WO2008056515A1

WO2008056515A1 - Ink jet control device, ink jet control method, ink jet control program and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2008056515A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/070280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katsuhiro Yamamoto; Chiyoshi Yoshioka
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2006-11-10
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Also published as: JP2008119593A

Abstract

Defective pixels (25a) adjacent to each other are extracted based on first region information indicating the shapes, sizes and positions of the defective pixels on a substrate. Then, based on second region information indicating the first region information of each of the defective pixels (25a), ink jet from a nozzle (18) is controlled so that the quantity of an ink to be jetted to a position closer to the boundary between the defective pixels (25a) from the nozzle (18) is smaller than the quantity of the ink to be jetted to a position further from the boundary. Thus, an ink film having a uniform thickness is formed on the substrate.

Description

Specification

Ink ejection control device, ink ejection control method, ink ejection control program, and recording medium

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an ink ejection apparatus that ejects ink onto a medium and a control method thereof, and in particular, ejects ink quickly and accurately to, for example, pixels of a color filter panel. The present invention relates to an ink discharge control device, an ink discharge control method, an ink discharge control program, and a recording medium that can perform high-quality pixel coating.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, ink ejection technology has been diverted not only to consumer printers, but also to color filter panels for liquid crystals (hereinafter also referred to as “CF panels”), and other devices. It is becoming widely used for production equipment, and its uses are diversifying.

As an example, there is an ink jet patterning technique for forming a pattern on a substrate using a technique for ejecting ink. Inkjet patterning technology is a technology that ejects a minute amount of liquid (ink) from an ink ejection device and prints a fine pattern directly on a substrate. This ink jet patterning technology is gaining attention as a technology that can be used in the vacuum removal process instead of the conventional pattern generation method using a vacuum process based on photolithography!

[0004] Development of an ink discharge apparatus for forming a CF panel using an ink jet patterning technique is actively promoted. This ink ejection device lands each pixel by causing inks of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors to land in the RGB pixel area formed on the glass substrate. Fill and form a CF panel. This ink discharge device is used particularly in the manufacture of liquid crystal CF panels, which have been increasingly increasing in area in recent years. As a production device, this ink ejection device is strictly controlled for processing time, and is required to reliably perform processing within a short time within a certain range. . In addition, high-quality panel manufacturing is required for LCD TV applications.

[0005] In addition, the inkjet patterning technology is widely used not only as a full pixel printing technology, but also as a technology for repairing defective pixels such as color mixture caused by contamination or adhesion of impurities. . In the repair method of defective pixels by inkjet patterning technology, when repairing defective pixels due to color mixing of ink between adjacent pixels, the ink layer of the defective pixel where color mixing has occurred is used with a laser device such as Nd: YAG laser. The ink is then repaired by ejecting the specified color ink again to the removed part using ink jet patterning technology.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, as a full surface printing method and a partial pixel restoration method, when a pixel is restored by ejecting ink onto the pixel, unequal intervals are used while shifting ink droplets from the same nozzle. A method for changing the ink discharge start position is disclosed. By this method, it is possible to spread the ink uniformly on the pixels and prevent white spots at the corners of the pixel frame.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication “JP-A-8-327816 (Publication date: December 13, 1996)”

Disclosure of the invention

[0007] However, in the conventional ink ejection device, when ink is ejected to at least two or more adjacent pixels, the region from the low ink solvent atmospheric concentration on the medium is directed to the high ink solvent atmospheric concentration region. As the ink moves, the ink film thickness at the position closest to the boundary between adjacent pixels is thicker than the ink film thickness at the position farthest from the boundary, and the ink film shape of the pixel becomes uneven. . As a result, an ink film with good quality could not be formed in the pixel! /, And! /, Which caused problems!

[0008] In addition, the ink ejection device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to uniformly spread ink on each pixel by controlling the ejection position of the ink ejected from the same nozzle, and at least two or more adjacent ones If the ink film shape of the pixel that occurs when ink is ejected to this pixel becomes non-uniform, there is no disclosure of a method for solving this problem.

[0009] C produced by a production apparatus using the above-described inkjet patterning technology In recent years, liquid crystal display devices equipped with F panels have become increasingly larger. For this reason, it is possible to form a uniform and high-quality film on the substrate, to accurately adjust the position of defective pixels, and to discharge defective pixels so that high-quality images can be obtained. Realizing processing is extremely important for CF panel production equipment!

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to control the ejection of ink according to the arrangement state of at least two or more adjacent pixels, thereby forming a film thickness shape It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ejection device capable of forming an ink film with uniform and good quality on a pixel.

In order to solve the above problems, the ink ejection control device according to the present invention is extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. Based on the second area information representing the shape, size, and position of the adjacent first ink ejection area and second ink ejection area, the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area Discharge amount force of ink ejected to a position farther from the boundary with the ink ejection region The first ink ejection region and the second ink ejection force are larger than the amount of ink ejected to a position closer to the boundary. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling the amount of ink ejected to the ink ejection area.

[0012] Further, in order to solve the above problems, the ink ejection control method according to the present invention is extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. The first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are based on second area information representing the shape, size, and position of the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area that are adjacent to each other. The amount of ink ejected at a position farther from the boundary with the second ink ejection area 1S than the amount of ink ejected at a position closer to the boundary, the first ink ejection area and the first ink ejection area And a control step for controlling the amount of ink ejected to the second ink ejection region.

[0013] According to the configuration described above, the control means performs the input based on the second area information extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. Control the discharge amount of the ink. The second area information represents information on the shape, size, and position of the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area that are adjacent to each other. Information on the position of the second ink discharge area adjacent to the first ink discharge area adjacent to the first ink discharge area can be obtained from the information.

[0014] That is, the control means, based on the second area information, discharge amount force S of the ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area, the boundary The discharge amount of ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is controlled so as to be larger than the discharge amount of the ink discharged to a position closer to.

[0015] Thereby, even if the ink that has landed on the ink discharge area moves to a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low or a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high, the ink film thickness shape is made uniform. Power S can be. In other words, even if the ink force that has landed on the ink discharge area is attracted to the boundary between the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area! The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from this boundary (a position where the ink solvent atmospheric concentration is low) is greater than the amount of ink discharged to a closer position! It is necessary to make the thickness of the ink film uniform as a whole.

In the ink ejection control apparatus according to the present invention, the second region information is output from the region information output unit that outputs the first region information and the first region information that is output from the region information output unit. It is preferable to include an adjacent region extracting means for extracting.

[0017] In the above configuration, the area information output means has a first area information power indicating the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. The first area information is acquired from, for example, an external device or a memory, and the acquired first area information is output. The process of acquiring and outputting the first area information at this time may be executed according to a program describing the process.

[0018] Further, the area information output means is a first unit that represents a shape, a size, and a position of the ink discharge area based on an electric signal output by an image pickup device such as a CCD that picks up an image of the ink discharge area on the medium. One area information may be generated. The process of generating the first area information from the electrical signal representing the imaging pattern of the ink ejection area may be executed according to a program describing the process.

[0019] The adjacent region extraction unit acquires the first region information output by the region information output unit, and By analyzing the first area information, it is determined whether or not at least two ink ejection areas are adjacent to each other. If the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area adjacent to each other are found, the first area information of the at least two ink discharge areas is extracted as the second area information.

[0020] The first region information analysis processing and the second region information extraction processing performed by the adjacent region extraction means may be executed in accordance with a program describing the processing.

In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of nozzles that can move relative to the ink ejection control apparatus and the medium and that can eject ink onto the medium are arranged in a nozzle array. The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the movement direction of the ink discharge means, and the control means includes the first discharge area and the ink discharge means. When the second ink discharge area is adjacent to the ink discharge means so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means, the second ink discharge area is closer to the boundary between the first discharge area and the second discharge area. Discharging to the first discharge area and the second ink discharge area so that the discharge amount of the ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the discharge amount of the discharged ink. Ink ejection droplet And even without least the ejected droplet number preferably controlled one.

[0022] According to the above configuration, when the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means, the control means By controlling the appropriate amount of ink or the number of droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles to the ink ejection area, the ink is ejected to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area. The amount of ink discharged is greater than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to this boundary.

At this time, the nozzle rows provided in the ink discharge means are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. For this reason, by appropriately adjusting at least one of the number of ejected ink droplets and the amount of ejected ink droplets ejected from each of the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle row, the ink ejection amount can be easily controlled. Ink droplets having a uniform film thickness as a whole can be more reliably formed in the region.

In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the ink ejection control apparatus and the medium And a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink to the medium, wherein the nozzle row of the ink ejecting means includes the ink ejecting means. The control means is arranged so that the first ejection area and the second ink ejection area are adjacent to each other in parallel with the movement direction of the ink ejection means. The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary between the first discharge area and the second ink. In addition, it is preferable to control a discharge interval of ink discharged to the first discharge region and the second ink discharge region.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area, which are represented by the second area information, are adjacent to each other in parallel to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. In this case, the control unit controls the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles to the ink discharge region, thereby distant from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region. The amount of ink ejected at a time is made larger than the amount of ink ejected at a position closer to this boundary.

At this time, the nozzle rows provided in the ink discharge means are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means. For this reason, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled by appropriately adjusting the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle row, and the entire thickness of the ink discharge region is uniform. Ink droplets can be more reliably formed.

In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit is located closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink ejection unit. Appropriate amount of ejected liquid and ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle ejecting ink at a position farther from the boundary than at least one of the ejected amount and the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink In order to increase at least one of the numbers, it is preferable to sequentially change at least one of the appropriate amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets to be ejected to the first ejection area and the second ink ejection area in a stepwise manner. Good.

[0028] According to the above configuration, the first ink ejection region and the first ink represented by the second region information When the two ink ejection regions are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink ejection means, the control means includes the first ink ejection area and the first ink among the plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row. At least one of the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink to a position farther from the boundary with the ink ejection area of 2 and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid is ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink closer to this boundary. The amount of ink discharged is controlled so as to be larger than at least one of the number of ink discharged droplets and the appropriate amount of discharged liquid. That is, at least one of the ink discharge positional force S of the nozzle, the number of ink discharge droplets of each nozzle, and the appropriate amount of discharge liquid as the distance from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region increases. Increase gradually step by step.

[0029] In this way, it is easy to increase at least one of the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from each nozzle and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid step by step as the nozzle moves away from the boundary. In addition, the ink discharge amount can be controlled, and ink droplets having a uniform film thickness as a whole can be more reliably formed in the ink discharge region.

[0030] In the ink ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit is located closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink ejection unit. The first discharge region and the first discharge region are arranged such that the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges the ink at a position farther from the boundary is narrower than the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges the ink. It is preferable to change the discharge interval of the ink discharged to the second ink discharge region in a stepwise manner.

[0031] According to the above configuration, the first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection area, which are represented by the second area information, are adjacent to each other in parallel to the moving direction of the ink ejection means. In this case, the control means includes a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row, and includes a plurality of nozzles, and the control unit is configured to supply ink discharged from nozzles that discharge ink to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region. The ink discharge amount is controlled so that the discharge interval becomes wider than the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges the ink to a position closer to the boundary. That is, as the nozzle ink discharge positional force S and the distance from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region are increased, the ink discharge interval of each nozzle is gradually increased stepwise.

[0032] In this way, the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle is determined based on the boundary between the nozzle and the above-mentioned boundary. By gradually increasing the force stepwise, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled, and the ability to more reliably form ink droplets with a uniform film thickness as a whole in the ink discharge region I'll do it.

[0033] An ink ejection control program according to the present invention is an ink ejection control program for operating the ink ejection control device, and the computer functions as each means provided in the ink ejection control device. It is characterized by making it! /

Thus, the computer can function as the ink ejection control apparatus of the present invention.

Thus, it is possible to obtain the operational effects achieved by the ink discharge control apparatus described above.

[0035] A computer-readable recording medium that records the ink ejection control program according to the present invention is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0036] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood from the following description. The advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an ink ejection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a head provided in an ink discharge section in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (b) is a head in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the substrate with the CF panel formed thereon.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which an ink ejection unit repairs a defective pixel on a CF panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the ink film thickness when ink lands on a defective pixel on the CF panel.

FIG. 5 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the ejection amount of ink ejected from the head when ejecting ink to adjacent defective pixels so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing the ejection amount of ink ejected from the head when ejecting ink to defective pixels adjacent in parallel with the moving direction of the head.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of ink ejection control processing by the ink ejection control device of the present invention. It is a chart.

Explanation of symbols

[0038] 1 Ink ejection control device

6 heads (ink ejection means)

8 CF panel (medium)

10 Ink ejection area recognition unit (area information output means)

11 Adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit (adjacent area extraction means)

17 Control unit (control means)

18 nozzles

25a Defective pixel (first ink ejection area, second ink ejection area)

25b Defective pixel (first ink ejection area, second ink ejection area)

100 Ink ejection device

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an ink ejection apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink discharge device 100 includes an ink discharge control device 1, an ink discharge region detection device 2, an ink discharge region data storage device 3, a head drive unit 4, a head moving unit 5, and a head (ink discharge means). 6 and a substrate moving unit 7 are provided.

[0041] Then, the ink discharge control device 1 includes an ink discharge region recognition unit (region information output unit) 10, an adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit (adjacent region extraction unit) 11, an ink discharge order determination unit 12, an ink discharge nozzle A determination unit 13, an ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14, an ink discharge pattern generation unit 15, a head movement signal generation unit 16, and a control unit (control means) 17 are provided. Here, the control unit 17 controls each component of the ink discharge control device 1 described below.

[0042] The ink ejection area detection device 2 is a pixel that is a target area on which ink is ejected on the CF panel (medium) or a defective pixel (first ink ejection area, second ink) generated on the CF panel. Detect the shape, size and position of the (discharge area) and output it as the first area information Alternatively, the first area information that has already been detected is provided to the ink ejection control device 1. More specifically, for example, using a data file obtained from a laser device or the like in advance, the ink ejection region detection device 2 describes the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel. There is a method of outputting information as electronic data. In the following, ink ejection control particularly for defective pixels will be described. The first area information of the defective pixel detected by the ink discharge area detection device 2 is sent to the ink discharge control apparatus 1, and the force used for the ink discharge control is temporarily stored in the ink discharge area data storage device 3. .

The head 6 is for ejecting ink to a plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel, and ejection of the ink is controlled by the head driving unit 4. The head 6 is relatively moved on the CF panel by the head moving unit 5 based on the head moving signal. The head 6 is provided with a plurality of nozzles as nozzle rows for ejecting ink to the CF panel. Details of the ink ejection control of the head 6 will be described later.

[0044] The ink discharge area recognition unit 10 detects or generates the first area information for each of a plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel detected by the ink discharge area detection device 2. . Further, the ink discharge area recognition unit 10 directly acquires the first area information from the ink discharge area detection device 2, or acquires and outputs the first area information stored in the ink discharge area data storage device. May be.

[0045] Alternatively, when the ink discharge area detection device 2 is configured by an imaging element such as a CCD, the ink discharge area recognition unit 10 is based on an electrical signal that is picked up and output from the ink discharge area on the substrate 8. The first area information may be generated. The process of generating the first area information from the electrical signal representing the imaging pattern of the ink ejection area may be executed according to a program describing the process.

[0046] The adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11 is adjacent to each other among the plurality of defective pixels generated on the CF panel based on the first area information recognized or acquired by the ink ejection area recognition unit 10. Defective pixels to be extracted are extracted. The adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11 extracts the first area information of each defective pixel adjacent to each other as the second area information from the first area information. Adjacent to the direction of movement perpendicular to the moving direction, or parallel to the moving direction of the head 6 Judging side by side! /

When there are a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other extracted by the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11, the ink discharge order determination unit 12 has a plurality of adjacent ones recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10. Based on the second area information of the matching defective pixel, the order of repairing each defective pixel is determined. That is, the ink ejection order determination unit 12 minimizes the number of strokes of the head 6 and minimizes the processing time based on information on the shape, size, and position of a plurality of defective pixels adjacent to each other. The order of repairing defective pixels is determined for the purpose.

[0048] The ink ejection nozzle determination unit 13 includes first area information of defective pixels recognized by the ink ejection area recognition unit 10, and second areas of adjacent defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11. Based on the information, it is determined which of the plurality of nozzles provided in the head 6 is to eject ink.

[0049] First, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 is adjacent to the first region information of the defective pixel recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10 and the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11 extracted from each other. Based on the second area information of the defective pixel, the ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13 determines the ink discharge amount from each nozzle that discharges ink by calculation. In other words, in order to increase the ink discharge amount of the nozzle that discharges ink to a position farther than this boundary, the ink discharge amount of the nozzle that discharges ink to a position closer to the boundary between adjacent defective pixels is larger. The ink discharge amount from the nozzle group included in the nozzle row composed of the nozzles is determined. The ink discharge amount can be adjusted by changing the ink discharge interval of the nozzle, the number of ink discharge droplets, or the ink discharge droplet amount.

[0050] More specifically, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 determines these defective pixels based on the second region information of adjacent defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11. Are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6 (see (a) of FIG. 5), the ink is ejected at the interval of ink ejected from the nozzle to the defective pixel. A generally uniform spacing is used for each nozzle. As a result, the positions where the ink ejected a plurality of times from one nozzle lands on the defective pixel are arranged at approximately equal intervals.

[0051] Further, the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 is provided for each of the nozzles that discharge ink. Thus, the number of ejected droplets of ink or the amount of ejected droplets is determined by calculation.

On the other hand, based on the second area information of the defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink discharge area extracting unit 11, the defective pixels are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel with the moving direction of the head 6 ( In case of (b) in FIG. 5), the ink discharge droplet number calculation unit 14 determines the number of ink discharge droplets discharged from the nozzles to the defective pixels and the appropriate amount of the discharge liquid in each of the nozzles that discharge ink. Make uniform. As a result, the amount of ink ejected multiple times from one nozzle reaches the defective pixel is substantially uniform.

[0053] Further, the ink discharge droplet number calculating section 14 discharges from each nozzle so that the landing position of the ink droplet landing on the CF panel can be adjusted for each of the nozzles that discharge ink. The ink discharge interval is determined by calculation.

The ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 calculates the position information of the defective pixels recognized by the ink discharge region recognition unit 10, the repair order of the defective pixels determined by the ink discharge order determination unit 12, and the number of ink discharge droplets This is for generating an ink ejection pattern based on the ink ejection droplet amount, the number of ejection droplets, and the ejection interval determined by the unit 14.

The ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 generates ink for generating a drive signal to be supplied to the head drive unit 4 based on the second region information for one adjacent defective pixel region! A discharge pattern is generated. That is, when there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, a plurality of ink ejection patterns are generated based on the second area information of each defective pixel area.

[0056] When there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, the head movement signal generation unit 16 uses the second area information of these defective pixels and the defective pixels determined by the ink ejection order determination unit 12. Based on the repair order, a movement signal for moving the head 6 and the substrate 8 relative to each other is generated, and the movement signal is supplied to the head moving unit 5 or the substrate moving unit 7.

The order in which the plurality of ink ejection patterns are used is based on the ejection order determined by the ink ejection order determination unit 12. In other words, the ink discharge pattern generation unit 15 generates a drive signal from the ink discharge pattern generated for the adjacent defective pixel as a target in accordance with the discharge order determined by the ink discharge order determination unit 12 to drive the head. Supply to part 4.

FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the head 6, and FIG. 2 (b) shows the head 6 and the head 6 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a substrate 8 (CF panel) on which ink is ejected from each nozzle 18 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head 6 includes a nozzle 18, a casing 19, a nozzle plate 20, an ink discharge hole 21 and a piezoelectric member 22, and contains ink in the casing 19. . The number of nozzles 18 does not correspond to the number of nozzles 18 in FIG. 3, but the number of nozzles 18 is four for convenience of explanation.

Specifically, the opening of the housing 19 is prevented by the nozzle plate 20. The nozzle plate 20 is provided with nozzles 18 at a predetermined interval. The nozzle 18 has an ink discharge hole 21 having a diameter of about 20 m. A piezoelectric member 22 is provided inside the housing 19 so as to form an ink flow path 23. When ink is ejected from the nozzle 18 to the substrate 8, the piezoelectric member 22 vibrates in accordance with the applied voltage, so that the ink droplet 24 from the nozzle 18 to the substrate 8 along the ink flow path 23. Discharged.

[0061] Note that, when ink jet is continuously used, the nozzles may become non-ejection nozzles due to changes in the head and ink over time. Here, a non-ejection nozzle is a nozzle that has become unable to eject ink due to contamination of foreign matter in the nozzle, or an ejection failure accuracy that exceeds the specified range. A nozzle that has fallen into a stable discharge state. In that case, in general, non-discharge recovery processing such as prime processing and wiping processing is performed so as to achieve a stable discharge state.

FIG. 3 shows a part of defective pixels that are scattered on the CF panel 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the head 6 includes a blue (B) head 6B in which a plurality of nozzles 18 for discharging blue ink are provided as nozzles IJ, and a plurality of nozzles for discharging green ink. A green (G) head 6G provided with a nozzle 18 as a nozzle row and a plurality of nozzles 18 for discharging red ink are constituted by a red (R) head 6R provided as a nozzle row. . Here, the nozzle rows of the heads 6 of the respective colors are provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the heads 6! /.

On the CF panel 8, blue (B) pixels 9B, green (G) pixels 9G, red (R) pixels 9R force are provided in a predetermined arrangement. In FIG. 3, the head 6 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. The defective pixel 25a is arranged adjacent to a position orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6, and the defective pixel 25b is adjacent to a position parallel to the moving direction of the head 6. It is in a state where they are lined up.

[0064] The defective pixel 25a is a defective pixel in which a blue (B) defective pixel and a blue (B) defective pixel are adjacent to each other. The defective pixel 25b is a defective pixel in which a blue (B) defective pixel and a red (R) defective pixel are adjacent to each other. For the defective pixel 25a, ink is ejected using the blue head 6B. Specifically, among the nozzles 18 arranged in a row in the blue head 6B, based on the position and size of the pixel of the defective pixel 25a, a plurality of nozzles 18 that have been damaged ij are used. Ink droplets 24 are ejected to the defective pixel 25a at regular intervals.

On the other hand, for the defective pixel 25b, ink is ejected using the blue head 6B and the red head 6R. Specifically, among the nozzles 18 arranged in the first IJ of the blue head 6B and the red head 6R, the harmful IJ is applied based on the position and size of the defective pixel 25b. Ink droplets 24 are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 18 to the defective pixel 25b at regular ejection intervals.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) ink corresponding to each pixel color of the CF panel are used as the ink to be used. The heads 6B′6G′6R are provided so as to be separated from each other so that the inks do not mix inside each other, and the ink ejection can be controlled independently of each other. The pixels of the CF panel have a substantially rectangular area shape, and the inside of the pixels filled with ink is hydrophilized so that the ink spreads well, and the ink flows into adjacent pixels around the pixels. Water repellent treatment is applied so that adjacent pixels are separated!

[0067] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink film thickness in the pixel long side direction of the defective pixel 25a after several seconds have passed since the head 6 ejected ink to the defective pixel 25a in FIG. 3 (A in FIG. 3). — Α '). The pixels (9B, 25a) are separated by a black matrix 26. As shown in Fig. 4, the thickness of the ink ejected into the pixel of the defective pixel 25a becomes thicker near the boundary surface between adjacent pixels, and becomes thinner away from it! / Natsute! / In other words, since the ink that has landed on the substrate 8 moves from a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low to a position where the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high, the film thickness of the defective pixel 25a is not uniform as a whole. . The configuration of the ink ejection apparatus 100 of the present invention that can solve the problem of the difference in ink film thickness that occurs when ink lands is described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows the ejection of ink ejected from the head 6 when ejecting ink to the defective pixel 25a in FIG. 3, that is, the defective pixel adjacent to the defective pixel 25a perpendicular to the moving direction of the head 6. It is explanatory drawing which shows quantity. (B) in FIG. 5 shows the ejection amount of ink ejected from the head 6 when ejecting ink to the defective pixel 25b in FIG. 3, that is, the defective pixel adjacent in parallel to the moving direction of the head 6. It is explanatory drawing shown. In FIG. 5, the head 6 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the defective pixels 25a are arranged adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6, the defective pixels 25a are in the vicinity of the adjacent boundary surface. The number of liquid droplets discharged from the nozzle 18 and the appropriate amount of liquid discharged are controlled so that the amount of liquid discharged from the nozzle 18 that discharges water is minimized. Then, the number of ejected liquid droplets from the plurality of nozzles 18 and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid are sequentially increased stepwise so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 18 increases as the distance from the boundary surface between adjacent defective pixels 25a increases. To control.

[0070] That is, at the position closest to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25a, the ejection of ink from each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the appropriate number of discharged liquid and the appropriate amount of discharged liquid are minimized, and the defect is detected. At the position farthest from the boundary surface between the pixels 25a, the ejection of ink from each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the number of ejected ink droplets and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid are maximized. At this time, the discharge interval of the ink discharged from the nozzle 18 to the defective pixel 25a is set to a substantially uniform interval in each of the nozzles that discharge the ink.

Here, the head 6 is provided with a nozzle row including nozzles 18 so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the ink droplet amount and the number of droplets ejected from each nozzle 18 provided in the head 6, the ink ejection amount can be easily controlled and ejected to the defective pixel 25a. In addition, the ink film thickness can be made uniform as a whole. Thus, even if the ink force after landing on the defective pixel 25a is attracted to a position closer to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25a, the discharge amount force S of the ink discharged to a position farther from this boundary surface, Since the amount of ink ejected to a position closer to the boundary surface is larger, the ink film thickness after landing on the defective pixel 25a can be made uniform as a whole. This As a result, clear pixels without color unevenness can be obtained, and a high-quality CF panel 8 can be manufactured.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the defective pixels 25b are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel with the moving direction of the head 6, each nozzle 18 corresponds to each defective pixel 25b. The number of ejected droplets and the amount of droplets of ink ejected from the nozzles are made constant, and the ejection interval of the ink ejected from each nozzle 18 is controlled to be changed sequentially. Specifically, first, as the head 6 approaches the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, control is performed such that the ejection intervals of the ink ejected from the nozzles 18 are sequentially reduced. Next, as the head 6 moves away from the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, control is performed so that the ejection intervals of the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles 18 are gradually increased step by step.

That is, at the position closest to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the discharge interval of the discharged ink becomes the smallest, and the position farthest from the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b. , Each nozzle 18 is controlled so that the discharge interval of the discharged ink becomes the widest. At this time, the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected from the nozzle 18 to the defective pixel 25b and the appropriate amount of ejected liquid are made substantially uniform in each of the nozzles 18 ejecting ink.

Here, the head 6 is provided with a nozzle row composed of nozzles 18 so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the head 6. For this reason, the ink discharge amount can be easily controlled by appropriately adjusting the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle 18 provided in the head 6, and the film thickness of the ink discharged to the defective pixel 25b can be controlled. The shape can be made uniform as a whole. In this way, the ink force after landing on the defective pixel 25b Even if ink is attracted to a position closer to the boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b, the ink discharge amount force discharged to a position farther from this boundary surface Since S is larger than the amount of ink ejected at a position closer to the boundary surface, the ink film thickness after landing on the defective pixel 25b can be made uniform as a whole. As a result, clear pixels with no color unevenness can be obtained, and a high-quality CF panel 8 can be manufactured.

Further, in FIG. 5B, the discharge interval of the ink discharged from each nozzle 18 is made constant, and each head becomes closer as the head 6 approaches the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b. The droplet size of the ink ejected from the nozzle 18 is controlled so as to decrease gradually, and the ink droplet size ejected from each nozzle is adjusted as the head 6 moves away from the adjacent boundary surface between the defective pixels 25b. You may control so that it may become large sequentially. It is necessary to change the ratio of changing the droplet size and the droplet size of the ejected ink depending on the pixel size, the distribution of defective pixels in the substrate 8, the wettability of the substrate 8, the physical properties of the ink, and the like.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the flow of the ink discharge control process by the ink discharge control device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of ink discharge control processing by the ink discharge control device.

First, the ink ejection area recognition unit 10 acquires first area information for defective pixels on the CF panel 8 from the ink ejection area detection device 2 or the ink ejection area data storage device 3 (step S600). . Subsequently, the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 receives the first region information from the ink ejection region recognition unit 10, confirms (analyzes) the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel (step S601), Based on the shape, size, and position of the defective pixel confirmed in step S601, it is determined whether there is a defective pixel adjacent to each other (step S602). In step S602, when the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11 determines that there is no defective pixel adjacent to each other (No), the ink discharge control process is ended.

On the other hand, when the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 determines in step S602 that there are defective pixels adjacent to each other (Yes), whether or not there are a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other is determined. ! / Hurry to judge (step S603).

[0079] In step S603, when the adjacent ink discharge region extraction unit 11 determines that there are not a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other (No), the ink discharge nozzle determination unit 13 sets the nozzle 18 that discharges the ink. Determine (step S605). On the other hand, in step S603, when the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 determines that there are a plurality of combinations of defective pixels adjacent to each other (Yes), the ink ejection order determination unit 12 combines the plurality of defective pixels. The order in which ink is ejected is determined (step S604), and the nozzle 18 for ejecting ink is determined by the ink ejection nozzle determining unit 13 for the defective pixel combination with the earliest order (step S605).

[0080] Next, in step S605, the appropriate number of ink discharge liquid calculation units determine ink discharge. Further, the ejection amount of the ink ejected from each nozzle 18 is determined according to the ink ejection control method of the present invention already described (step S606). Then, the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15 generates an ink ejection pattern (step S607).

At this time, when there are a plurality of combinations of adjacent defective pixels, the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15 receives the second area information corresponding to each combination from the adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11, and The ink discharge pattern may be generated at once for the defective pixels.

Further, the head movement signal generation unit 16 is a head movement signal for moving the head 6 relative to the substrate 8 based on the ink ejection pattern generated by the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15. Is generated (step S608).

[0083] The head moving unit 5 or the substrate moving unit 7 relatively moves the head 6 or the substrate 8 to the defective pixel to be ejected of ink based on the head moving signal generated by the head moving signal generating unit. (Step S609). After moving the head 6 onto the defective pixel that is the target area for ink ejection, the head drive unit 4 turns on / off the nozzle 18 based on the ink ejection pattern generated by the ink ejection pattern generation unit 15. A head drive signal to be turned off is generated, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 18 (step S610).

Next, the control unit 17 determines whether ink has been ejected to all adjacent defective pixels extracted by the adjacent ink ejection region extraction unit 11 (step S611). If it is determined in step S611 that ink is still being ejected! /, No! /, And there is a defective pixel (No), the processing in steps S605 to S611 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6i that ink has been ejected to all defective pixels adjacent to each other (Yes), the ink ejection control process is terminated.

As described above, in the ink ejection control device of the present invention, it is possible to set an appropriate ink ejection amount based on the arrangement of the ink ejection target region, so that clear pixels without color unevenness are obtained. Can produce high-quality CF panels.

Further, the embodiment of the ink ejection control apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, that is, a mode for repairing defective pixels generated in the CF panel. An electoric luminescence (EL) display device having a plurality of ejected parts arranged in a matrix or a stripe. The present invention can also be applied to manufacturing. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to the manufacture of a back substrate of a plasma display device, and the present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of an image display device including an electron-emitting device and the manufacture of wiring. Can be applied.

[0087] In other words, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope indicated in the claims. That is, the embodiment obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope of the claims also depends on the technical scope of the present invention.

[0088] Finally, each block of the ink ejection control device 1, in particular, the ink ejection area recognition unit 10, the adjacent ink ejection area extraction unit 11, and the control unit 17 may be configured by hardware logic! It can also be realized by software using a CPU as follows!

That is, the ink ejection control device 1 develops a CPU (central processing unit) that executes a command of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and an upper program. RAM (random access memory, self-program, and storage device (recording medium) such as memory for storing various data, etc.) The object of the present invention is software that implements the functions described above. A recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of an ink ejection control device 1 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer is supplied to the ink ejection control device 1 and the computer. CPU or MPU) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium. The

[0090] Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. A disk system including an optical disk, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM can be used.

[0091] Further, the ink ejection control device 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. This communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. can be used. In addition, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even an IEEE1394, USB, power line carrier, Cape No. TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc. can be used as an infrared ray such as IrDA or a remote control device. , Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite circuit, terrestrial digital network, etc. can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above-described program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0092] (Other configurations)

In addition, this invention can also be expressed as follows.

[0093] (First configuration)

An ink ejection apparatus comprising a head that is movable relative to a medium and has a plurality of nozzles that are capable of ejecting ink to the medium as a nozzle row, wherein the ink ejection apparatus includes the medium Ink discharge area recognition means for recognizing the shape or size of the ink discharge target scattered in the area, and adjacent ink target extraction means for extracting the ink discharge target adjacent to the ink discharge target based on the discharge area recognition means An ink ejection apparatus comprising: changing the ejection amount into each ejection region according to the extracted arrangement state of each ink ejection target.

[0094] (Second configuration)

The ink discharge device is characterized in that, in the region, the amount of liquid droplets discharged is reduced when the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is high, and the amount of liquid droplets discharged is increased when the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is low. The ink ejection device according to the first configuration.

[0095] (Third configuration)

When the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is inclined so as to be orthogonal to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction) due to the arrangement on the adjacent ink discharge target medium, each nozzle that discharges to the ink discharge target When the number of discharges or the discharge amount is changed and the head is inclined in the same direction with respect to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction), the discharge amount is changed depending on the discharge interval from each nozzle. Ink ejection described in the first or second configuration apparatus.

[0096] (Fourth configuration)

An ink ejection control method comprising a head that is movable relative to a medium and that is provided with a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the medium as a nozzle row, the ink ejection control method comprising: An ink discharge region recognition step for recognizing the shape or size of the ink discharge target scattered in the medium, and an adjacent ink for extracting an ink discharge target adjacent to the ink discharge target based on the discharge region recognition step; An ink ejection control method comprising a target extraction step, wherein the ejection amount into each ejection region is changed in accordance with the arrangement state of each extracted ink ejection target.

[0097] (Fifth configuration)

In the region, the ink discharge control method decreases the amount of liquid droplets discharged toward the higher ink solvent atmosphere concentration and increases the amount of liquid droplets discharged toward the lower ink solvent atmosphere concentration. The ink ejection control method according to the first configuration, which is characterized.

[0098] (Sixth configuration)

When the ink solvent atmosphere concentration is inclined so as to be orthogonal to the head moving direction (main scanning direction) due to the arrangement on the adjacent ink discharge target medium, the nozzles that discharge to the ink discharge target When the number of discharges or the discharge amount is changed and the head is inclined in the same direction with respect to the head traveling direction (main scanning direction), the discharge amount is changed depending on the discharge interval from each nozzle. The ink discharge control method according to the first or second configuration.

The ink ejection control apparatus according to the present invention controls the ejection amount of ink to be ejected after extracting the arrangement of the ink ejection regions in the ink ejection region as described above. As a result, even if the ink after landing is attracted to a position closer to the boundary between the adjacent ink ejection areas in the ink ejection area, the ejection amount force S of the ink ejected to a position farther from this boundary, Since it is larger than the amount of ink ejected at a position closer to the boundary, it is possible to make the film thickness shape of the ink landed on the ink ejection region uniform as a whole. As a result, it is possible to form an ink film with good quality on the medium. [0100] The specific embodiments or examples made in the detailed description section of the invention have so far clarified the technical contents of the present invention. The present invention should not be construed in a narrow sense, but only by way of example, and can be carried out in various ways within the spirit of the present invention and within the scope of the following claims. .

Industrial applicability

The ink ejection control device of the present invention can be applied to repair defective pixels generated in a color filter panel. In addition, the ink ejection device of the present invention can be applied to the manufacture of an electro-luminescence (EL) display device having a plurality of ejection target parts arranged in a matrix or stripe. Furthermore, the ink ejection control device of the present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of a back substrate of a plasma display device, the manufacture of an image display device equipped with electron-emitting devices, and the manufacture of wiring.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] The first and second ink ejection areas adjacent to each other, which are extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. Based on the second region information that represents the shape, size, and position of the region,

The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary. An ink discharge control apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a discharge amount of ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region.

[2] area information output means for outputting the first area information;

2. The ink ejection according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjacent area extracting unit that extracts the second area information from the first area information output by the area information output unit. Control device.

[3] The ink ejection control device according to claim 1 or 2, and

A plurality of nozzles that are movable relative to the medium and that are capable of ejecting ink to the medium;

The nozzle row of the ink discharge means is provided so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means,

The control means, when the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink discharge means,

The amount of ink discharged at a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged at a position closer to the boundary between the first discharge region and the second ink discharge region.

An ink ejecting apparatus that controls at least one of an ejected droplet amount and a number of ejected droplets of ink ejected to the first ink ejecting region and the second ink ejecting region.

[4] The ink ejection control device according to claim 1 or 2, and

It can move relative to the medium and can eject ink onto the medium. An ink discharge means provided with a plurality of nozzles as a nozzle row,

The control means, when the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area are adjacent to each other in parallel with the moving direction of the ink discharge means,

The amount of ink discharged to a position farther from the boundary is larger than the amount of ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary between the first ink discharge region and the second ink. ,

An ink discharge apparatus that controls a discharge interval of ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region.

[5] The control means discharges from a nozzle force that discharges ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink discharge means. At least one of the appropriate amount of ejected ink and the number of ejected droplets discharged from the nozzle that ejects ink to a position farther from the boundary is larger than at least one of the appropriate amount of ejected ink and the number of ejected droplets. The at least one of an appropriate amount of ejected liquid and the number of ejected droplets of ink ejected to the first ink ejecting region and the second ink ejecting region is sequentially changed stepwise. The ink discharge device according to item 3.

[6] The control unit is configured to supply ink discharged from a nozzle that discharges ink to a position closer to the boundary in a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles included in the nozzle row provided in the ink discharge unit. The ink discharged from the nozzle that discharges ink to a position farther from the boundary than the discharge interval is narrower, and the ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region is narrower. 5. The ink discharge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the discharge interval is changed in a stepwise manner.

[7] The first ink ejection area and the second ink ejection that are adjacent to each other, extracted based on the first area information representing the shape, size, and position of the ink ejection area on the medium. Based on the second region information that represents the shape, size, and position of the region,

At a position farther from the boundary between the first ink discharge area and the second ink discharge area Discharge of ink discharged to the first ink discharge region and the second ink discharge region so that the discharge amount of the discharged ink is larger than the discharge amount of the ink discharged to a position closer to the boundary. An ink discharge control method comprising a control step of controlling the amount.

[8] An ink discharge control program for operating the ink discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2,

An ink discharge control program for causing a computer to function as each means included in the ink discharge control device.

[9] A computer-readable recording medium on which the ink ejection control program according to claim 8 is recorded.