, on procède alors au nettoyage d'au moins cette buse. Enfin, si cette buse n'est toujours pas en état de fonctionner après un certain nombre de nettoyages, on peut avoir recours à la première opération d'ajout.
PCT/JP1999/007386 1998-12-25 1999-12-27 Procede d'impression et appareil d'impression pour inspecter des points manquants, et support d'impression pour imprimer ce programme d'inspection WO2000038927A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99961461A EP1065057A4 (fr) 1998-12-25 1999-12-27 Procede d'impression et appareil d'impression pour inspecter des points manquants, et support d'impression pour imprimer ce programme d'inspection
US09/645,508 US6478400B1 (en) 1998-12-25 2000-08-25 Printing method and printer that effect dot dropout inspection and recording medium prerecorded with program therefore

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10/368698 1998-12-25
JP10/368694 1998-12-25
JP36868698A JP3900723B2 (ja) 1998-12-25 1998-12-25 ドット抜け検査方法および印刷装置、並びに、そのためのプログラムを記録した記録媒体
JP36869498 1998-12-25

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WO2000038927A1 true WO2000038927A1 (fr) 2000-07-06

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002019101A (ja) * 2000-05-01 2002-01-23 Canon Inc 記録装置及び記録方法並びに記憶媒体
JP2008105335A (ja) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-08 Seiko Epson Corp 吐出検査装置、吐出検査方法および検査プログラム
JP2010067981A (ja) * 2008-09-10 2010-03-25 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd インクジェット装置を用いた配線印刷方法
JP2015160358A (ja) * 2014-02-27 2015-09-07 セイコーエプソン株式会社 記録装置及び記録方法
US9849669B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2017-12-26 Seiko Epson Corporation Recording method and recording apparatus
JP7459807B2 (ja) 2021-01-18 2024-04-02 カシオ計算機株式会社 印刷装置、印刷制御方法及びプログラム

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JPH0679956A (ja) * 1992-04-27 1994-03-22 Canon Inc プリント装置およびプリント方法
JPH06143548A (ja) * 1992-11-10 1994-05-24 Canon Inc インクジェット記録装置
JPH08187881A (ja) * 1995-01-09 1996-07-23 Canon Inc 印刷方法及びその装置
EP0863004A2 (fr) * 1997-03-04 1998-09-09 Hewlett-Packard Company Corrections dynamiques dans l'impression à passages multiples pour la compensation des buses à jet d'encre défaillantes
JPH10286963A (ja) * 1997-04-15 1998-10-27 Omron Corp 検出装置

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0679956A (ja) * 1992-04-27 1994-03-22 Canon Inc プリント装置およびプリント方法
JPH06143548A (ja) * 1992-11-10 1994-05-24 Canon Inc インクジェット記録装置
JPH08187881A (ja) * 1995-01-09 1996-07-23 Canon Inc 印刷方法及びその装置
EP0863004A2 (fr) * 1997-03-04 1998-09-09 Hewlett-Packard Company Corrections dynamiques dans l'impression à passages multiples pour la compensation des buses à jet d'encre défaillantes
JPH10286963A (ja) * 1997-04-15 1998-10-27 Omron Corp 検出装置

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002019101A (ja) * 2000-05-01 2002-01-23 Canon Inc 記録装置及び記録方法並びに記憶媒体
JP4681751B2 (ja) * 2000-05-01 2011-05-11 キヤノン株式会社 記録装置及び記録方法
JP2008105335A (ja) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-08 Seiko Epson Corp 吐出検査装置、吐出検査方法および検査プログラム
JP2010067981A (ja) * 2008-09-10 2010-03-25 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd インクジェット装置を用いた配線印刷方法
JP2015160358A (ja) * 2014-02-27 2015-09-07 セイコーエプソン株式会社 記録装置及び記録方法
US9849669B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2017-12-26 Seiko Epson Corporation Recording method and recording apparatus
JP7459807B2 (ja) 2021-01-18 2024-04-02 カシオ計算機株式会社 印刷装置、印刷制御方法及びプログラム

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